Dylan Dunlap - Another Holiday [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The holidays are coming soon and given the stress of this past year the season will no doubt bring out increased emotional pain for some folks. This is not a new phenomenon, but could be more acute this year.

Dylan Dunlap gives us a melancholic track about this very thing and despite being a sad song, sometimes listening to such is exactly what we need so that we can understand we are not alone. ‘Another Holiday’ is a track that won’t necessarily uplift but can make you feel understood. Addressing the feelings of sadness is important as well so embrace your sadness if you need to and speak out f need be as the season descends upon us. Dylan Dunlap delivers a genuine emotional track that is relatable for so many of us. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Krooked Tongue - Different Breed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Straight out of the UK, Krooked Tongue comes in with hard guitars driven sound until the softer vocal bring home the point of this protest song. The world is pissed off and fed up with the status quo of political and financial inequality and this track addresses that anger and attitude in full on Rock glory!”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Maella - Melting Butter [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Coming at you with an alluring, almost sinister charm, Maella seduces the listener with a smooth vocal delivery that invites you in before the darker emotions grab your heart and squeeze.

’Melting Butter’ is a brooding track that for me conjured thoughts of a time in Rock music when grit and passion overshadowed glossy production and million dollar smiles.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Loudmouth Lisa - Ata Corina [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Straight up rock guitar, like you rarely hear these days ,ushers in this track which offers a unique sound and delivery style to lay out the wryly sharp lyrics. You could call this metal for the jaded thinking man, or supercharged Rock and Roll for those unafraid to take a stimulating lyrical journey into the minds of the pissed off and the fed up.

Maybe those are one and the same, but Loudmouth Lisa is clearly a band that doesn’t really give a shit what you call their message — long as you heed the words.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Blame My Youth - Fantastic [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“In a time when much of the music is about angst and tension, this track offers a nice contradiction. Although they are delivered with the edge and passion usually reserved for anger, the lyrics of this track are actually quite positive and it is refreshing to hear such a big bold declaration in pure Rock glory. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Enok Amrani - Brother [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The slow and melancholic build here is mesmerizing. Enok Amrani write this song over a two year period as his way to make a statement about drug addiction and the emotional toll. Released for World Overdose Awareness Day, the track is meant to be a reminder to those struggling that they do not have to make the walk alone.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Veridia - Light It Up [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming straight at you with an infectious brand of energy, Veridia demands your attention with their latest single, ‘Light It Up.’ Sometimes the best thing I can do is get out of the way and provide a link to the tracka nd a quote from the artists, so here you go ...

’Our new single, “Light it Up” is about being inspired by those brave enough to speak up and take action against injustice and advocating for human rights with love and grace. This song isn’t condoning violence or literal arson, it’s about our internal, metaphorical fires of compassion and strength that spark real change. It was inspired by the resilient people in my personal life and those who strive and hope every day for a more unified tomorrow... .’ ~ Deena Jakoub”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Nothing but a Nightmare - Problems Being Cool [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A pure Rock anthem for anyone that has ever had trouble playing it cool.

Nothing but a Nightmare delivers an energetic true rock sound, and their latest single ‘Problems Being Cool’ defies the traditional cliches of the genre, to bring forth a track with both heart and grit. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Confetti - People Suck (2020 Remix) [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“True to their name, Confetti comes at you with a party song. ‘People Suck’ might not be a conventional party song, but then there hasn’t been a damn thing conventional about 2020, so perhaps this is the party song we all need right now.

This track is easy to belt out and song along with, and despite the revelry in style, it comes with some serious observations and thoughts.

Cue this up as a barroom anthem for the day we can all gather together and drink once again.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LACES - worship [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“LACES once performed to success under the name Charlotte Sometimes, but a series of life events and personal decisions have led to her burying that name, both literally and figuratively.

In more ways than one, ‘worship’ represents a rebirth, and in the dark moodiness of a stellar vocal performance, lurks an emotion and depth that breaths life into this track, as well as the new direction of LACES renewed career.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

HOLY FIELD- N.E.W. METAL [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Is it Link Park, no Its Holy Field!!!

