When Skies Are Gray by When Skies Are Gray

/when skies are gray by when skies are gray\

1. Her face in the grass

2. We passed each other quietly 

3. Wayfarer

4. Bloodletting

5. The widows walk

6. The things I once cherished, now indiferrent

7. Subdue and consume 

8. The tundra of my heart, my tired frozen heart

9. It's certain that I'm dying

10. Renoir, 1920

Dark emo violence// melodic emo pop punk outfit, When Skies Are Gray, shows off it's gritty, teeth grinding emotion that brings your blood to a depressing boil. The cathartic yelling over catchy emo Pop punk instruments smash your face while the melodic, soothing instrumentals make your head away back and fourth. I can see this as something I can come back to over and over again.

Everything beautiful is gone

Woah there grab your sing along pen and write in your diaries, because this shit makes you wanna think about how shitty things are while at the same time thinking about how much you don't care when really maybe things aren't 100% bad but you don't think about that because you're listening to this guy say everything you're thinking but because you aren't good at putting into words what you're thinking the way you want to, you can't say, you'll go post these lyrics on Twitter and tumblr and others will feel what you're saying  but will have no idea what you're talking about//referencing so people will think you're deep and you'll get that cool girl/guy you've had a crush on forever to think maybe you aren't just another SnapBack wearing fuck boy so you guys will date and things will be great at first but after a few months things will go south and you'll start listening to that basement album but you feel so much about her and also hate being alone so you'll stay together and be in a toxic relationship that doesn't help either of you so you'll get with some of your friend and make a band when you guys break up and try to make it sound like this album but you'll realize when skies are gray is too good of a band to recreate and also your drummer probably sucks a lot so rinse and repeat. 

Anyway, this album is really really great and it was released through mayfly records so check that out, good label and I would love to see these guys live and you should get this album. 

Favorite track: we passed each other quietly 

Bandcamp

Me when I put this album on

Acoustic Demos, August 16th, 2014 by Grady Philip Drugg

//Acoustic Demos, August 16th, 2014||Grady Philip Drugg\\

1. Sleepwalking Child

2. Cliche

3. Sophia

4. Hydrocodone

5. Why I let My Hair Down

One of the local greats (originally from texas), Grady Drugg released this five track ep. Not one of those usually prosaic acoustic releases with a mono-tone voice and the same four chords used in every pop song, Grady sings with a silky voice over wonderful instrumentals, and the simple but well done lo-fi recordings give a soothing feel to the listeners. Harmonica sails through the last track, giving one of those Dylan feels that everyone knows too well. Lyrics of angst and life, disorders, truthful feelings, and much much more, move with the listener, and the way that the tracks meld together fits with the atmosphere entirely.
Essentially everything that's come out of Grady Drugg has been great. His last release, Untitled, is one of my favorite releases to listen to from a solo-artist. This is an artist that you're going to want to check out, so download this and put it in your ears.

Favorite track(s): Sleepwalking Child // Why I let my Hair Down

Bandcamp

Homesick by Flower face

 //Flower Face||Homesick\\
     1. Bedhead
     2. Blue
     3. Cloud Factory
     4. Quinoa
     5. Linger
     6. Easy
     7. Homesick
     8. Songbird (Sing Me To Sleep)
     9. Bedroom Ghost
     10. Anemia






Available off of Close Quarters Coalition and Ozona Records, Ruby McKinnon's debut release, Homesick, paints a sad, dreamy landscape. Emotion filled, Ruby's voice is set back in the mix, filled with delay, and relaxed. Sweet, soft music accompanies her, leaving behind a mellow feel as each measure passes by. Vocal overlays and differentiating instruments make an interesting feel to the release, taking a step away from the solo act release feel. Song run-times vary and the release as a whole feels like one long release (which normally would be bad, but in this instance seems to fit greatly)  I wouldn't classify this as a lo-fi release, even though that's what it is, because the songs seem to fit the recordings almost better than I've ever heard. And while I'm not the biggest fan of female vocalists, Ruby's voice is like sweet, well, music to my ears.

The songs hold a tinge of innocence to them, yet the lyrics are deep and dark at times, adding an extra layer of thought and feeling to the release. This is the kind of folk/acoustic music that is reminiscent of old fashioned emo music, before everyone decided to mix it with cathartic vocals. Really just sad feeling. I don't know how else to describe it, it's just sad sounding. Something that you should check out, up there with the best acoustic releases I've ever heard (Grady Drugg, June by Roof Doctor).

