Cody Jasper Self-Titled Album Review

I’m not gonna lie: when I read the name Cody Jasper, I thought of the pop music genre – thank you, Cody Simpson.  I didn’t do any background research or anything and simply listened to the album raw, and to my surprise, Jasper’s got a rock and soul thing going on.

Overall, the tracks blend together and sound similar with the same generic song progression – guitar riffs and drum beats – but Jasper’s vocals outshine them both.  Most of the album exudes a slow rock sound with raspy, rough vocals that are entertaining and sometimes sexy.  However, his vocals really got me in his ballads, “Mona Lisa” and “Holy Water.”  He sings with a nice deep crisp sound that makes you feel the emotion and passion behind his words, which break your heart.

The album shows two caricatures of Jasper.  On one hand he can be the raunchy lustful lover, talking about drugs and sex, but on the other, he can be a sweet and heartfelt lover, yearning for your touch. 6/10

Album Review: I See Stars - New Demons

New Demons is a treat for old and new fans alike. Old fans will love the progression and growth of the Michigan-natives delivering a promised heavier album while new fans will be delighted to discover an electrocore band with panache. They excel in combining a hardcore and electronic sound to blend well naturally, however, many of the breakdowns interwoven with dubstep sound contrived. The band is notable for their rebellious demeanor, angry at world’s authority, but tracks such as “New Demons,” “We Are Not in Kansas Anymore” and “Boris the Animal” delve into dark depths of the mind and reflect on personal feelings with honest and confrontational lyrics. 8/10

Album Review - Travis Garland's Self-Titled Album

After two years in the making, Travis Garland released his self-titled full-length album this week.  A much anticipated album by fans – they’ve been fed small portions of it through singles and his Fashionably Late EP.  Overall, the album goes for a mature sound with a sexy and seductive theme underlying each track – the “explicit” and "Parental Advisory" tags don't lie.  Garland’s strongest suit is the collection of crooning ballads such as “Where to Land,” “Motel Pool,” and “Blue Electric Roses” showcasing his falsetto range and evoking a sense of intimacy felt between two lovers.  The tracks “Easy,” “Pulling My Hair,” and “Neighbor” delve deeper into the sexy/seductive theme with suggestive lyrics that relay feelings of fatal attraction, which make you want to dance.  Garland's sound and voice have been compared to Justin Timberlake, including claims from Entertainment Weekly, and this resemblance can be heard in “AllSheWannaDo” featuring Casey Veggies and “Homewrecker.”  Originally, Garland’s music career began in the pop realm, but I think he’s found his niche in R&B and he should stick to it.  8/10