”Holy Field is a group of six talented individuals from four corners of the globe and their new song is wild.
Usually metal music can take over the artist’s vocals but N.E.W Metal is a blend of cinematic sound, big guitar riffs, snappy rhythmic sessions and thick bass. In light of social distancing and isolation the group still managed to be creative musically and visually. They are seen in a wide open field with a birds eye view as they performed in their version of ‘HOLY FIELD.’”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Ali George - Melanie Brown [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ali George gives us a solid Murder Ballad with the track “Melanie Brown.’ There is a Southern Rock sound to this track, though the Folk influence lurks there in the shadows as well.

The lyrics tell the fictitious tale of a young man who falls in love with a hired girl and then becomes jealous of her exploits with others.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Evening's Empire - Movies (Who I Really Am) [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Evening’s Empire has captured the Indie Rock vibe and sound and distilled it into an engaging first single from their upcoming album, Alive For Us.

There are definitely hints of Springsteen here, though the track has its own vibe musically that makes it stand alone with a sound that grips you as it builds into an emotional crescendo. ‘Movies (Who I Really Am)’ is as the band says ... about the resolve to hold on to the parts of life that make it worth living.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Eddy Lee Ryder - Expected to Fly [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bringing a vintage sound to her vocals, Eddy Lee Ryder breathes new life into the fem-dom of Rock and Roll with a sound that hints at Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett. But the influence of Springsteen and Petty is lurking there as well, making this a pure return to the glory days of the big bold emotional rock ballad. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Color Fields - Animal [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The imagery of the video tells a more direct story than perhaps the lyrics would by themselves, but this track has the musical chops to stand on its own as well. With a darkly alluring vibe and silky, yet sinister, vocal groove, ‘Animal’ takes us beyond the facade we often put up to what lurks deep inside. Of course sometimes the elements of ourselves we bury are the truest and best parts of ourselves. And the very parts others are desperately hoping to discover ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dallas Thornton - Dance Till We Die [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Dallas Thornton is an entertainer in every possible way and that is evident in the rocking sweeping performance of his vocals, as well as his theatrics in the video that comes with this track. I mean this in the best possible way, but if Pauly Shore had a baby with Lady Gaga, I imagine the result would grow up to look a lot like this video.

This is anthem, a Rock celebration, an energetic stomp across the musical stage. So have fun, break out the air guitar, and the imaginary microphone and let yourself join in as we ‘Dance Till We Die.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Todays Youth - Feel It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is an uplifting genre bender that hints at Reggae, Pop, and a vintage Rock sound without ever fully committing to any well-defined genre. The single brigns a big sweeping vibe that almost reminded me of ‘We Are The World’ in its message and spirit.

The vintage message at the end of the video is a nice touch that brings the lyrics home quite well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ivan Beecroft - The Candyman [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dark and dangerous look at drug addiction, ‘The Candyman’ uses a 90’s era beat and sound to deliver a warning about your friendly neighbor hood drug dealer.

Rock vocals that feel sticky and gritty deliver the goods on this track which feels almost apocalyptic. The imagery of the video adds an entire layer to the vibe of this track. Together the package puts a tangible spin on an untouchable dilemma.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Caity Krone - Thank You for the Sunday Paper [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There is no day quite as lonely as a Sunday. Something about the end of the weekend, and a the quiet stillness inherent in the day begets reflection and induces that Sunday Sadness.

Caity Krone taps into that with ‘Thank You for the Sunday Paper,’ a true songwriters lament of love gone away. The slow melodic build fits perfect with the emotion of the lyrics, and her performance brings it all home by making you truly feel this song in every word and note. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hövring - Revolution [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Perhaps the ‘Revolution’ in question is one to return to a time when Rock music was loud and fast and carried an edge. If so, HÖVRING is one of the leaders of the charge.

This track is simply pure old school Rock and Roll. Straight out of Denmark this single brings the drums sound you’d expect, the front man energy you need, and of course, an attitude that leaves you ready to challenge the world.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)