Get it, without a doubt, get it.

Baby, Make it easy: 

No one's gonna die for you

Favorite song: Cloud Factory

Bandcamp

Close Quarters Coalition 

Ozona Records

Defining Regrets by Landon Rawlings

//Defining Regrets||Landon Rawlings\\

1. Fantasy

2. Fire

3. Without You

4. Would you be Impressed (Cover)

Landon Rawlings is a solo artist from Ozark Missouri, and his debut ep, Defining Regrets, is one about a love that he knows will never leave, said love leaving, and him realizing that he misses this lost love. Acoustic songs are what inhabit these four tracks, (aside from the first song) The first few tracks seem to have better production quality than the others, but they are all fairly nice and not lo-fi so if you're against lo-fi acoustic music this would be nice for you to check out.
As far as music goes, I'm going to break this down into a few things: (Two things)
Instrumental stuff
Lyrical stuff/Vocal Stuff

O K So instrumentational thing stuff:
G Chord D Chord C  Chord F Chord
That's probably not exactly the same, but if you know music then you know what i'm talking about. It's simple stuff, the occasional guitar hammer-ons that catch my attention, but overall boring music-wise. It's not that it's bad it's just that it seems like there could have been more. This is a simple release though, and I guess if I try and compare it to some twinkle daddy math rock guitar instrumentation, it's going to fall short. I've just always thought acoustic tracks should put a lot of focus on the only two things being played, and therefor make them not drag on. Luckily, instrumentation is not the main focus of this release.

Lyrically stuff that and vocally stuff:
Alright (Stuff) here's the thing, I'm not the biggest fan of romantic "I love you" songs, which is exactly what the first song is. I used to be back in 7th grade and stuff, but not really anymore. And without you, which has lyrics like a modern baseball song, just seems weird and cliche on an acoustic guitar.
Which isn't to say it's bad.

The release is relaxing, and Landon's vocals are pretty darn good. The songs are repetative, so they can put you into a kind of a trance, and before you know it it's over. And i mean jeez the songs are so cheesy they make me think about girls and loves and stuff like that, so he did what he was trying to do.
I like the release, it's not something that I'd go back to over and over again, but this is something that he can play in coffee shops and show his parents and such and such. I like the idea that he's going with. While not my 'cup of tea', it is something that people should check out if they like folk/acoustic music.
Well done.

Favo song: Without You

Link to his REVERBNATION!!11!!

Midnight Sun by Tyler Stanton-Bond

Midnight Sun by Tyler Stanton-Bond

1. Life is Sweet

2. Love of Mine

3. Never Again

4. On Repeat

local 417 singer/songwriter Tyler Stanton-Bond's debut demo, Midnight Sun, released off of Spacetime Records. Tyler plays that soft acoustic rock music you listen to on the radio. That good stuff. Jack Johnson, that kinda stuff. And man can this guy sing. Instrumentation is simple, guitar, vocals, and a shaker at some points. The songs are the normal verse/chorus/verse/chorus kinda thing that most songs these days have, but still luckily the songs aren't that long. Average to below average run times. The four songs have good production, and the topics are those normal things you get from this type of music all the time. Love won, love lost, won't love again, why does this keep on happening. 

Not the best release ever, but it's something that I listen to from time to time because it's actually pretty catchy and the songs get stuck in my head.

Favorite song of mine: Life is Sweet

Bandcamp

Leaving Lake Wobegon by Grady Philip Drugg

Leaving Lake Wobegon {Grady Philip Drugg}

Every single night when I come home 

Thoughts cross my mind that make me want to cry

 But no more

 For I've got no time

Probably one of the best acoustic acts I've ever seen live, and for sure my favorite, local 417 acoustic artist Grady Philip Drugg plays a beautiful and heat felt song about leaving home. Live, he plays just acoustically, which would usually bore me, but with Grady, it fails to bore me. In this recording however, Drugg is accompanied by a full band.  As far as I know Grady is going to be recording some new music sometime soon, which I personally am 1000000% excited for. Check this song out guys, you won't regret it at all. It's amazing. If you see a show with him on it, go.
Like him on Facebook
Listen on Bandcamp

LIVING by Something Stranger

LIVING {something stranger}

1. Again, on your feet

2. Take

3. Keep it Real

4. Everything

Something Stranger is an acoustic act from Saint Louis Missouri. Living, featured off on of my favorite labels, Waybridge Records, is a simple four song release to demonstrate what Something Stranger can really do. 

