Hurricane Kids - Live It Up EP Review
11 May 2013 // review by JohnS
School holidays for my family almost always involve a decent amount of time traveling via the car and I always use this time to introduce my boys to new music to expand their every growing playlists on their MP3 players. The latest EP from the Hurricane Kids looks as if it may be another enjoyable addition.
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fleaBITE - Circus of Fleas Album Review
08 Oct 2012 // review by JohnS
Perfect timing for school holidays arrived the new CD from FleaBITE entitled Circus of Fleas. Adult-friendly children’s music made right here in New Zealand that keeps my kids happy for hours.
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Julie Lamb - Trippin' The Light Album Review
09 Sep 2012 // review by JohnS
Blues, rock and accounting aren’t something that would normally be put together but Wellingtonian signer Julie Lamb somehow pulls this off. Her second album entitled 'Trippin’ In The Light' displays a range of talent, which is rarely found on the shelfs nowadays.
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The Nomad - Perilous Times album review
17 Jul 2011 // review by JohnS
Yes, after six years The Nomad (Daimon Schwalger) has been working hard and given us 'Perilous Times', a dupstep flavoured blend or reggae, drum and bass, electronica and Jungle to create a thing of absolute bliss. Through the creation and celebration of independent music, The Nomad, shares the story of his journeys.
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Kidz In Space - Ghost Album Release Gig - Palmerston North 17 June 2011
26 Jun 2011 // review by JohnS
The chilly, cold night is a constant companion as I head into Palmerston North to see Auckland based band Kidz in Space, on their third stop of their nation wide tour. Not only is this an all ages gig but it’s being held at the Palmerston North Convention Centre, a very unusual venue for a band to be playing.
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Miss Black & The Light - Black Light Album Review
13 May 2011 // review by JohnS
The cold breath of winter is whispering at the door, so for me this means spending more time at home, curled in front of the fire with some choice kiwi sounds heating my soul and currently filling the void is the debut album from Miss Black and the Light. Miss Black (aka Ngatapa Black) is a bilingual singer songwriter more commonly found working for Maori television, but thankfully found time to bring us this unique blend of kiwiana entitled Black Light.
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Anna Coddington - Cat & Bird Album Review
19 Feb 2011 // review by JohnS
The second release from Anna Coddington entitled 'Cat & Bird' has just been released two years after her debut album entitled 'The Lake'. Musically grown with a higher focus on a more mainstream sound from the previous album but with the same lyrical talent being showcased.
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Bulletproof - Soundtrack To Forever album review
28 Jun 2010 // review by JohnS
Every now and then I receive a album that brings out the underground junkie I used to be and with New Zealand having such a mainstream force it is hard not to get caught up in the latest charts. Luckily the third release form Bulletproof reminds me that underground dance music is heading into mainstream and having a stronger following every week.
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Aum - Happiness EP review
23 Mar 2010 // review by JohnS
Hamilton electronic act AUM have just released a 6 track EP leading you into a journey of ambient conciseness, reminiscent of a relaxed Sunday morning sipping a coffee with six mates discussing what went wrong the previous night. Starting off with Sombre Dreams to introduce the Downbeat and Ambient sentiment, setting you up for the following four tracks.
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Cern - Cern - 'Manaia' EP Review
30 Nov 2009 // review by JohnS
Feeling the bass flow out of my mp3 player is something I love, It’s like my own brand of narcotic flowing though my soul, awaking me and CERN’s new EP 'Manaia' does just that. Drum and Bass fanatics will already know what to expect from a internationally talented DJ.
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The Zoup - The Zoup - 'The Zoup' EP review
24 Sep 2009 // review by JohnS
Auckland four piece The Zoup have been together for just over a year now and have released their debut self titled EP. Originally calling themselves Moloko Vellocet, they changed to The Zoup without even a year being passed.
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Minuit - Minuit – Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death Dot Com album review.
03 Aug 2009 // review by JohnS
I have been eagerly awaiting 'Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death Dot Com' the new album from Minuit, by wearing thin my copy of their 2003 album 'The 88' it won’t be long until this album turns out to get the same overuse. Minuit have always caught my attention with the unique sound from vocalist Ruth Carr bleeding out from my speakers.
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Pitch Black - Pitch Black - 'Rhythm, Sound And Movement' album review.
14 May 2009 // review by JohnS
I have been desperately short of some walking tunes for some time and the new Pitch black album has filled that void nicely. Having released 'Rhythm, Sound And Movement', which is a artful collection of remixes of tracks from their 'Rude Mechanicals' album.
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Eqwanox - All Roads Lead From Here Album Review
09 Dec 2008 // review by JohnS
I must admit, I had heard of Eqwanox before having the opportunity to listen to there CD. Myspace is a wonderful tool for bands to promote their music to the world and Eqwanox have taken full advantage of this.
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The Symphony of Screams - The Symphony of Screams – 'Heed To The Voices'
16 Sep 2008 // review by JohnS
The Symphony of Screams, What a choice name for a band and with the eye catching graphic artwork to support the name. When I first laid my eyes on to it I immediately flashed back to my teen years listing to death/trash metal, but with a unique “Blues Metal/Rock” which at first listen did not really appeal to me but the album has grown on me.
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Anna Coddington - Anna Coddington – The Lake
19 Jun 2008 // review by JohnS
Anna Coddington's debut album, The Lake, was quite a surprise when I received it. With many people comparing her to Bic Runga and Anika Moa I was not disappointed that Anna added her own flavour and style for a uniquely outstanding album.
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