Tony C and the Truth
Tony C and the Truth is a group that mixes blues and funk with hip hop beats and turntable sounds. The band’s album Demonophonic Blues was released in 2003. The lead singer has a deep, raspy voice that draws you in.
The group hails from New York state and is made up of six members: Tony C., Tobias Ralph, John Harvey, Patrick Halley, DJ Prestige and Jason Moscartolo.
“Ball and Chain” is an ironically upbeat song with a catchy chorus that is repeated at the end. Songs like “Someday” show the group is very versatile with its style. The lead singer raps with a background music of alternative rock.
There even seems to be some country influences in the guitar playing of “Got it Made.”
Most of the songs on the album are upbeat with the exception of a few such as “No Pain,” which has a guitar solo that makes the song more enticing.
The last track of the album is a rock/blues cover of “Fight for Your Right (to Party)” originally by the Beastie Boys.
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Chronophonic
Chronophonic fuses funk and hip-hop with electric guitar riffs giving off a hard rock vibe.
Footwork was released in 2004. Most of the tracks combine brass instruments with rap and/or spoken word.
The words are very involved and make the listener want to turn up the volume to hear exactly what the lead singer is rapping about, especially with songs such as “Bean So Hot.”
Other songs are instrumental like “Deep Puddin’ Pt. I” and “Interlude,” which make a good contrast to the spoken word of the other songs.
Drums and brass are key to this album for an amazing back beat and a flowing yet loud rhythm.
The eight-member group comes from Denver and some of the members are recent grads or current students at DU.
The album title track “Footwork” is full of words racing with the background of Fender Rhodes, bass, brass and drums that all contribute to the song in a way without which the unique sound could not be imagined.
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Carina Round
Backed by a menagerie of instruments and sounds, such as a metal tray and gravel in a box, Carina Round needs to make a vocal tornado for her voice to be heard. Luckily, she was successful on The Disconnection, where her gaspy, raspy, gloomy throat noises spike the listener’s ears and don’t let up.
Although the music is forgettable, Carina Round’s vocals are sexy and interesting. Maybe this alienation of noises gave the album the namesake. Listen to Carina Round at KVDU.
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Ambulance LTD
You are now listening to the score from a dark comedy. Ambulance LTD has crafted an album worthy of a movie with dry humor and wit and a depressing plot line such as a Wes Anderson flick, noticeably the Royal Tenenbaums.
This New York group doesn’t fit into any single genre. It was experimental sounds, electronics, pop singles and mind blowing rock. Tune in and you will trace your life like the screenplay of your favorite movie. Listen to Ambulance LTD at KVDU.
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Franz Ferdinand
Attention partygoers, it’s time to put on your dancing shoes and slam a boilermaker (for those of you who don’t know, a shot of whiskey dropped into a pint of beer).
The time has come to hit the dance pub on a chilly, rainy night, grab a dance partner, and move your hips to the sounds of Franz Ferdinand.
A band from Glasgow, Scotland, Franz Ferdinand’s solitary plan is to persuade the feet of its lady listeners to dance the night away.
Don’t be mistaken, the boys of Franz Ferdinand are still a sexy rock ‘n’ roll band, combining 60s pop structures, cigarette rock licks, and groove worthy drum hits.
The boys have a noticeably British sound of past decades, but what they’re putting out is something new and fresh for the new rock dance scene.
Now is the time to realize that dancing can be done without baggy pants, handkerchiefs and diamonds, and Franz Ferdinand is a great starting point. Listen to Franz Ferdinand at KVDU.
