Minds Behind the Music News, Reviews & Views

I usually start by saying something clever, but today I’ll skip straight to what matters: “The Merchant’s Last Coin” is an absolutely brilliant track. If there were such a thing as heavy folk, this is exactly what it would sound like.

From its eerie, operatic opening to the song’s explosive coda, everything works. The vocals are stunning, the arrangement is fiery. It’s a powerful track that sounds massive and yet still breathes. Crescendos and diminuendos rise and fall naturally, all handled with restraint and good taste. Unlike so many artists who’ve attempted something similar over the years, Neural Pantheon never pushes the production too far.

Oddly enough, “The Merchant’s Last Coin” brings Iron Maiden’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” to mind. Though the songs are worlds apart stylistically, they share the same soul and trumpet the same wisdom: nothing good comes from worshipping gold. Men became merchants and mariners for a reason—they were willing to trade everything they had for adventure, fame and wealth. Sadly this impulse persists to this day.

“The Merchant’s Last Coin” is as original as it is compelling. Any fan of mystic folk rock will treasure this release. I love it.

Listen here: "The Merchant's Last Coin"

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Review by staff at MBTM

“Death Of The Wolf”

by Night Wolf & Lois Powell

Now I really like “Death Of The Wolf”. It’s very original and unique in today’s musical landscape in that it’s very cinematic – fusing gorgeous pop melodies with Avantgarde music production that leans heavily toward classical influences. It’s definitely something different, and I mean this as the highest possible praise. This doesn’t sound like anybody else. It sounds like Night Wolf.

From the very first notes the cello plays to the song’s more heavily orchestrated coda, it’s all mind-blowing stuff. The beautiful, haunting vocals (both lead and background) and the absolutely stellar arrangement that’s filled with ear candy will send shivers down your spine. Instruments come and go, fall out of the mix … then re-enter … it's stunning.

Lois Powell and Night Wolf have created a true showstopper. “Death Of The Wolf” is one of those songs that’ll stop you in your tracks. Whoever likes mystical art pop with an edge won’t get enough of this. That's a promise.

Listen here: “Death Of The Wolf”

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Review by staff at MBTM

“Hard Enough”

by DownTown Mystic

The world is so filled with electronic pop and contemporary pop-rock that it’s very easy to forget what organic and authentic rock’n’roll sounds like ... or rather what it sounded like many moons ago – when it still held a place in the mainstream market. And it’s a shame. Songs like “Hard Enough” by DownTown Mystic aren’t just time capsules … they are the real thing, music made by real people, who actually know what they're doing and are damn good at their craft.

DownTown Mystic’s “Hard Enough” is simply put: terrific. It moves and it grooves like a runaway train that’s impossible to stop. The guitars are great (love the shredding at the end), the bass dances nicely in the mix, the vocals are on fire and the drums augmented by handclaps toward the end really add to the excitement. It’s all great stuff … the piano as well.

Any fan of retro-flavoured pop-rock will fall passionately in love with this track and find it irresistible. Enjoy.

Listen here:"Hard Enough"

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Review by staff at MBTM

“Lay On Grass”
by Sam Stokes

Being alive can take on many forms, depending on what our reality is at any given point in time. However, regardless of what’s happening around us or in the privacy of our minds, we should never forget to pause every once in a while to look at where we are in life. And this is what Sam Stokes’ new single is all about: self discovery, growth and becoming aware.

These are big themes for a pop-rock offering, but Stokes pulls it off. “Lay On Grass” is a triumph, euphoric pop at its very best. The production and the arrangement work like a charm: stunning vocals, great guitars (love the tremolo and the little fills here and there) and some very tasteful drumming. Yet, the real star here is the song itself. It’s a truly well-crafted composition – something Stokes can be proud of.

Those enamoured with melodic pop-rock will absolutely adore “Lay On Grass” by Sam Stokes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go and listen to it yet again.

