Frosted Green Productions Music Reviews

Review #31 Artist: Freddie Bourne EP: The Troubled Boy At The Bonfire Disco  Freddie Bourne has yet to cease to amaze me.      While I know it's been a minute since Frosted Green's last review, you may recall that  I also took a listen to Freddie's previous release, "Vulnerable Commercialism " (listen to it here ). That less than typical live EP in my opinion, felt like a very refreshing look into what goes on  in the mind of the modern-age singer-songwriter. Well now he's back again to flip the tables!      "The Troubled Boy At The Bonfire Disco" is the musical love-child of Ed Sheeran , Coldplay , Mashmellow , and Avicii . Yeah I know, strange baby. It's really good though!      As I began listening to this EP I was met with about what I expected ... at first.  On "I Hope You Don't Forgive Me", there is forty-seven seconds of very pretty and professionally produced finger-picking and...

Review #30 Artist: Jackie June Single: On the Move     In the world of late 90s and early 2000s rom-coms, the viewer sees the camera pan down to a shot of Manhattan or Los Angeles from above. This is followed by a cut to that particular film's female protagonist as she walks down the street holding hot coffee that she most likely is about to spill on someone who we will have to get to know for the next 90 plus minutes. All the while, "On The Move" by Jackie June is 100% setting the tone for these opening shots and would be listed as the first song on that CD soundtrack compilation. Remember those? They were the best. Now we have "playlists" … "sigh".     "On The Move" is our first taste of new music released by Jackie June in 2020. Likely gearing up for some more big releases, June is coming off a strong 2019 which included the release of her debut EP, "Wildflower" and an opening slot for 80's pop sensation, Tiffany a...

Review #29 Artist: All Systems Go EP: The Waiting Room Well it’s nearing the end of the year, and the end of the freakin' decade. And since the beginning of 2019, we have all become a bit wiser (I think), less patient (definitely), angrier (slightly), and grayer (unfortunately), but then there is this band, All Systems Go . These four dropped their first full length record entitled, Garden State Skies in January, and now not even a year later, are on the verge of bringing us this brand new six track EP named, The Waiting Room . Slated to be released on December 6th, this new EP shows how much this musical unit has grown in under a year’s time. While GGS was a strong opening act met with rather positive reviews from their fans (as well as FG **cough, cough**), The Waiting Room has them arriving at the whole new level. The band, comprised of Matt, Devin, August, and Joe, tried something a bit different coming into the production of TWR . As stated in some of their rece...

Review #28 Artist: Paddy Kaye Album: What It Means to Be Roadkill Paddy Kaye’s debut album “What It Means to Be Roadkill” is by far one of the best modern folk albums I have heard. Admittedly based on the title I originally thought I had this one pegged. I read the name and I was like, “this album is going to be lyrical strong, mostly just acoustic guitar, and very gritty”. Well boy, was I blown away! So to start, I wasn’t always into folk music, when I was in high school if it wasn’t punk rock it went right over my head. Bob Dylan was boring, Willie Nelson was way too country, Joni Mitchell I just couldn’t get into it, and Leonard Cohen… well, I still only know one song by Leonard Cohen. Long and short of it though, I was a shitty music fan and all I cared about was power chords and what pissed my Dad off. Fast forward like five or six years, a few music classes in college, and a weird neo-folk revolution that even Mumford & Sons abandoned, I discovered that folk ...

Review #27 Artist: Rick Barth Album: Fade So if you know me, you know I am no fan of country music, and sometimes I even grow tired of classic rock. That said, having seen Rick Barth perform live, I knew that this was an album that I didn’t want to sleep on. Rick Barth is a New Jersey based solo musician who is currently promoting his second full length album, Fade . This follow-up to his 2015 debut record, Hand Me Down Soul , carries 12 tracks and caps out at 54 minutes long (I let Spotify do the math, don’t worry). Out of the dozen tracks, three of these songs stood out to me the most. We Had Fun (Didn’t We?) , Stranger Things , and Leave all heavily showcased Barth’s emotional connection to his music, and that is something a true music fan should appreciate in any genre.     We Had Fun (Didn’t We?) is not only the first track on the album but probably one of the most relatable. From what I gather, the song details a life that does not end up achieving all...

Review #26 Single: Done. Artist: Colosseums It starts with light atmospheric electronics. The song then punches you with a guitar riff reminiscent of Linkin Park’s Meteora , that riff is followed by vocals worthy of a Tyler Carter project. Finally, visceral and modern Bring Me The Horizon screams are thrown into the mix of this 2019 summer rock bop. The above is just a blueprint for the Colosseums ’ track called “ Done.”. Colosseums is a four piece, melodic hardcore band from the UK trying to bring some welcomed uniqueness to their genre of choice. According to band bios, the unit intends to blend elements of hip-hop and r&b with their grungy modern emo sound. While I didn’t notice too many of those elements in their first single “Done.”, I do feel that the sound portrayed in this song will definitely have them on the fast track to genre success and recognition. Having already shared the stage with similar bands such as Palisades , Normandie , and Young Guns ,...