The recordings are of a good quality, and the first song, which, in my opinion is the highlight of the four songs, features a female vocalist which really compliments nicely with the main vocals. Instrumentation is simple, acoustic guitar as the main focal point and an electric guitar playing sweet sweet calm lead parts. As far as acoustic songs go, these are normal, well done acoustic songs. Nothing that you haven't seen before, but nothing that you would hate to listen to. These songs are really chill, and the kind of stuff you can put on and just listen to on repeat while you do something else like house chores or sleep or something. Aaron voice is melancholy and smooth, and this is for sure the kind of release you're going to want to listen to way more than one time, not only to get the full feel of the release, but because they're honestly some good songs.
Like I said, nothing amazing, or mind blowing, but for sure something you should check out. Whenever I hear good acoustic releases like this, I always want to put my guitar back into standard tuning and pick up my own solo project. Check Something Stranger out, you won't regret it.

Favorite song: Again, on your feet

Bandcamp

MISSOURI ACOUSTIC ACTS BEAU DIAMOND AND D.C.F.U. ANNOUNCE TOUR

Beau Diamond and Death Cab For Ukulele announce tour

June 23rd - Kansas City @ Art Closet Studios

June 24th -Des Moines @ Witmer Park

June 26th- Springfield @ Nathan P. Murphy's

June 27th - Witchita @ The Donut Whole

Missouri acoustic acts Beau Diamond and Death Cab For Ukulele are heading out on the road for their second tour this summer, and one of the stops is going to be in good ole' Springfield Missouri. Actually my own band, Kaptain Krunch Cidz is going to play the springfield date so that'll be awesome. I met these two when Beau came and played at the OBEC a while ago, and I really digged his acoustic folk jams. He's coming out with a new release soon and I put on an interview with Joshua Milligan, (Death Cab For Ukelele), owner of Waybridge Records, to which both artists are signed. 

Here comes my super professional interview that I did:

This is your second tour? what do you have to offer differently from your first?
Beau has a new album coming up, and I've also been planning my ep (possibly) and a lot of new Waybridge releases

Are you going to be selling other releases from waybridge on the tour?

Yeah dude for sure. Going to just try and spread the Waybridge name / see kick ass people we miss that are in Springfield. (Also we got kick ass stickers)

What stop are you most excited for?

We are definitely pumped about our Springfield date. We have a lot of solid locals on that bill. Kaptain Krunch Cidz was a fun as hell band I did a review for and Charlie was life changing good. But all the dates are going to be rad as hell. The Des Moines show we have Lesbian Poetry playing with us, who is a stud. Along with seeing a shit ton of new land

Is Death Cab Going as just you or are you bringing Kaitlin Rose Evans with you?

Unfortunately it will only be me for right now, and I'll be doing shorter sets still. Kaitlin is the true beauty and talent of DCFU, so hopefully I'll be able to steal her away for our July tour in Illinois.

Oh and Beau is bringing along part of Space Wolf Infinity, CJ Wagner who is an insane percussionist, and just an all around great person. We're really excited to spend five days altogether because he's been working his tail off in the studio and at a new side job he got to help support him/ the band. 
We're really excited for the dynamics a three piece drumset adds as opposed to just beau on the guitar. They actually have a new project called The Collective Dream Band, which once they get a bassist will sound really awesome

Who would win in a fight between you and Beau?

I've got squirrel-like instincts, but Beau has an obscene amount of finger strength. Any other opponent I would demolish, but I'll give it to beau, he'd win

Final Question: If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be?

I would just want anything that could help change the music industry That's what Waybridge is about honestly.  Like every release I've ever done, I'm a lucky enough guy to get to say "this person is a FRIEND of mine. Not just another product" most of these labels now are like a McDonalds worker with just a "hey, it's just another order up" kind of mentality. I want every release to be a great tune from a great dude (or dudette) that brings something new or cool.  So I guess, wealth? Is that a superpower? Hahah

Well I mean that's batman's superpower, but hey, that's an awesome response. Can't wait to play with you guys again, and to just see you two, You're both great guys!

Beau Diamond's Bandcamp

Beau Diamond's Facebook

Death Cab For Ukelele's Bandcamp

Death Cab For Ukelele's Facebook

Well that wraps that up. 

