Thorslund - Firecracker Man [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“True Rock and Roll ain’t’ dead, but it is real damn hard to find.

The glory days of Whisky a Go-Go and the other iconic venues along the Sunset Strip might be behind us, but Thorslund keeps the Hollywood tradition of spawning hard rock with an edge alive and well.

Thorslund does a damn good job of living up to the reputation of LA rockers.

’Firecracker Man’ is a hard charging rock song that works today and would have put them in elite status back in ‘85. Let’s hope they usher in a new era and find the broader audience they deserve so while appeasing the Rock Gods happy with their in your face sound.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

San Salinas - Hold On [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When a passion is truly in your blood you never can quite it. Be it a person or a creative endeavor. Matt Gibson of San Salinas thought he was done with music, but after a life of hardships and addictions, he cleaned up and rediscovered the dormant passion.

’Hold On’ is a soaring rock tribute to that reawakening!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cold Weather Captains - Line of Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a funky little bass line, before the track hits that Rock and Roll edge with intricate guitars play and classic vocal delivery, Cold Weather Captains delivers a nice energetic Alt Rock track .

’Line Of Fire’ has the backbone to serve as a motivational hype track, or to simply be a nice jam you can groove to while motoring down a dark stretch of highway.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock blogger

Cloud House - Photographs [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written after the death of lead singer, Conor’s mother, ‘Photographs’ is part nostalgia and part motivational inspiration. Delivering a classic Indie Rock sound, Cloud House puts their energy and emotions into this track which serves as the Glasgow bands lead single on a brand new EP.

The vocal and musical talent allows the band to feel emotive and powerful and this track is but one that promises to deliver a punch straight to your gut. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dax - Dax-To Be A Man (Ft. Darius Rucker) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax is a versatile talent that can come with a hard-edged Hip-Hop flow or a theatrical horror core track and then here on this track, Dax deliver offers an earnest ballad along with Darius Rucker.

’To Be a Man’ is an ode to the emotions and pressures of being a man. Not just any man but a responsible hard-working man trying to do his best despite the pitfalls and stresses that we face.

Dax and Rucker’s voices blend and play off each other well on the track and the emotions carry the day on this honest and vulnerable look at a side of being a man that often is overlooked. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Little Quirks - Storm Like Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Little Quirks is an all-girl trio of two sisters and their cousin from Australia. ‘Storm Like Me’ is a folksy Pop track and the first single from their new album due out early next year.

The song is an ode to being true to yourself even when you are wrong. We all say and do stuff we wished we hadn’t but there is a power in owning our mistakes and trying to do better next time, rather than turning and running from them or make asinine excuses. This sound proudly proclaims, HERE I AM ... flaws and all. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Sweet Kill - Undead [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Delivered in a deep baritone reminiscent of Nick Cave, The Sweet Kill gives us a track perfect for the season. ‘Undead’ isn’t purely a Halloween track, but it does fit the mood and vibe of this time of year.

The press release details include this description ... THE SWEET KILL is a one-man Post-Punk, Dark & Gothic artist. Driven by cold synths, atmospheric guitar and melodic bass, multi-instrumentalist and velvety crooning baritone, Pete Mills conducts a Darkwave masterpiece of romantic sorrow echoing the laments of The Cure and Joy Division.

The track is a dark romantic ode to an immortal being in love with a mortal facing peril and the is left with no choice bu tto convert his love so they can be together for eternity.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Stemmas - Eyes Wide Open [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Stemmas are an emerging, Indie musical collective started by guitarist and executive producer, Jerry Conrad, and lead vocalist Tommy White but expanded to an impressive group of accomplished artists and collaborators.

’Eyes Wide Open’ is a timeless rock song of boredoma nd questioning and taking a chance to find what answers might be out there in the world. This is Rock and Rolls as it should be, but is seldom heard these days int he glossy world of manufactured corporate music. The right kind of grit and IDGAF attitude, with the video to match.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

britta raci - embarrassing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“There are many dimensions to a breakup, and just as many songs detailing the emotional toll, however few if any take a look at the embarrassment aspect of heartbreak. Reliving and rehashing all the things you said to them when blinded by love, and of course the public shame of having to explain to others what went wrong. Britta Raci covers that and then some in her Pop leaning Alt Rock track called ‘Embarrassing.’ The writing is solid and the emotions tangible, thanks to a passionate and emotive delivery.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

EĐĐIE - Freak on Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This high-energy track has a classic Alternative Rock vibe that can be called a selp hype track. By that I mean anyone who needs a confidence boost or shot of adrenaline to get through their workout or simply motivate them to take on the day.

