The Criticals - Just for the Weekend [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few things in this world are as complicated as the relationship between two humans. The Criticals have captured that complexity perfectly with ‘Just For The Weekend.’ Not only with the melody and lyrical content, but also a performance that is soft, yet razor sharp at times.

Bringing a different sound than the last single featured here on LA on Lock, the band has proven they are multifaceted and complex themselves. Can’t wait to hear what they deliver next.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Anna Rose - Anonymous [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Straddling that edge between rock and country, Anna Rose brings hints of vintage Joan Jett, and Faith Hill at her best.

The melody is predictable at times, but the vocals bring passion and energy and music doesn’t always need to reinvent the wheel to deliver entertainment.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hello Ocean - Over You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Letting go is tough to do, and sometimes it hurts more to see the other person let go too fast. This track takes those emotions and distills them down to a heartfelt Indie ode to that pain and frustration. The vocals are laced with heartache and the simply melody works well in tandem. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cab Ellis - Suburbia [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Fun! Truthful! Genre bending!

Cab Ellis delivers a track that is all of the above and then some. A high-energy single about escaping ‘Suburbia’ to chase your dreams.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Holden Laurence - Like James Dean [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This single is a great example of music conveying mood and emotion. I do think they lyrics could have been fleshed out and expressed more, but the vocal performance and melody make the most of what is there to create and instill feelings and frankly, a lot of music fails to come even close to doing so.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lone Wild - Sequin Dress [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Shining like a ‘Sequin Dress’ under a spotlight, Lone Wild’s single is a sparkling track about love on the dance floor. A disco era throwback with a modern edge, this is a song that is impossible not to sing along with.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Joel Jerome - There's Nothing Here To Bother You Anymore [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A throwback to the glory days of Psychedelic Rock, ‘There’s Nothing Here To Bother You Anymore,’ takes you on a trip that not enough music traverses these days.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jon and Julia - Hey Daddy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is a hint of Freddy Mercury in the vocal tone, and a splash of Elton in the melody structure. Along with those influences are threads of classic Punk. The fusion is entertaining and engaging, just as rock and roll should be.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jon Martin and Lovers - Young Hearts [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is hard to believe this is the debut single from Jon Martin and Lovers, because ‘Young Hearts’ already has that big epic band sound. I hear Wilco, and Drive By Truckers, and a dash of Old 97s to this one and I can’t wait to hear where the band goes from here with their blend of Americana/Alternative/Indie Rock sound.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Places Back Home - Refractions [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“With a classic alternative sound, Places Back Home delivers a winning single with their recent release, ‘Refractions.’

Abrupt guitar changes and a mellow vocals help bring out lyrics that connect the emotional dots from the very beginning.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ghost Town Remedy - 360 No Scope [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Clever and funny and brutally honest for those of us who have taken a proverbial ‘Let’s Just Be Friends’ bullet to the head after daring share our feelings.

This is dysfunctional rock music at it’s best.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wes Chiller - Burnin Up [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A nice beach vibe party song that falls somewhere between Alternative Rock and Americana. This is the kind of sound that blurs genre lines by appealing to a wide array of music lovers looking for a fun anthem.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Bootstraps - Evergreen - [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Brooding and moody, this single captures the essence of heartache very well. With a nostalgic rock sound that hearkens back to the 80s, Bootstraps has given us a song with a timeless message and true emotion.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hey Buddy - Happily in Denial [ Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This is a happy little track that will have you cruising down a road of endless possibilities.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Michael Barrow & The Tourists - Never Stop [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A straight up love song in the vein of John Mayer. There are few lyrical surprises, but the performance is solid. and the emotion real enough that this is a single that will speak loudly to those madly in love. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Annie Nirschel - Smoke Show [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bringing a big, vivid, Indie Rock singer/songwriter sound, Annie Nirschel is no ‘Smoke Show,’ because there is plenty of talent and substance in the depth of this single. Reminding me of Joan Osborne and Susan Gibson, I am eager to hear more from this emotional writer and performer.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stereo Match - Paralyze The Dead [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“While solid musically, ‘Paralyze The Dead’ truly shines brightest as a music video. The imagery and the emotions of the lyrics are brought out in spectacular version by the story.


Being true to yourself is perhaps the biggest key to personal happiness, and something we all need reminded of from time to time. Stereo Match does this is in an entertaining and provocative manner that left a smile on my face.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Skunk Funk - Cirque Du Skank [Music Video review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is my kind of circus!

A little weird ... a lot talented.

Part funk, part rock, this is a sideshow worth seeing and hearing.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Brothers Page - Back To You [review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Intricate harmonies combined with a perfect pace and tempo make this a fun song fall into the groove.

Folk Rock EDM is not a thing as of yet, but Brothers Page has a hand in all three genres here. Motivational without being cheesy ‘Back To You’ is a song that gets you moving while putting a smile in your face.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryan Cassata - Bamboo Plants [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is a genuine, songwriter vibe on this one. Billed as a true LGBT love story, this song really transcends beyond any limitations on who this song speaks to. It is simply an honest and true love story for humanity with slice of life lyrics delivered over a guitar melody. There is no added fanfare because the emotion is simply enough in this case.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)