Fresh New Artist: The Jim O'Ferrell Band a.k.a. The J.O.B.

I remember when I first listened to Breaking Benjamin’s album Phobia back in high school; I had it on repeat for more than a week. I was totally addicted to the sound. The war imagery, in both the lyrics and the music, was a complete HIT as far as I was concerned. I couldn’t get enough of that kinda music, and I hadn’t till this morning. Enter The J.O.B. and that was remedied!

Band Members:
Jason Crawford: Electric Lead Guitar
Justin Poroszok: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals
Antonio James, Jr.: Drums
Jim O'Ferrell: Vocals & Acoustic Rhythm Guitar

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia (USA), The Jim O’Ferrell Band was formed when Jim returned from a stint in Iraq in 2008. Little wonder, then, that The J.O.B.’s music incorporates heavy war imagery. A case in point being their song Guardian (from the EP 'Letters'), which talks about life, peace and war from a soldier’s perspective. Blending acoustic and electric guitars with drums that make their presence known only occasionally, Guardian hits all the right notes effortlessly.

Messenger is heavier than Guardian in terms of the guitars and the percussion. The lyrics aren’t anecdotal; they’re more like a montage of images – broken, but painting a bigger picture. The distorted guitars coupled with acoustic riffs and Jim’s ardent vocals infuse true emotion into the track. Songs like Messenger prove that you do not need elaborate or poetic lyrics to effectively complement the music.

The J.O.B.’s newest single (to be released this July), Feel, is a more upbeat track filled with optimism and serene thoughts. This one has more of Americana in it than the other two tracks. But it still sticks to its Mod-Rock sound while exploring the more ‘folksy’ genre. Jim’s voice reminds me very much of Three Days Grace’s Adam Gontier. Overall, Feel is a great song to include in your Valentine’s mix-tape or ‘Sunny Days Playlist’ without sounding mushy. That’s a total win-win!!

Verdict: If you are a Breaking Benjamin fan, listen to this one. You’ll love it. If you’re NOT a BB fan, listen to this and you’ll still love it! (Although Breaking Benjamin is more Alt-Metal than Modern Rock, The J.O.B.’s music comes closest to their Phobia phase.)

Artist Review + Free MP3: Hana Kim

There are some songs that you feel are apt for your life's soundtrack. They may have lyrics that fit your situation, or they may have an upbeat tune that you can imagine playing in the background as you walk down the street on a sunny day. Indie/Soul singer-writer Hana Kim's music falls under such a category.
Imagine your life being one big chick-flick, and then imagine Hana's music playing in the background as you ponder over a Long Distance Call (a Phoenix cover) or consider living in Mexico. Her mellifluous, soulful voice, when accompanied by the piano, as in the song Leave You exudes a Colbie Caillat-like innocence, while the upbeat song Good Feeling has a peppy Lily Allen-like vibe. There is not a single discordant note to be found in this sleekly produced live in-studio album aptly title Studio Sessions.

But Studio Sessions isn't her only album. She released the single Almost Famous not too long ago and played at such venues as The Viper Room, Saint Rocke, Hard Rock Cafe, Room 5 Lounge, and many universities including CSU Los Angeles, UC Santa Barbara, CSU Long Beach, CSU Pomona, and many more. She has also participated in many events such as the Chula Vista Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival and Asia's Got Talent (with Kaba Modern), KONNECT Panel, and been featured on media internationally (such as Paraguay's National TV Show "El Gigante De La Manana"). 

Another one of her EP, titled Until You Believe, was released back in 2010. It is evident from her work that she has a consistently appealing sound and continues to deliver impeccably produced music along with her dedicated posse of musicians. Check out her EP here. Also, Check out her video for the song Mexico which is also available for free download below!!

 Free Download: Mexico by Hana Kim.

Artist Review: Harry

It has been so long since I last wrote anything on here, it has been giving me pangs of guilt every time I checked my email and found a beautiful comment or a new artist update. But I'm back now and the first thing I'm gonna do is tell you about a great new artist!

