Marla Morris-While The Street Lights Shine

 

Since the young age of four years old, Marla Morris has been dazzling people with her blissful musical talents.  Hailing from the east coast, Connecticut in fact, Marla uses that small town ingenuity quite well.  She has grown into her own since then obviously, landing opening slots for country artists such as Travis Tritt, Lorrie Morgan, and Kix Brooks (Brooks And Dunn).  Just this December, Marla unleashed with a fury, her latest country/pop effort, with "While The Streetlights Shine'.  Already racing up the country charts, the EP is a well crafted machine!  Featuring six total songs, all of which are intriguing, it shines as definitely a piece of music you will need to get your hands and, then put your ears to this!  Prior to this release, Marla was featured on several successful charting basis.  With her debut, "Ready For The Rain", Marla showed songwriting abilities with a stylistic passion and grace.  The record was featured on the "What We're Listening To", "New And Noteworthy", and the "Rising Stars Of Country" sections of I-Tunes.  "Ready For The Rain" landed in the top 100 country album charts in it's debut, and has appeared there many different times since then.  Marla then released an excellent single titled, "I Can't Do This Anymore", in 2013, and that track was featured on the "New And Noteworthy" section of I-Tunes as well, and only began to drive up Marla's success.  With this latest record, "While The Streetlights Shine", Marla has proven again that she is one heck of a talent.  With the beautiful song, "One December Ago", she shows her greatest lyrical sides, and shines very bright as an artist.  My favorite of the tracks on "While The Street Lights Shine", which all clock in between three to just under four minutes in length; is the song "Nothing Left To Leave".  "Nothing Left To Leave" really makes me feel a vibrancy within a sadness, that perhaps is honestly quite unexplainable.  To put it bluntly, it is an amazing song, period.  "Home Is Always You", which concludes the effort, is infectious.  Another infectious groove, is the kick starter off the record, with "Sky On Fire".  This one really gets you going, reminds me of another up and coming star of country music, Leah Turner.  When it comes to both Marla, and Leah, you will find yourself thinking "Carrie Underwood" comparisons.  To me, that is a lot to live up to, but I promise you that after listening to "While The Street Lights Shine" especially, you will witness Marla rising into the Carrie Underwood "atmosphere" in country!

Rating: 5.0/5.0

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Leighton Meester-Heartstrings

                                              We all know Leighton from a famous television show, or from  her great work in the film industry, but did we expect her to be able to sing like this?  On "Heartstrings", Meester is captivating, and really portrays the material well.  The craft, and eloquent first single is the album title, "Heartstrings".  This song is very smooth, and has a tempo that is easily able to get stuck in our heads.  The way Leighton laid this track down, is almost perfect.  Almost, because it still shows a bit of inexperience with releasing quality music.  Don't get me wrong, this album is really solid, and I would play it constantly in rotation if the occasion arose, but there are some gaps in this album.  Also, "Heartstrings" is only a nine track release.  This is disappointing to fans of hers.  The best track in my opinion from the album, is the song "Good For One Thing".  This song is resonating, and gives us some taste of her potentials throughout the record.  Other standouts are "Run Away", "L.A.', and "Dreaming'.  For the current price of the album, which I've seen it around nine to ten dollars, you get your money's worth.  There is an impeccable range on the release, and I think we all should experience this.  I suggest you go out and grab the record on the 27th-28th of October.  You will enjoy this, but beware, don't expect a perfect record.  This is an enjoyable record, not perfection though.
                                                                Rating: 4.25/5.0