2303 by American Merlin

2303|American Merlin

1. The Introduction

2. Ajewstic

3. I can't Believe you actually died

4. The Woods

5. Night Light

6. Jazz Bears

7. Upstate

8. Read Eat Sleep

9. Thoth

10. My Throat Hurts

11. Holy Sung

12. The Exit

Newest release off of WayBridge Records, American Merlin is a far reaching lo-fi full length that is so full of genre's and different types of music it left me a little confused as to what was trying to be told by this album. The beginning track starts off with a great little piano instrumental song that sets the mood perfectly, creating some sick imagery. The first half of this release is really lo-fi and acoustic/alternative. Production gets gradually better as the songs progress, but seeing as how the last few songs are electronic ambient songs, they're going to be good production and stuff. Everything about this release is a gradual change into kind of like futuristic music, adding more and more electronic items and stuff, and as I listen to it more and more I realize just how good it all is. With a finishing touch to the release, "The Exit" tops everything off with a similar lo-fi piano outro to the beginning, helping solidify that this release is one that should definitely be checked out. 

favorite track: The Woods

Bandcamp

Ps. Fuck, listen to this entire thing more than once, it gets better and better each time. 

IOWACORE COMPILATION VOLUME TRIPLE I

Iowacore Volume 3

91 tracks that I refuse to list

ARE YOU READY TO GET U MOSH(e) ON?
If you weren't before, after, and only after you listen to all five hours of breakdowns and other things that don't 100% match up, you'll want to hate mosh you're grandmother. I'm guessing these must all be bands from Iowa? If so, what the hell Iowa are you guys holding out on us bring some mosh over to Missouri. So me being not the BIGGEST fan of Metalcore, but still kinda able to get into it, kinda enjoyed this giant thingy. But then again I'm a little confused because not all of these bands are "core" bands. You'll find bands like Goods (emo/emo throwback) and then there is an acoustic song like four songs in. So this isn't all metalcore, but the first few million hours is. It's not bad though, all of these songs are really good, and there are quite a few gems in here.  All of these are good bands and it's cool to see a compilation of this size. Props to the Black Hand Promotions and the Iowacore guys and gals. It's cool because if you're like me you can't just sit and listen to this entire thing straight, I mean come on it's hella long. But you can always come back and just chose a part and go. You find so many different things that it's crazy cool. Pop Punk, Metalcore, Acoustic, Hardcore, Emo, Djent, everything. Iowa has a nice looking scene. Download this. It only takes a LONG time but it's worth it.

favorite track: f-dat I can't choose.

get it here 

(Shout out to Kegan of Corkscrew/goods for sending me this shit)
(all these bands may not be from iowa idk I'm stupid)

Same Mistakes EP by Jerred Williamson

Same Mistakes EP by Jerred Williamson

1.  Too Much

2. Just Right

3. Apple Tree

4. Brain Feud

5. Perspective

\Ya know what I like? When a solo artist/acoustic act is actually fun to listen to. What you've got from solo artist Jerred Williamson is an acoustic pop punk/folk-esq release. Guitar seems layered in production (production is really good (thank god)), and there is some vocal layering. Listening to this Ep brings nothing but good vibes. Jerred has an awesome singing voice, and his guitar skills are really good. Thankfully, the songs aren't like 5 minutes each so thank god about that holy crap. Most of the lyrics are personal or about a girl, but I do want to mention the last song. It's in the title guys, it's about perspective. Like the song has a really cool message about butting things into perspective, which is cool. For someone who doesn't usually review about the lyrics, yeah, but ya know. Plus, I know I've said it once, but damn, Jerred can sing. He can switch to falsetto almost flawlessly and it's really cool to listen to. So check this release out.

Favorite Track: Perspective. 

Bandcamp

The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas- Courtney Barnett

Grade: 7.3

Tracks:

1. Out of the Woodwork

2. Don't Apply Compression Gently

3. Avant Gardener

4. History Eraser

5. David

6. Anonymous Club

7. Lance Jr

8. Are you Looking After Yourself?

9. Scotty Says

10. Canned Tomatoes (whole)

11. Porcelain

12. Ode to Odetta

Listen Here!

You've got to love the honesty of autobiographical music, even if that honesty admits of mediocrity, or supposedly worse, inactivity. That's exactly what Melbourne's Courtney Barnett admits of in her The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas, a passionately passionless mix between slacker rock and 60's folk.

It isn't really folksy in terms of musical style, but it definitely is when it comes to the record's lyrics and their structure. The quick succession of the stories that Barnett tells in her music is very, very Dylan. Barnett's music really is strongest when it tells stories, when it drifts from meandering melodies about the banality and meaninglessness of the mundane to fascinating stories that could've easily been pulled from the pages of a very good novel.

