Because Music Matters.
We have some solid albums in this month’s Top 30 from artists such as Graveyard Club, Alt-J, Banks, and many more! Whether you’re into indie alternative rock, synth pop, or hip-hop, there’s something here for you.
Chet Faker Live
Show Date: 9/10/14
Rating: 9/10
“You gotta know, I’m feeling love…” the repeated lyrics from Chet Fakers single, ‘Gold’, accurately describe how I feel about the Melbourne, Australia native and his self-produced music making it onto the charts. The relaxed twenty-three year old, Nicholas James Murphy, goes by the stage name of [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/chet-faker/id439036555?uo=4″ title=”Chet Faker” text=”Chet Faker”]. As there is already an Australian musician by the name of Nick Murphy, he created this stage name in an ode to inspiring jazz musician Chet Baker. Faker took on the name when he uploaded his first cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” in 2011.
Jeezy: Seen It All: The Autobiography
Release Date: 09/02/14
Rating: 6/10
Bundle up trap fans here comes the Snowman aka. Young Jeezy with his fifth studio album Seen It All: The Autobiography. Now at the age of 36, many agree that it was finally the right decision to drop the Young and just be labeled Jeezy. However Jeezy is still the same old Jeezy with tracks such as, Me Ok, ¼ Block, and How I Did It.
The Kooks: Listen
Release Date: 9/8/14
Rating: 8/10
Well, well, well, it looks like the Kooks are gettin’ kind of funky here. Listen has been described as having some ska and even hip-hop influences from this traditionally indie rock band from Britain. This is such a deviation from their norm that if Luke Prichard didn’t have such a unique voice, this album wouldn’t even be recognizable as the Kooks. Because of that, this newest release rubs some people the wrong way, but personally I can dig it.
Since it’s inception in Brad Selko’s back yard the Hot August Blues Festival has grown to fill the hillside at Oregon Ridge every year, packing another side stage and a huge kids area. It’s also gone through a name change to the Hot August Music Festival. Selko has long tried to vary the genre of acts gracing the stage and this year is no exception with a great varied lineup including: Old Crow Medicine Show, Nickel Creek, Dr. Dog, Tab Benoit, Turkuaz, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Cabinet, Houndmouth, Long John Hunter, ELM, Bosley, Jordan August Band, and The Solicitors.
One of the many unexpectedly unforgettable free concerts of the Rochester International Jazz Festival
To some, standing shoulder to shoulder in a rambunctious crowd of Rochesterians on an 85-degree night might seem unpleasant, but as I scanned the crowd, I couldn’t find a single soul that wasn’t enjoying the concert. Mingo Fishtrap was kicking off the third night of the Rochester International Jazz Festival in an unforgettable manner. It was hard to imagine cars ever driving on Gibbs Street because the music lovers had claimed the road as their own. Strangers quickly became dancing partners and friends as Mingo Fishtrap’s soulful funky sound assertively boogied its way through the crowd.
