Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Explorer
There was a whisper of despondency betwixt my heart and lungs.
I called for peace and understanding when I thought I would find none.
My silent tearful screams of drunken pain rang louder than my art.
My fundamental flaws forbade then called the Saul within my heart.
Will I find You in the winter cold, in snow and freezing rain,
or in the warmth of friends and fires long of music and refrain?
Will I find You in the summer sun, in rays of golden light;
in cloudless days of blissful daze; oh, wordless wonder of the sky?
There were intrepid beating fickle fragments clinging to my veins.
I called for stillness, safe and somber; shy of emptiness and blame.
My trying soul could not sustain the farce of "time will heal the pain".
But then again I felt my mind go numb as sorrow was replaced.
Will I find You in the springtime bloom, in blossoms bursting free,
or in the placid tones of bub'ling brooks in vernal symphony?
Will I find You in the autumn chill, in brown and crimson...
Air Review - Landmarks Album Review

"Hey man. Check these guys out."
It seems like every other day friends, musicians, promoters, and critics alike are shoving album after album, act after act, into our hands proclaiming "this band" to be the greatest thing the world has ever had the pleasure of hearing on a purple backed CD-R smeared with sharpie marker. I would venture to say that on any given day, I'm presented with a minimum of 5 bands or artists to "check out". While most of these artists are "checked off" my list of worthwhile and innovative tunes (See what I did there? - Made a clever pun while also making myself out to be a complete know-it-all hipster jackass), ever so often a band stands out and really catches my attention. I want to make it my own personal initiative to take some time each month to review a great Texas based...
Monday, July 12, 2010
David Ramirez - American Soil Album Review

Austin, Texas - a green, freethinking southern mesh and marvel complete with it's own regional artist culture - the tiny blue dot in the midst of the big red state - the live music capital of the world - host of the well known Austin City Limits Music Festival, South by South West, and Fun Fun Fun Fest - home of Matthew McConnaghey, Sandra Bullock, Willie Nelson, Robert Rodriguez, Andy Roddick, and David Ramirez. Although David's name may not be household just yet, it's definitely poised to soon be lighting up a marquee near you. Smooth, soulful, folk-laden compositions that make even the most critical and cynical of listeners crave an aged oak rocking chair and vanilla pipe tabacco make up David's 2009 release - "American Soil". The album's doleful content can best be catergorized as an intimate journey...
Sunday, July 11, 2010
We Were Wolves/Cousin Phelpy CD Release - The Night in Review

As I retreated from the small furnace of a room where The Art Studio monthly hosts some of the Southeast Texas area's stranger and more progressive acts, I thought to myself, "Who ever heard of melodic grudge rock?". Cousin Phelpy had just concluded an engaging thirty-five minute set amidst a small crowd of perspiring fans who seemed to, for the most part, remain undaunted in the harsh face of the extreme Texas heat that radiated through the open air venue on Franklin Street. The three piece Beaumont based band consisting of Greg Busceme on guitar and vocals, Carlo Busceme on Bass and Keyboards, and Chris Sastre on drums called for crowd requests, and even managed to keep a crowd based game of "toss the beach ball" alive throughout.
Upon my arrival, having already seen and heard We Were Wolves on...