Listen here: “Lay On Grass”

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Review by staff at MBTM

“Scars On The Soul”

by Dylan Gers

Just when you think that alternative rock hasn’t sounded right for a long time, you stumble on something like Dylan Gers’ “Scars On The Soul”, and you are reminded of why you fell in love with this particular genre in the first place. Gers' new offering is bold, powerful, melodic, mystic and dynamic … but mostly – and this is the real reason behind my praise – it’s authentic and organic. It’s not overproduced and over edited like most pop-rock of today.

“Scars On The Soul” is more a rock’n’roll journey than it is a rock’n’roll tune. There’s something very epic about it, something that demands your full attention. The acoustic guitars that start the song are fantastic as are their electric counterparts that come in full blast when the chorus starts. The bass and the drums are neatly woven together and I truly love how the band lets it rip to support the well-thought-out guitar solo. And all this while Gers sings his heart out. He’s got a great set of pipes, mind you, and quite the range. This is hot music. There's no denying that.

Mr. Gers, more please.

Listen here: “Scars On The Soul”

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Review by staff at MBTM

“Aphrodite Leaves”

by Chloe Dunn

I’ve always preferred tracks that are a bit more progressive and gutsy, exploring musical and lyrical avenues that are slightly less travelled. In many ways, this is what’s best about indie pop. The genre houses brilliant artists like Chloe Dunn, who are not tied to the mainstream cookie-cutter approach to making music but rather, are free to experiment and create something with a bit more content and edge.

Chloe Dunn’s new single “Aphrodite Leaves” is a fabulous piece of art pop, fusing classical influences and electronic music. It’s inspired by Greek mythology and the Apple of Discord (golden apple claimed by Hera, Athena and Aphrodite but awarded to Aphrodite) that began a chain of events leading to the Trojan War. Building a song on an ancient legend is a clever move from Dunn and an exciting approach to crafting a pop single. Very different, very fresh.

“Aphrodite Leaves” showcases beautiful melodies backed with mystical instrumentation. Anyone who likes a little bit of avantgarde with their pop will fall in love with it. Check it out.

Listen here: “Aphrodite Leaves”

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Review by staff at MBTM

"Before You Leave"

by Joe Doonan

It’s always baffled me how some artists have a knack for building full-sounding songs with very little. This is what Joe Doonan does with his new single “Before You Leave”. There isn’t a whole lot on it, even towards the end, but you can’t think of anything to add. It’s perfect the way it is.

“Before You Leave” is about letting go … or rather, the pain of letting go. Nothing lasts forever, and we can’t always choose who we get to keep in our lives. Most relationships we form end up being temporary. This is something I’ve learned in my nearly fifty years on the planet. Yet, we know when we are losing something very special, something that doesn’t come along very often. This is when we are, as Doonan puts it, “stuck between reason and the chaos in my mind”.

“Before You Leave” is a very strong offering from Joe Doonan. It’s also a fantastic performance: the guitars, the vocals, the subtle drums … everything. It’s one of the best indie folk songs I’ve heard in a long time. It shines.

Listen here: “Before You Leave”

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Review by staff at MBTM

"I See You"

by Lynney Williamson

For those of you who were alive in the eighties, this song is a time capsule. I’m not kidding. When I close my eyes and listen to it, it feels like I am back at my parent’s house, sipping a can of Pepsi Free, listening to the radio. It’s quite remarkable. All the trademarks of the aforementioned era are here: the synth bass, keyboards, electronic drums and the 80s guitar riffs … it sounds very authentic.

But the fresh Lynney Williamson single is more than just authentic-sounding retro music. It is a fantastic composition that grooves and moves. Laced with brilliant synth work and tasteful guitars, it’s a formidable production that blends the signature sound of the eighties with modern synth pop. Lynney herself is in great voice … she’s a terrific singer with exactly the right nuances for this kind of music. What can I say? Everything here works.

“I See You” will no doubt find its way to a plethora of playlists and rightly so as it a very strong number. Enjoy.

Listen here: “I See You”

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Review by staff at MBTM