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Leah Turner-Leah Turner EP

                                     Leah Turner has released her first, self-titled EP, and it is very impressive, indeed!  We all have heard about the power-driven "keys" to her first single, "Take The Keys".  I will be honest and let the readers know that this review is solely based upon a personal purchase.  At no point did the record label, Columbia Nashville, present me with this record.  However, Leah is a rising star, a friend, and I feel she deserves the respect and critiques she can garner.  "Pull Me Back", her second and current single, is a bit different than "Take The Keys".  It reminds me of a Carrie Underwood-type track, and yet, has it's own uniqueness.  It has a catchy chorus, with "you say what you say, but I still want you....pull me back".  That rings in your ears, even after hearing it just once.  Just incredible.  The third track is a bit more fiesty, and down to earth.  "Bless My Heart", is similar to nothing else.  Although, it can have the fire power of a Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, or a Brantley Gilbert kind of written song.  It has lyrics like "tobasco in my veins....", and shows an angst of Leah, that perhaps the EP through the first two tracks had yet to show.  I enjoy this track the most, and it is my favorite of the five off the release.  "Beat Up Bronco", well, is a lower song.  It has a story behind it, and it still steers this EP very well.  The song fits in great, and when she states, "I wouldn't trade that first kiss for nothin' ", it makes the mood set in quite well.  "Ya, that heater, it's been broken since you owned it....", lyrics that a remindful of tough times and life throwing people hardships, yet we overcome them, and this can be a very resonating song.  The final song off the well-done EP, is called "My Finger".  This one, well it really gets me amped up when I am listening to a country mix, or this particular EP release.  It has an excellent beat and tempo, and with lyrics like "you won't see me dressed in white, won't be no way tonight....", and "you dug your grave and here's my finger".  This song has one specific stating, "show me your history and I'm your regret", well, rest assured, grabbing up this release, this strong and wild EP, will not leave you with the taste of regret in your mouth.  Leah Turner is here folks, and the bottom line is, you have no choice but to recognize this female talent, without a shadow of a doubt!
        
                                                                                    Rating:5.0/5.0

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Alaina Blair-Here I Am

 

"Alive Again", Alaina's lead single from her third release, doesn't even begin to describe how strong this release is!  Wow!  With seven strong tracks, and an excellent price, "Here I Am" is definitely worth every penny.  Let me just say I love this record.  You're also treated to blazing guitars by the man himself, Mr. Billy Alexander!  Love this!  With powerful and strong drumming by Tony Morra, it becomes even more of such a treat to grab "Here I Am".  "Throw It All Away", the first song on the release, was written by Billy Alexander and Melanie Joe.  Melanie, you may know, has some good music of her own out now.  This song is delicate, yet throws you into such a groove, even the windows dance when you crank this tune up!  The third song on the album is called "Here Tonight", and this one is a smooth, cozy effort that makes you think about life more and more.  Great song, indeed.  My favorite on "Here I Am", I would say is "Give Myself Over", which is the fourth song on the LP.  With unique bass play by bassist Sean Barrett, and eclectic electric piano/organ done by Mike Stockalper, "Give Myself Over" just seems to resonate with myself so much, I honestly cannot describe it any better than to say, "buy this"!  Other stand out tracks include "I Will", "Tears Never Fell", and "Life Is Beautiful".  Overall, I've said this time and time again, you seriously need to grab this one up, especially if you're into discovering new artists, and enjoy smooth pop music, or country as well.  Alaina Blair and crew are so dynamic on this release.  Alaina has improved from her first release, the EP titled "Gypsy Girl", to her first solo record, and now "here" she is with the unbelievable "Here I Am".  Find out for yourself today!

RATING: 5.0/5.0

 

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Alaina Blair-Alive Again (Single)

 

She's back, and she's back in a big way!!  "Alive Again", Alaina's upcoming new single, is one amazing lead off hit, the propels her into even more an afterburner of a world of musical stardom than we even thought she could even exist in before.  Even after one EP, and one excellent album, this single excels beyond the point of no return.  The slower intro of the song, citing, "Broken down, and turned around......." are excellent lead lyrics...then they soar into more lifting lyrics like ""I didn't know that I could fly this high reach out and touch the sky, defy the laws of gravity..........feeling alive again."  Speaking of "lyrics", along along Alaina's side, were the ppowerful forces of well known powerhouses Jane Bach (Reba), and Mr. Billy Alexander himself, who has really been blazing along with the guitar as well, and his writing has been no different.  Those combined skills are a path to stardom for sure!

  The passion of this song is incredible, and holds motivation and definitely designs for her fans a path of belief that she is for real.  Alaina's voice has never been so strong, and the song is so well written, the vocals are so well done, that there is no reason this time Alaina Blair does not hit the charts with a huge bang!  People have got to know this woman, I cannot believe she is not more of a household name, but Alaina is "alive again" now.....and with "Alive Again", written by the best writers out there, Alaina has indeed marked her territory with a musical passion and fury.  Welcome back Alaina, we embrace you, we feel you "Alive Again"!!