This comparison isn't perfect though. The album does lack continuity. That's to be expected though. It is an EP. Barnett has stated that she is working on a full length record. Hopefully it will grasp the continuity that I know she could form so beautifully.

Avant Gardener (track 3) is really the best song on the album. It captures everything that makes this style of music so good. It's reserved chord progression meanders, her monotone focuses attention on the lyrics rather than inflection, the story is lovely.

Speaking of style, this is hipster music and it's incredibly difficult to put it in any musical category. The influences seem to be so eclectic that if I named them all in succession, your incredulity might keep you from giving this a listen. I'd hate to do that, this is great music and I'll certainly be keeping me eyes open for news of Barnett's full length album.

Stray Observations

• How can something so twangy remind me so vividly of So-Cal Indie Rock? Maybe because it's Indie...
• I love the Pulp Fiction reference on Avant Gardener and the fact that song is called Avant Gardener
• "I'm not that good at smokin' bongs, I'm not that good at breathing in."
• I realize that like %50 of music is influenced by Bob Dylan, but I really didn't expect to find that here. 
• The name of this EP seems unnecessarily long

I'm a Fucking Vampire by Woodgraves

I'm a Fucking Vampire | Woodgraves

1. We're More Than Just Myspace Friends

2. I wish I could Leave

3. Let Me Sleep or Let Me Die, I don't Care Which Comes First

4. Let the Waves Carry Me to Pieces (I hope I drown next to your lifeless body)

5. Interlude I

6. These Sleeping Pills Don't Help. 

7. It's Too Cold out and I don't know where I am.

8. You've Become a Shapeshifter

9. It's hard to stay standing when all you've got to hold you is yourself.

10. Interlude II

11. Don't let me drown in a pool of my own blood

Saint Louis act Woodgraves's latest is a fully acoustic emo/twinkle release that shows off the solo act's ability at songwriting. Single guitar and vocals, these releases can usually either be really interesting, or really boring to listen to. On one side of the spectrum you've got your June and on the other hand you've got your releases by people who know how to play four chords and play 5 minute long songs. One thing I like about Woodgraves is that he keeps the songs emo style short. Averaging out at about 2 and a half minutes. So at least he's conscientious about these things. Recording is fine, lo-fi to say the least, was most likely done through a condenser mic. The thing that I go for on these kind of releases isn't vocals, or lyrics, which most people would want to take into consideration, but I go for the songwriting on the only instrument that is being played. If what's being played in the background isn't interesting, then I'm just listening to chord progressions for 13 or so minutes. If someone who went of vocals judged this based off of Ryan's singing ability, which reminds me of some emo band vocalist who ripped out his vocal chords screaming, then they would probably say this was horrible. I on the other hand, think that his vocals compliment the style of music/and the overall tone, perfectly.
A notable song for guitar on this release would be during "It's Hard To Stay Standing When All You've Got To Hold You is Yourself". It's got this twinkly vibe thingy going on that made me listen to it more than any of the other tracks on the release.
Overall, it's a cool release, so check it out.

Favorite track: It's hard to stay standing when all you've got to hold you is yourself.

bandcamp

This Bird's Only Cage Is The Sky by Justin Larkin

This Bird's Only Cage Is The Sky | Justin Larkin

Single

Justin Larkin is a local 417 singer and when he asked me to review a song he recorded in his basement, I expected to find a lo-fi acoustic recording. What I found instead is a high quality, well produced and recorded song. "This Bird's Only Cage Is The Sky" starts off as one of those normal acoustic songs, but evolves into much more. Featured is bass, flute, violin, and female background vocals. Justin's voice is smooth and beautiful to listen to, you find this kind of singing on mainstream radios. Just listening to this song made me happy. This entire song sounds radio ready and it's amazing to think that it was recorded in Justin's basement. Definitely check it out, it's something that I really enjoyed hearing. 

