Blind Mule - Blind Mule

1. Bend It

2. Day I Was Born

3. Pickin' Up Your Feet

4. Who Is Gunna Pay

5. Firehouse

6. Not Your Home

Bind Mule have released their debut album, which is self-titled. This album shows the band in a very all over the place way. They have a bluegrass feel to some of their songs, while others have a live pub band type of feel. These guys aren't really close to any bands because of their all over the place, and not sticking to one genre. Closest band we can think of is early Barenaked Ladies, so if you were into them in the early 90's, this band could be for you.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent quality, but the album feels like it could be louder and a bit crisper. The album has a bit of a rougher, not super produced feel to it, and that could hurt this in the end. Not bad thought. With the instrumentation here, the album feel like the band has just played pretty averagely on their debut. We don't feel this really matters much though, as the style of music they play, doesn't really call for crazy instrumentation, just good old ability to play. All in all, decent.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, with the vocals, the singer sings pretty well, and you can hear just what he is saying, so you can get the message out of the songs. He can certainly sing and that makes the songs easier to get into. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about everyday life and just things you deal with from day to do. These are very relatable topics and things for people to latch onto. We think they are just complex enough that most people can get the message of the songs. Not bad 

If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so listen to the whole album or you won't really get an idea of the album since every song seems to be different here.

Blind Mule have made a debut album that gives the band something to play, and a base for people to understand what the band is all about. We feel the band needs to narrow down their sound and pick a style to go with so that the band has something defined that the fans can grab onto, otherwise they will only like certain sings. Not bad for a first effort. Give the album a listen to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Bluegrass/Country/Folk

Release Date: 2013

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

Website: http://www.blindmule.ca/

Label: None

Brooklyn Roebuck - Storyteller

1. Storyteller

2. I Don't Need You

3. Jacked Up Pickup

4. Hold My Hand

Brooklyn Roebuck has released her debut album titled "Storyteller". This is her debut album after winning the YTV singing competition "The Next Star." The album is very much on the new style and side of country music. She has a mix of youth and potential in the songs here. She has a similar sound to people like Kira Isabella, Tara Oram or even a Meghan Patrick, so if you like those artists, you could really like this album. She has done a pretty good job here. 

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent quality, while still being a pretty independent self made album. The album doesn't sound too bad though. With the instrumentation, the album sounds pretty basic, and it won't really impress you that much when it comes to this part of the album. To be fair as well, most country albums are not super complex when it comes to the instrumentation either, so it fits right in with what she is doing.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, with the vocals, Brooklyn can certainly sing, and she shows it all over the album. She can sing, and shows off how clear her voice is, so you can understand just what she is singing about. Not too bad. With the lyrics, Brooklyn seems to go for pretty basic and stereotypical themes for country music. love and guys with pickup trucks. We guess this appeals to the small town music lover, but there isn't much substance here to the lyrics.

If you are looking for a s ingle to this album, give the song "Storyteller" your attention, as it is the best song on the album and will really give you an idea of how the rest of the album is.

Brooklyn Roebuck has made an album that starts her career off, and shows you the type of music she wants to sing. This also gives you a portrayal of the type of musician she wants to be and her style. This album is pretty basic, but it does what it needs to, and gives her an entry into music. We think she did an alright job for what it is. Listen to this album to decide f or yourself what you think about it. 

Genre: Country/Singer-Songwriter

Release Date: 2013

Location: Chatham, Ontario

Website: http://www.brooklynroebuck.com

Label: None

The Strumbellas - My Father And The Hunter

1. The Sheriff

2. Lakes

3. The Bird That Follows Me

4. Rhinestone

5. I Just Had A Baby

6. Left For Dead

7. Windsurfers

8. Sailor's Blues

9. Pistol

10. Underneath A Mountain

11. Diane

12. Carry My Body

The Strumbellas have released their second album titled "My Farther And The Hunter". This album is one that carries on with the same sound and style of their debut, while expanding their work. They have that twangy, country folk sound that feels like you are in a western style bar. This is a pretty cool sound. The band has a similar sound to that of band like The Lumineers, The Head and The Heart and even Mumford and Sons, so if you are into those artists, you could really like this album. They have done a really good job.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty high standard. These songs sound great and have a very listenable sound with them, a nice clear, solid recording that is also crisp. The instrumentation on the album is a bit different because they are using more instruments than a traditional band would use. Using banjo, acoustic guitar, piano, violin, and more, gives this album a very wide range. It's nice to see a band able to utilize many sounds and go it well. There is nothing too crazy in the play though, but it is very nice and solid. They can certainly play.

Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals on this album are very good. Their vocalist can certainly sing, and he has a b it of a dirty, folky sound to his voice. They also use a bunch of gang vocals which sound really solid as an added touch to the vocals. All in all, he can sing really well, the vocals are clear, you can hear every word he is saying and it works with the style of the band. Good Job. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about small town living, a lot of cowboy era songs as well, so they want you to feel like you are in that time and what it would be like. This seems to be the theme of the record and they have done a pretty decent job with it. 

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "The Sheriff" your attention, as it is the best song on the album and really shows off the album the best.

The Strumbellas have made a record that adds to their set for live shows, and shows off a theme of cowboys. They have made a decent album and we like it. There is something that works here, and we can't wait to hear what comes out next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Country/Folk/Indie

Release Date: February 21st, 2012

Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Website: http://www.thestrumbellas.ca/

Label: None

Gentlemen Husbands - Mirror Doll Business

1. Family Economics

2. Ramblin' Andy

3. Goin' To Church

4. Bad Girl

5. Woodwork

6. Mirror Doll Business

Gentlemen Husbands have released their second album titled "Mirror Doll Business." This album follows along with the same style and sound the band created on their debut album. They have a country Indie rock feel to them, and it really airs on the side of country more than rock. They have a similar sound to that of Wilco or The Lazys, so if you are into those bands, you could really like this album. They have done a solid job here. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly solidly. This album has a nice crisp sound, and it is very listenable. The instrumentation on the album is just pure, straight rock playing. Nothing flashly, nothing over the top, just a nice solid sound. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are  quite good as well. Their vocalist has a nice hard, in your face style, that really brings a full sound to the recording. He can certainly sing, and he is very clear, so you can get just what he is singing about. Great overall. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs that are very small town, and sing about cowboys, drifters, ladies, church, and giving it an old western feel all over. The overall sense here is that the band is trying to give you a scene and set the stage for you to imagine the things they want you to. We aren't really sure that many people can relate to this, but it will take you away from the stresses of everyday for a bit. We like that. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of this album. Gentlemen Husbands have given you and album that can help you escape, and have some fun. We aren't personally fawned of the style, but we appreciate it. Solid job on this album, and gives them more to pull from while playing shows. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of them. 

Genre: Indie/Rock/Country

Release Date: 2010

Location: Cobourg, Ontario
Website: http://www.gentlemenhusbands.com/

Label: None

Gillian Nicola - No Place To Call

1. February

2. Lose You

3. Oh Marie

4. Stay

5. Unconditionally

Gillian Nicola has released her second album titled "No Place To Call." This album follows with the same style and sound as her debut.She has a very soft, folky country sound that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of listeners. When listening, you get a bit of a more adult targeted sound here, so with that, we would give her a comparison to that of a Colby Caliat, or Vanessa Carlton, so if you like those artists, you could enjoy this album. Gillian has done a nice job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has pretty decent sound, while still having a touch of indie/diy styling to the background. The instrumentation on this album is pretty simple, but that what is good about it, just a plain, simple, listenable album. Good job. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on the album are really nice, soft and clear. Gillian's vocals and be listened to by anyone and you can hear every word. She has a nice calming voice that you can listen to while chillin'. With the lyrics, she goes for songs about what certain times of the year mean to her and relationships between two people. These are quite common topics for songs to be written about. She doesn't just come straight out and "I love you, I miss you" she goes for more of a story with her emotions. We think a lot of people will be able to connect with these lyrics. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. We suggest "Oh Marie". Gillian has made her sophomore album pretty similar to her debut album, so if you are familiar with her music, you will enjoy this album. She has a nice sound that a wide variety of people can get into. Now we just hope to hear more from her and see her out playing more. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Folk/Country/Singer-Songwriter

Release Date: April 15th, 2016
Location: Waterdown, Ontario
Website: http://www.gilliannicola.com
Label: None