Review #25 Artist: The Atom Age Singles: Never Looking / Walk Through Walls This is one of those crossovers that you never really expected to get, but you’re pretty okay with it once you see it. What we have here to me sounds like The Menzingers meets Jet . Together, they form The Atom Age ! Releasing their first new tracks since 2015, The Atom Age has unveiled the two singles “Never Looking” and “Walk Through Walls” via “Tiger Dream Records”. Both songs live on the brand spankin’ new album “ Cry Til You Die” , which dropped today (August 23rd, 2019).  The Oakland band will be rocking a release show tonight at Slim’s in San Francisco, CA and then will be coming to the east coast for a December 27th gig at Philadelphia's own, Kung Fu Necktie . Firstly I would to say that I enjoy the band’s Tom and Jerry-esque single artwork (which can be seen on their Spotify page) because it matches quite well with the tone of these two tracks. The aggressive and in a way...

Review #24 Artist: Rory D’Lasnow Single: Never Be Mine So Rory D’Lasnow is an emerging solo artist grabbing his music career by the nards. Not only has he been releasing his own music since 2011, he is now beginning to play gigs with a full band behind him and at larger venues such as New Jersey’s own, Debonair Music Hall. Oh and by the way, this guy plays upside down. Like he learned to play that way… and I thought math was hard. Rory’s newest single, titled “Never Be Mine” was released on July 19th and it features vocals from the singer and guitarist of The Victory Drive , Jaime Mcclanahan. Jamie also happened to have produced and recorded the track at his personal studio, Audio Faktory . This pop rock summer jam kicks off with what one might think is a surf rock type chord progression, and then suddenly it becomes this abrupt “f@#k you” guitar riff, that I wish we heard more of! While the lead guitar does carry throughout the track, it falls to the wayside of the son...

Review #23 Artist: The Darling Fire Album: Dark Celebrations If you haven’t heard of Florida’s The Darling Fire yet, it may tickle your fancy to know that this band is an under the radar supergroup that consists of ex-members of Dashboard Confessional , Poison the Well , and The Rocking Horse Winner .     Starting things off big, TDF went right for the debut album release this June with their label, Spartan Records . “Dark Celebration” is an 8 track LP, produced by J. Robbins, who is most known for his work with bands, Government Issue and Jawbox . The songs are expertly recorded and have a soundscape vibe which I think is pretty rare in the alternative/punk rock genres.      One of the first things I did as soon as I began listening to the record was unintentionally compare TDF to The Cranberries ! To me, I think this is a fantastic and positive comparison (I hope the band feels that way too) but I do wish my brain hadn’t done so r...

Review #22 Artist: Wormtooth Album: BREACH So this one is going to get weird! Wormtooth is a Philadelphia based hip-hop artist who dropped their first full length album, “BREACH” this past April via Bandcamp. Remaining anonymous, the musician(s) that make-up this industrial horror-core rap act, declare their sightings to be few and far between. So good luck getting an unobstructed view of these talented creatures.     Sounding very much like Mindless Self-Indulgence, Hollywood Undead, The Avalanches, and Mike Shinoda all rolled into one, Wormtooth brings unique beats, atmosphere, and guest appearances to this debut release. One track that stands out to me is “Legend ft. Harrowgrove”. Found towards the end of the album, this track acts as one of the more melodic pieces on the record. “Legend” uses distorted vocal techniques and well-crafted lyricism to keep listeners interested and wondering where the song might be heading next. While this album is anything but ...

Review #21 Artist: Jackie June Album: Wildflower     Jackie June is probably one of the most promising pop artists to come out of 2019 so far. I’d like to start out by saying it’s been quite awhile since I have heard five consecutive tracks off a pop album or EP that each have maintained lyrical and musical substance. This release brings me back to the days when Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne, and Sara Bareilles first came out, and that’s a very good thing. SPOILER ALERT! So, I will happily be going over a few tracks off Wildflower, but if you are interested in reading about what I thought of “Chasing Nightmares”, definitely scroll down our review feed to find the posting for that single’s release! SPOILER ALERT!     Anyway! As I stated above June’s debut breaks the mold for today’s typical pop music, well at least when referring to the brand of music that is heard on the radio lately. That said, Jackie’s first track, ...

Review #20 Artist: Blue Vervain Song: Cycle     Sometimes less is more, and Blue Vervain’s debut single, Cycle does a great job of giving listeners a slight taste without giving away the new band’s entire vibe.     After listening to Cycle a few times, it’s easy to understand why BV felt this was the right choice for their grand unveiling. This song is merely a wonderfully done tease of what is to come. It’s brief, it’s interesting, and it dives into a variety of sounds.     While there is a chance that the full album, Wounds, dropping September 6th, may sound nothing like this single, I still think Cycle is a solid choice in the sense that it’s progressive simplicity sparks curiosity. What I found in this song is a well blended mixture of genres. The beginning, well the first half of the song really, feels very much like a track produced by an artist living in the new singer-songwriter age. This odd area in music, in some scenes has ...