RATING:10/10

 

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Leah Turner-Take The Keys (Single)

 

Ahh, smell that?  That's the smell of two things....sweet success and the scent of a fresh breath of brilliant musician doing her thing.  Leah, so talented and beautiful, has the country world by the strings with this first single, titled "Take the Keys".  It holds one heck of a catchy hook, and Leah has the vocals to power any song, as evident by the track itself.  Having just hit digital retailers in mid-August, Turner has impacted radio far before that.  Becoming a success wasn't an overnight ordeal, and Leah is well aware of this, and it is evident by her lyrical content.  "Let's hit the road and let the engine spark...." describes her sensual and ambitious attitude.  "Take the Keys" is a thrill ride of rocking country persona, and she definitely shows she belongs!  If you have to compare her to any current country artist, it could be hard, because Leah has her own distinctions.  Leah is stunning, vocally strong, lyrically talented, and has ambition to succeed for her fans and family like no other artist in recent memory.  I suppose the likes of a Kellie Pickler, a younger Shania Twain, or even Martina McBride would be suffice in comparison.  That is my opinion, but believe me, you will hear the point I am making, just grab a copy from a link below, and see and hear for yourselves!!  The chanting of "come on, come on, baby...." makes you want to do some dancing, party it up and crank this track top notch where it belong, up high!!  So, "take the keys", pop the song in the player, and turn it up as loud as you can, and do what Leah does best, sing your heart out!!

RATING: 10/10

 

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Jennifer Nettles-That Girl (Single)

 

 One of country music's finest female vocalists, Jennifer Nettles ventured into a solo project, and did so very well. The time has finally come. Her newly released single, "That Girl," just impacting radio on Aug. 19th, is raising the bar for every other mainstream female artist. Keeping true to her roots, Jennifer tosses in jazz, pop and even soulful influences on the new track, balancing out what is commercially viable and what is true to country music-storytelling. While the men continue doing the same thing over again by releasing party song after tired party song. The females continue to deliver quality material that serves as a beacon of hope for all of the "close-minded traditionalists." "That Girl" is a sultry and slinky response to Dolly Parton's iconic song "Jolene." While incorporating such modern production as hand-claps and a sleek shine, Jennifer allows her voice and lyrics to reveal the track's storyline. Here we have a woman down-trodden by the lies of a two-timing man. He's married and seeks after the mistress for some side action. Come to find out, the mistress has no idea he's married. When she does find out, she breaks it off...and calls up the wife to tell her she doesn't "want to be that girl with your guy, to fool you and make you cry." "I knew he was good looking, maybe too good to be true. But when he kissed me in that alley, I could tell there was a you," she sings. Her voice drips with sensual desire but enraptures the lyrics with a bitter edge, almost mysterious, by layering on an attitude that only Jennifer could relate with. There is an air of film to the delivery, ranging back to a 1950's black and white film, perhaps. As her solo debut release, she definitely has a smash hit here. As one-half of the hugely successful duo Sugarland, Jennifer is poised to become the next great solo female artist, despite a huge barrier that most face when attempting to launch a superstar career. She's already a household name, and by releasing such a risky and bold choice, she just might get the attention people everywhere!!

RATING: 9.5/10

 

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Melanie Joe-Gun Shy (Single)

 

Talent is seemingly abundant these days is the world of country music, I'll grant you that.  However,

Melanie Joe seems to have skipped ahead of that line.  Perhaps it's because of her grit, perhaps it's also because of the electric that guitarist Billy Alexander slides throughout this track, or maybe it just so happens to be the powerhouse of all of it.  "Gun Shy", which is now available on I Tunes, showcases Melanie's true vocals, and lyrically tells a story of a woman scorned, who is about to fire back, for the first time since, and this time.....well, it may not be pretty.  Ironic, considering the beauty of Melanie Joe, and the talent we have here.  This song is guitar-laced, almost like a "blues driven", jukebox slam it down, drink another, let's get up and twirl song.....to be simple, buy this one!!  Country has a hidden talent here, I say if you are a fan of the rebellious Miranda Lambert, or the blistering Alaina Blair, then this track and artist is a no brainer.  Hell, even if you love country, blues, rock, and a good time of music-this song is a match, I'd even refund your money personally if you hate it, because I truly believe in her, and Billy, and I know you can't hate this music.  "Gun Shy" is a great, simple tune, with quality lyrics, quality guitar, and fine tuned vocals, with a sultry vocalist....you cannot possibly go wrong anywhere!  Pick it up today!

