Mandy Rain - "Riot" Single

If you're looking for a song to dance to, a song to unite to, a song to get crazy to - take a listen to pop artist, Mandy Rain.  Her single "Riot" dropped in February, and it's a pop dance sound that will get you dancing to the beat.
One of my favorite parts of the song is the interesting chord degression (if you will) with the lyrics:
"Why don't you move it like you stole it, Take it like you own it, Touch it if you want it."
The way the music and the melody descends in half steps with the music breaking down in the background sounds really good together.
Mandy's got herself a solid set of pipes, but I feel like she could have showcased it more in this song.  There were moments - especially in the bridge - where I felt like her vocals could have soared and pushed the song into its own riot-like break down but they didn't quite make it for me.  Regardless though, the girl is talented and I can't wait to hear more from her!
"Riot" is available on iTunes.

Wrecking Ball Cover Music Video

HELLO EVERYONE!  Been busy with a lot of stuff, but here is one exciting thing happening today!  My release of my cover music video of Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball!"  Check it out and share it with all your friends and family!  (:
BIG THANK YOUS to: Director | Director of Photography | Editor: Myles Beltran
Music | Gaffer: Joshua Duggan
Special Thanks: Matthew Speer

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

Lucy Hale - "You Sound Good to Me" Single Review

Anyone who knows me knows that Lucy Hale is one of my female crushes, and I’ve been anxiously anticipating her first music single.  I’m not gonna lie: it took me by surprise because I was not expecting a country single.  When I saw her in Another Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song I thought she’d be geared toward pop music.  Usually I’m not a big fan of country, but I love Lucy so I gave it a listen.  I like it…for a country single.  It’s catchy – already got the melody stuck in my head – and I love the overarching metaphor for a guy being like a song that “sounds good to me.”  One of the things I listen for vocally is an outstanding vocal run that usually occurs in the last chorus, but I was a little let down because I didn’t hear anything.  Overall, Lucy sounds like a countrified version of Victoria Justice minus the crazy vocals.  As far as music goes, just like the music video (below), it’s a song you can jam to while cruising down a bare and windy road.

“You Sound Good to Me” is available for purchase and download on iTunes, which I just did, and is already #1 on the country charts!  Check it out!

I See Stars - Murder Mitten Music Video

Alcohol drinkers beware: I See Stars’ music video for “Murder Mitten” will sober you up (see video below).  The Michigan boys never fail to deliver intense and engaging music videos, and this one is no exception.  They incorporate messages with these videos instead of focusing on flashy and ostentatious aesthetics, which I give them much respect for.

When I saw I See Stars on Halloween, Devin introduced “Murder Mitten” with a little bit of a personal background about him and Andrew Oliver’s mother being an alcoholic.  “Murder Mitten” focuses on the repercussions of their mother’s addiction by the interweaving of home video footage of them as kids and camera cuts of their mother drinking and losing sight of what’s important.  It’s an emotionally driven video that will leave you struck by the end.  Everything happens so fast that you barely have time to process everything.  Essentially, the video puts your life into perspective for a moment because at the end of the video, after witnessing an intense rush of emotion, Devin and Andrew leave a post-script message that inspires hope for everything we do, which is a nice ending sentiment.

Breathe Carolina - "Savages"

Breathe Carolina released their first single post-Kyle Evens leaving the group titled "Savages." I was genuinely very curious to see how David Schmitt would progress the band with a new crew behind him.

If you're looking for a song to dance to in your room while you're getting ready to go out for a night of partying, "Savages" is for you. Overall, it is a decent song with a catchy chorus, however, the track unfortunately feels empty without Kyle. The song emulates a pure electronic/dance feel to it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing because everyone loves moving to pumping beats, but it's not the same Breathe Carolina I'm used to rocking out to. In comparison to past musical works, even instrumentally, "Savages" loses the rock and music breakdown vibe the band normally transcends to audiences, which is disappointing.  I can't even picture the song being performed in a concert venue setting because it sounds like another generic club song.

"Savages" can be streamed on Breathe's website and is available for purchase on iTunes.

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