Harry is a singer-songwriter from London (UK), with a sweet voice and a much mature outlook towards life than could be expected from kids his age. At just sixteen, Harry has succeeded in creating a medley of beautiful  tunes that touch your heart, whatever your age may be. His music portrays the innocence of youth with an uncanny peek at the mature soul inside. He has an easygoing, earnest manner of singing that is soothing to the ears. 

'This Is War' is a song that has an Enya-esque quality to it. Harry sings of war with such a calm demeanor that completely contradicts the nature of the idea that the lyrics convey. Most teen artists talk of being who you are, of being free and wild. Harry talks of being cautious, keeping your head down and being inside a shell. Of a life where enemies hide behind every corner and lurk in every shadow.
This Is War has the music that can lull you into believing he isn't warning you of a vicious war at all! Instead, it feels as if he is telling you of a faraway time when some faceless strangers fought their wars and left memories of the bloodshed; to be recounted by loving mothers to their little ones while they are being tucked into warm beds. Nowhere is the music harsh or exactly “war-like”. It kinda reminds one of The Call by Regina Spektor. The ribbons of string instruments in the background build up to an excellent, classical-inspired climax. This could be a perfect song to be considered for the next Hunger Games movie soundtrack. 

Harry's second song, ‘Bicycle that can fly’ shows the vulnerability of a lost child as analyzed by an adult mind. The song was apparently written when he was just ten years old. I wouldn't venture as far as to say that he had a really deep meaning in his mind when he wrote it originally. But maybe now, for people who listen to it at a much older age, it definitely has some philosophical connotations. The music is simple and elegant and accentuates his voice instead of drowning it out in a melee of instruments. The ribbons of cello in the background give the song a poignant quality. The minimal use of acoustic guitar evokes the feeling of a sunny day and fluffy clouds. The video is a dash of eccentric genius! Definitely something to make a note of.

I like how the strongest element in both songs is Harry’s voice, which is untouched by any kind of fancy filters or effects. His ability to emote the lyrics that he is singing is what makes the songs have the impact that they do. I guess some people are just born with oodles of talent, eh? Anywho, here is a sample of some of Harry's other songs. And you'll have to admit, these are just as great as the two I just reviewed. Enjoy these until I return next time with another interesting post. :)

Verdict: Harry is definitely an artist to watch out for. He just might be the next big thing!

Song Review: Smooth Criminal by 2Cellos

They came. They saw. They fucking destroyed the music scene! The first time I saw 2Cellos performing their famous cover of the Michael Jackson song Smooth Criminal on The Ellen Show, I was blown away by how effortlessly they manipulated that four stringed instrument to sound like a whole band! They were the percussion, the rhythm guitar, the lead guitar all rolled into one single instrument. I never thought a cello could round so rocking. I'd obviously heard of cello-rock before, but it didn't appeal to me until now.

Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic are two cellists from Croatia. They became an instant phenomenon last year when they uploaded their version of Smooth Criminal on Youtube. Within no time, they had a million views and a record contract in their cello cases!

Let me describe what 2Cellos really is. It is a treat to watch them perform as much as it is a bliss to hear them play. They get so engrossed in playing that instrument to perfection that nothing in the world seems to exist for them. It is just them and their two cellos and the omnipresent notes of the song that they are playing. The intensity with which they play is evident from the way their bows seem to be shred to ribbons by the end of the song. They must need a new bow after every performance, methinks! And the ecstatic expressions on their faces seem to crescendo with the music itself. If you could headbang on a cello, you'd do it like Stjepan and Luka.

They recently featured in the Glee episode (aired on 31 Jan 2012) where Naya Rivera and Grant Gustin sang to their accompaniment of Smooth Criminal. Glee and 2Cellos - does it get better than that? Heck to the no! They really redefined that song.

Bonus Time:
Their rendition of Welcome to the Jungle has a class of its own. How can anyone make that big old, upside-down violin (no mockery intended) sound like an electric guitar, a bass and a drum set all at the same time? Hats off man! Another song to watch out for is their cover of Highway to Hell by AC/DC. With only a drummer to accompany them, they effing ROCK the already rocking classic rock song!