RATING: 10/10

 

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Alaina Blair-Alaina Blair

 

Well folks, Alaina Blair is back on the scene with her first full length release.  Let

me just say, this album will rock you to your feet, and that is a good thing.  I love this record from track one to track ten.  "Sweet Talkin' Lola", the first song, is a blues-driven, rockin' tune, that sets the tone for the album.  It reminds me a lot of Orianthi music in some moments, and also with some country thrown into the mix.  "Fall From Grace", track number two, is a bit slower, but written very well, and one of my favorites off this album.  Alaina does very well vocally on this track, and the organ is performed gracefully by her music partner, Billy Alexander.  Such a wonderful, blissfully composed track!  The third song on the album, titled "Down", is an upbeat track with great melody and rhythm.  Alaina's vocal range is shown well in this song, and lines like "you've been holding me under, and it's been making me wonder...."...are so deep and driven well into our heads.  This track is so good, it's got the word, "single" written all over it.  It reminds me a lot of a Sheryl Crow track.  Now, onto my most favorite song off the album, and currently of any album out there right now.  The song is called "I'm A Mess".  I absolutely love this song, it is by far my favorite song of the album, and it rocks to the bottom of the bottle, and into the next bottle!!  I enjoy the beat of the tune, and Alaina and Billy do one hell of a job with this song, if you want to sample any track from this record on a site to decide to purchase this album (which you should anyways), this is the track you definitely should sample first, no doubt!!  The tracks "Why", "Goodbye To Love", and "Tellin' Time", are all three killer tune, both lyrically and vocally.  I mean, I have no clue why more people have not gotten word on Alaina Blair, but this record will get their attention, there is absolutely no doubt about it.  If you thought my love for the GYPSY GIRL EP, was grand, this album by far surpasses it.  I thoroughly enjoyed this, loved it, and will be rocking out to it, jamming to it, and praising it to all my friends and colleagues for days, months to come.  By the way, check out the song, which I believe is track number nine, called "Place To Escape".  That track is well worth the record itself as well, let there be no doubt whatsoever.  Grab this album, from one of the links below, head to the sites, check out Alaina, give her facebook a "like", support this beauty, this talent.  She flatout rocks, and you will be rocking to once you pick up this wonderful musical effort.  Alaina Blair is the next big thing, that is the main point here, listen to what defines "real" music, Alaina defines it quite well, in her own way, so you've heard it here....watch for Alaina everywhere...soon!!

RATING:10+/10

 

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Alaina Blair-"Just Belong"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaina Blair-Gypsy Girl EP

                                Alaina Blair shines in this well-produced EP.  There is little room for doubt, and no room for skeptics remaining here.  GYPSY GIRL, the EP, is an amazing collection of powerhouse hooks, anthems, rhythms, and ballads that reel the listener right in.  I'm not sure if it is the piano melodies, the blazing guitar hooks, or the angelic mixture of Alaina's voice in all three; but this composition works wonders indeed.  With a country-influenced sound, it sounds like someone whom we should already know on the radio, but folks, we have just began to know Alaina Blair.  With the first cut, "Just Belong" soaring into the second track, ""Crazy Dream of Mine", we see evidence of the true talents she possesses.  Guitarist, Billy Alexander, who doesn't get enough credit on this release, really pours his soul out and shines on the tracks "A Beautiful Melody", and my favorite song of the entire recording, "Fall From Grace".  There are no so-called "fillers" on this EP, just good songs, if not great tracks!  Alaina is a beautiful, and remarkable singer.  Her talents are blessed with a soul-driven guide to succeed, and is blessed to have an amazing band behind her efforts.  A song about the ups and the downs in life's relationships, titled ""How Hard Do We Wanna Work", is a testimonial to most people in life these days, and I am certain many can relate to this track.  Finally, "The Curtain Falls", is a track that reminds us all that the day isn't over just because the sun has set. Just because a relationship comes to an end, doesn't necessarily mean that life has, or is for that matter.  This is an excellent, relaxing release, a true EP, and I recommend picking it up off her bandcamp, or I-tunes today!
RATING: 9.5/10

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