Posts

Wheel - Resident Human

Image
I've been really looking forward to writing about this album since I first laid ears on it a few weeks ago. I hadn't heard of this band until someone in a Tool group recommended them and me being the new music sponge that I am, dove in head first.  It just so happens they had just released this brand new album Resident Human and I got sucked in, listening to the entire thing front to back and then immediately again after, I needed to absorb it more. The rhythms, the bass tones, the strong vocals, the percussiveness, and excellent song structure, it was to me, everything I love in a prog band/album.  I'm also going to do something a little different with this blog post and add some photos I took while out on a run and blaring this album on headphones. I highly recommend listening to this album through headphones, and loud. I experienced it differently, able to notice little nuances and really soak it in without distraction.  First a little bit about the band. They are a four
Post a Comment
Read more

Valerie June - The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers

Image
  Valerie June - The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers  I've been uncertain and admittedly a little slack on which album I was going to review next, I had many under consideration but couldn't pin point which one I wanted to write about. Then someone suggested this one (thanks Ruthie!) and I'm so glad she did.  I've heard of Valerie June, and I've always been drawn to how gorgeous she is. Her beautiful thick long dreadlocks, gorgeous smile, dazzling persona and style, I just needed to know more. She is a singer songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee and encompasses many styles from roots to r&b, gospel folk and and even a bit of country.  In all honestly I haven't really taken the time to listen to her music as much as I should so I'm really glad this suggestion came in.  This album's title The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers is certainly fitting. There's an airy, atmospheric flow to it that is easy on the soul and mind, and gives
Post a Comment
Read more

Aspects - Impossible

Image
 Aspects - Impossible Release date -  Dec 13, 2020    Shining some light on Ottawa based hip hop artist Aspects latest album Impossible for this review. If you haven't heard this talented dude yet you're missing out. An incredibly hard working, diverse musician, who with this latest release, brings some fresh beats to our ears.  Can we start off by talking about that album cover? Impossible with the IM crossed out, leaving the words POSSIBLE just speaks for itself. Along with a ghostly Scorpion glowing between his hands, I think this is such powerful, well thought out album art. Aspects has been on my radar for a few years now. If you follow him you'll see he's always putting out or working on something, whether it's playing live (pre-pandemic), posting covers, online streaming or heading into the studio. You can tell music runs through his veins, and he's got a variety of musical tastes. You'll hear him spit out everything from hip hop to soul, reggae, root
Post a Comment
Read more

Lespecial - Ancient Homies

Image
Lespecial - Ancient Homies  My first blog review is of Ancient Homies, the third album release by  Lespecial , a power trio hailing from Millerton, NY. I discovered this band a few years ago and have had a couple of their songs from previous albums on regular repeat. The thing that excites me most about these guys is how they mesh so many styles together in an experimental way and succeed brilliantly in doing so. When I saw they released a new album I of course dove right in, eager to hear what they've created and let me tell you, it's a musical journey!  The opening track Snell's Feet is a journey in itself, starting off with the feeling like you're entering a sci fi realm. It proceeds to pick up pace and reminds me of being in the throws of a video game, no doubt letting your mind paint a picture of what kind of story you're in, but I definitely envision aliens and a monster needing to be defeated.  The next track The Vessel has a Nine Inch Nails vibe but with a f
Post a Comment
Read more

Introduction to the Hive

Image
 Welcome to The Groove Hive! This has been a long time goal of mine, to start a blog where I will dissect and share my thoughts of latest music releases, and also when live shows are happening again (we are currently in a global pandemic), reviews of shows I attend.   I'm a music lover to the core, a sponge for what's new and fresh (to me) and don't settle for one genre. I'm all over the map, and this blog will be to. I might review a local obscure jazz fusion band one day and a progressive metal band from Sweden the next. The sole purpose is to share in the appreciation for the arts. I'm also a musician and know how much goes into releasing music and sometimes you just want someone to take the time to really listen to it. (Isn't that what we all want in life? Someone to listen to us? For real 😀) Back in high school I had a stint as a music journalist for my local newspaper (I'm from a small town in New Brunswick, Moncton, but currently live in Ottawa, ON).
2 comments
Read more