Big Tobacco & The Pickers - Big Tobacco & The Pickers

1. The Drunker You Get

2. Whispering Palms

3. Time Ain't On Your Side

4. Return To Sender (Say It Ain't So)

5. Lonesome, On'ry And Mean

6. My Own Hell

7. No Good Gal

8. I'm Fine

9. Livin' By Rolling The Dice

10. Hey Hillbilly

11. Beans For Breakfast

12. The Legend Of Ma Barker
13. Sing Me Back Home

Big Tobacco & The Pickers have released their debut album which they have decided to self title. This album shows the band in a very country, bluegrass sort of Hillbilly style. These guys have that typical old style country music that you go square dance to, artists like Brooks & Dunn or Dolly Parton, so if you like that type of music, or even Stompin' Tom, you could like this music. They have done a pretty good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been done to an alright standard. It could have been done a bit better, but also for sure could of been worse, so it's on the average side. The instrumentation on this album is pretty standard, nothing to blow you away, but also nothing to make your ears bleed from terrible playing. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are your standard country vocals. Their singer can certainly sing and you can for sure hear them clearly, they just seem to have that twangy old style country vocal to them. Not bad. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about being a hillybilly, eating beans and pretty much the cowboy lifestyle of things. These lyrics go back to a time in history that has been lost, but not forgotten. We think people will like these lyrics if they like cowboys. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of this album. Big Tobacco & his pickers have made a debut album that really throws the traditional country around here. They have a good starting ground here which will hopefully serve them well when it comes to making their next album. We hope they get out more if they want to make this more that just a for fun band so they can expose more people to their music. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of this album.

Genre: Country/Honky Tonk/Bluegrass

Release Date: October 10th, 2010

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.bigtobaccoandthepickers.com/

Label: None

Mikey Chuck Rivers/Cactus Keith - Woebegone Lodge

(Mikey Chuck Rivers)

1. Woebegone Lodge

2. Sometimes You Gotta Be A Pussy (If You Wanna Be A Man)

3. Wiseness

4. The Guilt Of Living Simple (In A Complicated Age)

5. Once In A Lifetime

6. Totally Thinking About What I Shouldn't Be Thinking About

7. Black Dog

8. Stay Young

9. Cold Night

Mikey Chuck Rivers and Cactus Keith have decided to put their work together and collectively released their first album. This effort is titled "Woebegone Lodge." This album has a really drunken hick, around a campfire with a guitar, singing about dumb stuff feel. This is both lyrically and musically. The best way to describe it is if the Jackass TV show gang were hicks, this is what they would have wrote. Now Cactus Jack has more of a 50's vibe going on here which makes this a strange combination to put together and try to sell to fans because you can't really market the album to a target market. When looking at the recording quality of this album, it has two different recording qualities. Mikey's songs have a pretty nice recording quality, but the Cactus Keith songs are really missing the quality and have low vocals. The instrumentation of both artists set of songs are quite average. They both can certainly play, but it feels more like guy around a campfire kind of play. Now onto the vocals and lyrics. With the vocals, both artists can sing, but it is pretty average, nothing bad but nothing to turn your head. Now the lyrics on this album are a bit of a small town, cottage country feel to them with Mikey, but Cactus Keith's songs seem more for the regular everyday person. Some work is needed but not bad for a start. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song or two so you know what the artists sound like. Mikey Chuck Rivers and Cactus Keith's debut songs are nothing really to get excited about, but what they do is get theses guys out there and give them a base to start from. Hopefully they both progress and can hear get things from them in the future. Listen to this album to decide for yourself to what you think about it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Country

Release Date: September 9th, 2010

Location: Clinton, Ontario

Label: None

Doc Yates And The Kings Evil - Sweat It Out

1. Blue Skies, Green Eyes

2. These Shoes

3. Daisy

4. Four Fingers Of Whiskey

5. ShakeEm Down

6. Hard Road Home

7. First Dance

8. All That I Needed

9. Closer (Until We Meet Again)

Doc Yates And The Lings Evil have released their debut album entitled "Sweat it Out." This album definitely makes you sweat it out while listening to it. The album was certainly interesting to listen to and something we hadn't heard before, but not all different means good. They have a similar sound to that of Alan Jackson or even a Dean Brody, so if you like those artists, you could like this album. they have done an okay job on this album. the instrumentation on the album is nothing to get excited over and has a pretty average sound. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocal style of the singer is something else. However he is trying to sing those songs is just the last thing to expect from putting on an album. A change is certainly needed. With the lyrics, they have a very typical country message to them, old country that is outdated and not what everyone is listening to nowadays. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to know the album. Doc Yates And The Kings Evil have made an album that sounds like it came from your old time rowdy country bar all the older country people visit every Friday. A little change in style and sound would benefit this band. Good try though. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Country/Bluegrass/Alternative

