Crown Lands - Mantra

1. Being Right

2. Mantra

3. Sweet Avalon

4. One Good Reason

5. Scott Fitzgerald

Crown Lands have released their debut album titled "Mantra". This album shows off the band in a very old school rock way. These guys sound like they just came out of the 70's with their sound and style. We would say this band has a similar sound to that of Led Zeppelin, Rush and even Black Sabbath at times, so if you like those artists, you could really like this band. They have done a pretty good job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded with the 70's in mind. In that, saying that the songs don't have everything crisply recorded, or to an over produced quality. This helps with the sound they are trying to get to. The instrumentation here, is really good considering the band is just a duo. These guys can certainly play, and when you find out it's just two members, it totally changes things. On top, the guitarist can really play, and you hear some decent drumming as well.

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are done quite well. Their singer can sing, and his talent is showcased all over thew songs on this album. You can hear the holding of notes and being in tune while he belts out parts of the songs. Very well done vocals. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs that are a little out there with having to struggle with yourself, relationships calling you out, hippy and being with earth, and more. These songs are a little more in the style of a band from the time period this band is trying to feel as. They have done a good job in getting these songs to appeal to a classic rock fan.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the title song "Mantra" your attention, as it is the best song on the album, and it really encapsulates what the band is trying to do with the music.

Crown Lands have released their debut album and this one really shows you what the band wants to sound like and where they want to take their music. Now unfortunately there is nothing new here, since they are throwing it back to an older time, but they do a great job at it. We think there is a market here, and yes, people who don't embrace older music, will not be into this. This still sounds good, and will generate interest for sure. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Rock/Classic Rock/ Rock & Roll

Release Date: 2016

Location: Oshawa, Ontario

Website: http://www.crownlandsmusic.com/

Label: None

The Honeyrunners - The Honeyrunners

1. Jet Set

2. Spirits

3. Sweet Thing

4. Out Of My Mind

5. Fool

The Honeyrunners have released their debut album titled "The Honeyrunners." This album is one that really shows off the the band and their traditional rock sound. The band also utilizes the use of keyboards which helps to enhance their traditional rock sound. Tese guys have a similar sound to that of The Balconies or The Beaches, so if you like those bands, you could like this album as well. They have done a good job here. When looking at the recording quality of the album, this album has been recorded to a really decent quality. The sound is nice and crisp, while being able to make out everything going on in the recording. The instrumentation is nothing to crazy, you can tell the band can play, but nothing wild or over the top that gets your head turning. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics. With the vocals, the singer has a nice clear but traditional singing voice. This band, and the singing in particular don't really have anything special or unique to them on this album, but they can just can give a decent performance all around. We would like to see an element jump out though, to not just be another indie throwback rock band. With the lyrics, the band tends to go for songs about learning life, growing up, finding love after a hard time, music, and having the world crash down on you. These songs feel like the ups and downs of what can happen to you in life. It's nice to see a band that does this, as many bands make all sad songs or are way to happy, it's nice to get a blend. 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 an idea of the album. The Honeyrunners have made a debut album that shows off the style and sound the band is going for. We hope that with the next album they can give themselves a little more identity, as we know the playing and music is there. We would also like to see this band around more so people can learn about them. Not a bad album overall and can't wait to see what is next. Give this album a listen to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Indie/Rock & Roll/Alternative

Release Date: June 1st, 2013

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://honeyrunners.com

Label: None

Daylight For Deadeyes - Daylight For Deadeyes

1. Breakin' My Back

2. This Night

3. Feeling Low

4. Leave

5. Let You Go

6. Fill You Up

Deaylight For Deadeyes have released their debut album which happens to be self titled. This album is one that has that rock feel of those older type of bands. It is a sound that goes more with those bands who have weekly contracts with bars. They have a similar sound to Big Sugar or even a Counting Crows, so if you like those bands, you could like this one. They have done a not too bad job on the album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a fairly well standard. The instrumentation is more on the average side, but they manage to play solidly. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on the album are on the sort of country rock side. They are nice and clear while being able to tell that the vocalist can sing. With the lyrics, they are very much about a girl and what they hope happens or the aftermath of what happened. These are very typical lyrics for this style of rock. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so pick a song and give it a listen to see how the album sounds. Daylight For Deadeyes have put together a debut album that needs some work and a style change so that they get out of the older rock, bar band style of rock and more into the radio rock. Hopefully with the changes they can really hit it. Not bad, not our style. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Rock/Alternative

Release Date: 2005
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Website: http://www.daylightfordeadeyes.com/
Label: None

The Speakeasies - Better Side Of Not So Good

1. Better Side
2. Hope That Lives Today
3. The Race
4. Hold Out Your Hand
5. Come On
6. Put Down Your Lies
7. Shakin' Your Body Right
8. They Chased Me
9. Good Times Parade
10. Lucky Man

The Speakeasies have released their debut album titled "Better Side Of Not So Good." This is one album that really hits that friday night local bar night scene, they have that sort of sound that all those bands are doing. They sound pretty similar to a Sam Roberts or a Tragically Hip, so if you are really into those bands, 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 fairly decently, but unfortunately they aren't really doing anything here with the instruments that really wows you. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals are that of a standard adult rock band, they are not bad, but nothing to really write home about either. With the lyrics, they seem to have a lot of whoas and yeahs in it, which really are not our thing. write some more lyrics instead of using musical words. 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 Speakeasies have written an album that really just says local friday night bar band, so if you want to see that, you can go to any bar in and town and see a band that is pretty similar. This isn't a bad album, but it doesn't really stand out either. Hopefully with some progression the band can get more of their own sound and break out of this. Listen to the album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Rock & Roll/Rock/Classic Rock

Release Date: March 3rd, 2008

Location: Guelph, Ontario
Website: http://www.thespeakeasies.com/

Label: None