An anthem to the hustlers and go-getters, ‘Freak On Fire,’ is a musically supercharged track. The vocals at times do not match the musical energy though the juxtaposition does add a a touch of intrigue as well. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Fletcher Moudy - Let Your Hand Slip [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The one night stand is often romanticized and for good reason. The thrill of carnal excitement, and the potential of where it could go are boundless. ‘Let Your Hand Slip’ captures those emotions and feeling and the hard vocal edge of Fletcher Moudy sell it well here. The arrangement is a bit erratic, just like a heartbeat in such situations, and the resulting song sweeps you in just as if lust were leading you along.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

king dem0 - coma [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The world can be an overwhelming place and that is exactly what king dem0’s track ‘coma’ is all about.

The song somewhat reminded me of Beck with a British accent, though with more of a vocal groove and flair to that side of the the production. The arrangement and musical side is a bit funky and blurs the lines of genre which adds to the track’s almost chaotic vibe which is the perfect way to express the intent of the song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Easy Bear - In My Head [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Easy Bear brings the 90’s vibes on this track. Reminding me a bit of Cake, or The Presidents of the United States of America the high-energy offering of ‘In My Head’ comes with a chorus that is impossible not to join in and sing along.

I did find myself wanting more as the song was over far earlier than I’d have liked.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Movie Night - Haunted [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I am a sucker for a good story song. And a story song with a gut-wrenching twist of the knife ... YES PLEASE!

Butter the popcorn and settle in because Movie Night latest track, ‘Haunted’ is ready to carve up your emotions with this Pop Rock anthem to closure and that impromptu final meeting with your ex to try and wrap thigs up in a nice little box to stoae away. Of course life doesn’t work like that, and neither does this excellent song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Casino Havana- All For Nothing [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This song is a burst of energy from the introduction of the electric guitar at the beginning of the song. Casino Havana delivers a pure rock and roll smash. Well versed lyrics and storytelling over banging drums and violent guitar strums. The lead vocalist carries the song with his intense, aggressive vocals while still giving your vocalist deliverance that blesses the ears with its melodies. If you put all the elements of rock into a pot and created a song, this would be it. Great song. Even greater listen.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Tony Salomone - Red Light [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding an electric, pure Indie Rock sound and style Tony Salomone joins a long line of provocative raconteurs. This one hit me like Jack White joins the Arctic Monkeys. HIgh energy and fun to join in and song along with, this might be the most fun you can have with a ‘Red Light’ this side of Amsterdam.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elsewhere- Life...is a Fraction: I. Restless [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“I like how the guitar hits at just the right moment. This progressive rock track takes you down the road of life. It explores time and age on a fast pace tempo. Elsewhere gives listeners a moment of solo but also picks back up with a good hook. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

A Story Told - My Place [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A Story Told gives an energetic ode to finding what matters most and putting your effort and concentration in on those elements of life. Excising the distractions and cancerous people is no easy task but becomes much easier when you take the time to truly evaluate the meaningful things in our personal orbit. Musically, this track is as light and free as the feelings it is trying to express.

A fun, uplifting track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Starbenders -Cherry Wine [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Starbenders deliver a jam as nostalgic as their name with “Cherry Wine”. A fun, youthful love story about one’s last experience with the one they love. This song gives late 80s glam rock. It could be played and enjoyed from older ages to the new youth. This song jumps out the speakers and just makes you wanna dance.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Off Grid -Open Wide [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“ Off Grid delivers a beautiful ballad. Angelic vocals over well played strings and a beautiful piano accompanist because the beat opens up into its full range. A well written story of romance that tugs at the heart strings of the listener. This song is an example of when music was music; full of feeling and well written, meaningful lyrics. Then as the song ends you’re given the gift of an insane electric guitar solo which only goes to add more texture to this already well put together composition. The masterpiece of simplicity.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]