Bandcamp

Leave Me In The Dirt by Woodgraves

Leave Me In The Dirt by Woodgraves

1. Family Matters

2. Crawling

3. Dead Weather

4. Autumn Air

5. For A Friend, By A Friend (That Friend Is Me)

6. Let The Waves Carry Me To Pieces (I Hope I Drown Next To Your Lifeless Body)

I found Woodgraves by following Ryan Small on Instagram. I don't remember how we came to following one another, but he's from missouri, so I guess I'll find out eventually. Anyway, Woodgraves is one of those lo-fi amazing acoustic things that you find. It reminds me of my personal bandcamp, just Ryan and his guitar, with some pretty sweet layering done. Woodgraves has a huge emo feel to it, instrumentation wise. Vocals are also really emo-ish, you know what I mean, off tune/American Football-esq relaxing and strange at the same time. It's a lo-fi release but the lo-fi compliments it perfectly, as in I think if it wasn't so lo-fi it wouldn't be as good. The slight humming in the background really adds to the whole relaxing feeling. Something you listen to in a car ride/while trying to fall asleep. 

Favorite Song: Dead Weather

Autumn Air

For A Friend, By A Friend (That Friend Is Me)

All around great acoustic release. Digging the lyrics.

Bandcamp

In The Shadows by Nate Maingard

In The Shadows by Nate Maingard

1. Little Brother

2. 9 Lives (Cat's Got Time)

3. Slow It Down

4. In The Shadows

I'm on some weird kinda folk/indie rock kick right now, and I found In The Shadows by Nate Maingard in the "folk" music genre tag on Bandcamp. I'll be honest that I chose to review this release out of the countless others simply because it had only four songs on it, aside from the 10-12 song average on all the other releases. When you listen to emo/hardcore music all the time, releases with a bunch of songs/songs that last longer than a 2 minute average seem to last forever. Anyway, this blue eyed man's singing some nicely produced folk music with a nicely english voice. Instrumentation is large, ranging from harmonica, guitar, piano, banjo, lap steel, bass, viola, drums: ya know, the folk get up. Really honest and light sounding music, great for if you're on a folk music run or if you want to relax and fall to sleep to something like this on a warm summer day. 

Favorite Song: Little Brother

Bandcamp

The Oh Hello's by The Oh Hellos

The Oh Hello's by The Oh Hellos

1. Hello My Old Heart

2. Lay Me Down

3. Cold Is The Night

4. Trees

The Oh Hello's is The Oh Hellos debut EP release. The Oh Hellos has a folk/indie feel that reminds me of Mumford and Sons, Phillip Phillips, and The Lumineers. The Oh Hellos is a two piece brother/sister group, and both of the siblings feature vocals throughout this release. Both of them have very good singing voices, and compliment each other well. Guitar is well done, and production on a whole is high quality. Vocal layering is seen, and many different indie-esq instruments are heard. In a whole, this is a very well done release, especially for a first release. Sometimes you just need a good Acoustic release, and this is definitely one.

Favorite Track: Hello My Old Heart

Bandcamp

Songs From Home (Pt. 1) by Hometown Heroes

Songs From Home Pt. 1 by Hometown Heroes

1. Desperate Times (Call For Simple Measures)

2. Once In A Blue Moon

3. Sidewalks

An earlier, all acoustic release by Hometown Heroes, Songs From Home Pt. 1 shows that the band can play acoustically. All pop-punk bands need an acoustic EP, right? These three songs are nicely done, guitar, guitar, vocals, recorded simply in a garage with a condenser mic. Just like in Stories, and in most songs by this band, the lead guitar soars over the rhythm in many parts. This is very much like most acoustic releases by any generic pop-punk band, however, Hometown Heroes does a very good job in making the songs different from one another. 

Favorite Track: Sidewalks

Bandcamp

Jared Gills by Jared Gills

Jared Gills by Jared Gills

1. Tommy's Bomb

2. It Begins

3. We Are Falling

4. Swells the Size of Manhattan

5. Train

6. 15th and Martin

7. Bury Me At Sea

Jared Gills is a singer/songwriter from Broomfield, Colorado. His self titled release is high-energy and acoustic. The instrumentation is simply a single guitar, and lyrics are very punk-esq. There is some track-layering, such as on Train, but not much throughout.  Vocals are well done, and production on a whole seems very professional. Not much bad to say about this release, except that the seven songs on it do seem to become one large song, as there is not much to separate/ tell a difference between the songs. 

bandcamp

Winter Tour Tape by Flawless

1. Eagleton

2. Take My Pride

3. Take My Pride (acoustic)

4. I'll Never Have My Turn

Flawless is a local 417 band, Winter Tour Tape being their second release.
I really dig the production value of this release, and you can tell that the vocalist really evolved at how he does what he does. You've got two full band songs, and then two acoustic songs with this release, I dig the acoustic side of the release, but the full-band songs are amazing. Probably the best band in the 417, hands down.
Favorite Song: Take My Pride
bandcamp