Insane interview with DevonSol

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The newest release of DevonSol, “Insane” dropped on iTunes in October is the newest sensation to hit the dance music scene. DevonSol’s music is a mixture of R&B, Pop, and Dance. Musically, DevonSol compares to Usher and Drake, perhaps even compares to a modern version of the popular late 80’s freestyle artist, Stevie B.

Even if you’ve never heard of DevonSol, you’ll want to get to know him after you’ve heard his newest album, “Insane”.

So, who is DevonSol? A humbled individual with a good heart, heavily influenced by music of the 1980’s, and music of today. More importantly, DevonSol is a man with the sole desire to give listeners something to move to on the dance floor.

Although DevonSol served his country and now a veteran of the Marine Corp, his sights are more focused on a career in music and it is plain to see where he is distend to be.

With the incredible production work done by Clyde Becker, DevonSol ‘s 10-track album release includes DevonSol’s new single “Not Who You Say You Are”. Accompanied with a very well directed and produced music video, “Not Who You Say You Are” screams to be a top 10 on the music charts. Other tracks definitely worth mentioning are Incognito, Reminisce, and the title song, “Insane”.

Check out a special in-depth interview and music preview with DevonSol on The Great Unknowns Presents



Find more of DevonSol
MySpace
OurStage
Facebook

Buy the EP "Insane" at:
 iTunes

Ayana John: "This Caribbean brings Beauty to Dance and Soul"

Ayana John's sophomore album, "Royal Blue" is now available on iTunes and is chalk filled with dance music that is sure to hit the club scene for songs like, "Can't Keep Up" and "Worth Saving".

Native of Barbados, Ayana John has made a name for herself and she has become the biggest icon to come out of her home land since Rihanna. Ayana has had back-to-back radio single releases including the hits songs, “Bajan Story”, “Guns n’ Roses”, “Paper Chase”, “Pose”.

With her latest album release, “Royal Blue”, her songs “Can’t Keep Up” and “Worth Saving” are sure to take the top spots on the charts once again, not only in the Caribbean market, they should be as successful in the U.S. market and in the European market.

While Ayana John is virtually an unknown in the U.S, Ayana’s new album being made up of up-tempo compilations of dance grooves is a well crafted formula that belongs on every pop radio station in every major U.S. market across the country. “Can’t Keep Up” and “Worth Saving” both would be an easy top 10 on the Pop charts and perform as well as other songs like Katy Perry’s “California Girls” and Mike Posner’s “Cooler than Me”.

Listen to a special exclusive in-studio interview with the pop sensation, Ayana John with the host, Michael “J” on The Great Unknowns Presents called, “Interview with Ayana John: A Caribbean Beauty brings a touch of Dance and Soul”.
The host and Ayana talk about her journey from becoming a Barbados beauty queen to an emerging musical talent. Plus, get an exclusive preview of music from her newest album, “Royal Blue” which is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Find more of Ayana John:
MySpace, Facebook, Twitter


Purchase "Royal Blue" on Amazon.com and iTunes

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Bikini Robot Army Music Review

Bikini Robot Army’s originally was a college band headed by Val Broeksmit along with Brandon Geiger and Matt Goldsborough. The three went their separate ways, but they continued to compile and record new music together. Much of their music was recorded from their homes across different states. This went on for years.

Today, they have 12 tracks and Bikini Robot Army is continuing to add more music to their library. Their new EP is very different. There are multiple influences in their music, some of which is comparable to music from the 60’s and early 70’s with a sense of modern electro funk, but with a familiar rock appeal. Some of these influences could be compared to David Bowie or even Moby.

The highlight of the EP is by far “Joe strummer's house take 2” by Bikini Robot Army. The song reminded me of hanging out in downtown LA at the roof top at The Standard. This is an exclusive club where music similar to Bikini Robot Army is often played to match the atmosphere.

Bikini Robot Army’s music is psychedelic with a touch of counter-culture music of the 60’s era with a visual of go-go dancers on mini-stages lifted high off the dance floors inside cages. This "hip" high energy style of music would be perfect for even the most popular clubs in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles, but the rest of their music sort of falls off after, “Joe strummer's house take 2”.

After listening to Bikini Robot Army's other tracks, I felt let down with the rest of the music. One of the newest songs, "Desolation Row", a Bob Dylan cover had no alluring feature to it. It felt drab and gave no spark that compels the listener to want to press play again. One of the common traits that is heard throughout the EP is the word, “Cocaine”. There seems to be a fascination with the drug, because it is mentioned several times throughout in songs like, “Bitches and Blow”, “Never Going Back to LA”, “Joe’s Strummer’s House take 2”, and “Born Killa”. It can be annoying and with a feeling like this obsession is a bit overdone.

“Big Blues Jam That Will Melt Your Face” was strictly an instrumental. It could be a great piece, but some work on the arrangement during the guitar rhythms needs to be worked on to allow more cohesion. The other instrumental on the EP is, “Waa Ooo Waa”. There were no lyrics except some electronic programmed vocals with the words “Waa Ooo Waa”. For a performance at a local venue, this song may translate into a good song for a live audience, but this song does not translate very well on the EP. The electronic vocals pierce the eardrums and sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

Grading Bikini Robot Army, I give the song “Joe’s Strummer’s House take 2” a rating of 4 of 5 stars, but the rest of the EP, I give it a 3.

Find more of Bikini Robot Army on their official website and MySpace

The Finger Puppets "Hearing Things" CD review

The Finger Puppets is an alternative pop rock band from North Carolina. They offer an array of acoustic songs combined with rock melodies and with the elegant voice of Melissa Lee, she makes this band fit nicely with artists along the lines of Liz Phair, 10,000 Maniacs, Feist, Lisa Loeb, and Mazzy Star. With these kinds of comparisons, you may consider The Finger Puppets a 90’s retro band with similar style that fits during this era. The perfect example is the song, “Simply Yours”.

“Simply Yours” starts off with an acoustic riff, but nicely transitions into a lovely musical melody of beautiful notes and a not so complex lyrics telling a story about her boy and telling him not to try so hard, because,“…I’m simply yours” . This uplifting and happy song is reminiscent of works by Edie Brickell perhaps even Liz Phair.

Other songs were just as impressive include, “The Rain Came After” which I sense a bit of Americana-folk rock that was a nice change. “Stars” is also an enjoyable song. I was most impressed by the song introduction with use of sounds of children playing in the background. The Finger Puppets uses multiple layers complimented with background vocal sampling that made this song the standout track from their 10-track debut album entitled, “Hearing Things”.

The same thing cannot be said for all their songs. Songs like “Lie Awake” lacked originality and takes the listeners too far back into an 80’s sound that was a little cheesy for a modern song. Other songs still need some minor work, but overall there are at least six out of 10 songs worth pressing “play” again and again.

Composition 5

Production    5

Arrangement 5

Performance 5

Hit Potential  4

Review by Michael J

Listen to "Simply Yours" right here:

Find more of The Finger Puppets:

Official Website

MySpace

Purchase Hearing Things CD on Amazon.com 

and CD Baby