Release Date: January 2017

Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Website: http://www.docyates.com/

Label: None

Maddy Rodriguez - Don't Be A Stranger

1. Tahiti

2. Some Of You Please

3. So Long Diana

4. Unspoken

5. Go On And leave

6. Falling Up

7. All The Wasted Time

8. The Hummingbird Song

9. Freedom Of Speech

10. Don't Play With My Heart

11. Don't Be A Stranger

12. Un Poco de Ti

13. Don't Be A Stranger (Acoustic)

Maddy Rodriguez has released her debut full length album titled "Don't Be A Stranger." This album is more so a collection of all of her singles that have been released previously. She has a mix of being country while also pop. She has a similar sound to that of Carrie Underwood or even a Miranda Lambert, so if you like those artists, you could like this album although it has a bit of a younger feel to it. Maddy has done a pretty good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a fairly good standard. The instrumentation on the album is certainly noting to boast about, but country music is more simple. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are done quite well, Maddy can certainly sing and she h as a really nice and clear voice. This girl has a great singing voice. With the lyrics, they seem to be more on a younger note being about high school trials and tribulations or wanting to get away to the sun. They could use some work, but for a straight forward simple counrty album, they are not bad. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Don't Be A Stranger" your attention as it is the title song and shows off what the album is all about. Maddy Rodriguez has made an album that works well as a start to a career with lots of potential here. She has what you need, it is just very early. She needs to get out there more and let people hear her. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Country/Pop

Release Date: March 6th, 2012

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.maddyrodriguez.com/

Label: None

The Strumbellas - The Strumbellas

1. Indiana
2. Underneath The Mountain
3. I Ain't Trying To Die (It's Just My Style)
4. Carry My Body
5. The Racer

the Strumbellas have released their debut album which happens to be self titled. This album really shows the band in that folky sort of country way that seems to be getting a bit bigger recently. These guys have a similar sound toCity and Colour and Mumford And Sons, so if you are into those artists, you could like this band. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded alright, it could be better, but it could also be worse. The bands instrumentation isn't bad here, these guys can play their instruments to a fair degree. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album have been done fairly well, their singer can certainly sing and he has a nice clear voice that you want to listen to. With the lyrics, they have been done fairly well also, they have a nice story to them and give you a fair depiction of what the singer is singing about. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of this album. The Strumbellas have a pretty good sort of welcome to album here and it is nice to see a band that is trying to do something the way they want it to be done. We wish this band good luck and see that there could be something here. Now all that is left is to play, play, play so people get to know you. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Country/Folk/Indie

Release Date: March 1st, 2010

Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Website: http://www.thestrumbellas.ca/

Label: None

Cuff The Duke - Life Stories For Minimum Wage

1. Blackheart
2. Hey Baby
3. The Difference Between Us
4. Hobo Night Stalker
5. Long Winter
6. Lonely Path
7. Ballad Of A Lonely Construction Worker
8. Anti-Social
9. Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump
10. The Trouble And The Truth

Cuff The Duke have released their debut album titled "Life Stories For Minimum Wage." This album is one that really has that folky indie feel to it when that was just starting to be a thing. If you like artists like artists like Tokyo Police Club or July Talk, you could like this artist. They have done a pretty good job for a debut album here. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly decently, although it seems the vocals could be a bit louder, as well as the keys. This band does seem to have a pretty good instrumentation as well here, which is nice for an indie band. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are done in a spacey, kind of poetry speaking way while still being clear, while the lyrics are sporadic at times and they don't quite make sense in some cases. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song to give you the feel of the album. Cuff The Duke have done a pretty good job here on their debut sort of welcome to album, which is a little different than we are used to but its something we can appreciate. These guys could have something here if they just keep progressing and streamline the sound a bit. We look forward to what is next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Country/Folk/Indie

Release Date: October 15th, 2002

Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Website: http://www.cufftheduke.ca

Label: Three Gut Records