REVIEW #19 Artist: All Systems Go Album: Garden State Skies     So basically All Systems Go decided it was time that us creatures of Earth, also known as the human race, needed to be hit with a bomb filled with the long lost angst of our teens. They called this explosive music device, Garden State Skies and god damn, am I okay with it! If you were a fan of popular rock music between the years of 2000 and 2008, you will find something to enjoy on this nine track record.     In a general sense, All Systems Go’s debut record plays as a 30 minute love letter to the blink-182 pop punk nostalgia that many wish the latter band still held onto through today. Putting aside your feelings on the status of today’s major label pop punk bands however, ASG definitely delivers the tone, feel, and mood that you are craving. They do this by blending the angst, humor, and emotion of mid-2000s blink , with flavors of music history created by the likes of Dashboard Co...

REVIEW #18 Artist: SarGasm Album: Monster of the Week     My whole life real metal music has never really resonated with me. Seventies metal, I always saw it as classic rock, Eighties metal, hell no…, Nineties metal, to me it meshed a lot with grunge, and the 2000’s, well it became a weird offshoot punk. I never could sit through full albums by Metallica, Megadeth, Lamb of God, or Behemoth though. Not that I at all disrespect the genre, I just can’t truly appreciate the songs the way they deserve to be appreciated. So going into SarGasm’s 2018 EP Monster of the Week I expected have the same lukewarm reaction. Well I was very wrong. SarGasm is a four piece band from Long Island, NY with a healthily growing discography. Monster of the Week is the group’s third multi-track release since they formed in 2015 and it is by far their peak to this point. Professionally recorded by Front Row Recording and mastered by Westfall Recording Studio , this five song EP brings a m...

Review #17 Artist: The Brothers Union Albums: Paper Hearts / Little Blue Room 2018 was a busy year for the two O'Reilly brothers that make up fifty percent of the alternative rock band, The Brothers Union . The four piece musical outfit released two fully produced EP’s last year, the first called “Little Blue Room” and the second called, “Paper Hearts”. Both releases were expertly produced and can be found on Spotify, as well as all other major music streaming platforms. Starting with overall sound, one can not help but note that this band definitely understands what it is to be “alt rock”. Their musicianship captures the current atmosphere of the genre while also taking influence from artists who forced the genre’s creation in the first place. I once read somewhere that “alternative rock musicians were are just punk musicians who learned how to play their instruments”. While I’m clearly paraphrasing and this may be true in some cases, The Brothers Union is most assuredly a...

REVIEW #16 Artist: Freddie Bourne Album: Vulnerable Commercialism There is a lot to enjoy on this release, but the three most important things are that it is unique, it is heartfelt, and it sounds amazing. Freddie Bourne is a solo singer/songwriter from Jackson, NJ who shows off his professional vocal and piano skills in this new live EP called Vulnerable Commercialism . Being his fourth release, Bourne clearly felt like it was time to try a different approach to releasing new music. These new songs were recorded infront of a live audience in what seems to be a very intimate setting. Not knowing where the show took place I think enhanced the listening experience for me. I spent a lot of my time listening, trying to place where the performance could possibly be. My brain for some reason placed him in a hotel bar, but I mean a good one. Not like a Holiday Inn , but like Hilton or something fancy! Okay, I’ll stop now. I’m clearly showing that my wallet has not taken me...

REVIEW #15 Artist: Nude Shoes Album: Suburban Ceremonies     Break out the time machine folks, the mid-2000s are back! I mean between 2019’s Warped Tour lineup and this Nude Shoes’ release, let’s all just move back to 2008, yeah? I’m all for it, except the recession. Let’s skip that part.     Meanwhile in the present day, Suburban Ceremonies dropped, via Know Hope Records, onto the New Jersey music scene’s radar on March 1st, and I do apologize for being late to the party. That said, I hope traditional and new wave (?) pop-punk fans have so far appreciated the work of Andy Katz’s latest musical endeavor for its quality lyrics and light melodic hardcore tone. I know I do a lot of comparisons in my reviews, but I feel as though fans of A Day to Remember , Spitafield , and The Spill Canvas will all find something to enjoy in this freshman EP. My personal favorite track would have to be “Headache for a Debacle” because of its energetic intro and...

Review #14 Artist: Grey Goes Black Single: Break Apart Again/Don’t Stop     Having worked with Grey Goes Black several times live and in concert, I can promise you that they know how to put on a show. The band’s equipment is top notch, they are massively talented, and the even bring their own deep sea blue stage lighting that sets an interesting mood throughout their performance.      Now that you know what you’ve been missing, I can tell you about the latest “single” release from GGB that you should give a listen. Searchable on Spotify as Break Apart Again/Don’t Stop , this experimental rock band goes a little further down the rabbit hole with two tracks that act as a follow up to 2017’s And Inside There Was Only Water .      While the trio’s past release definitely leaned on the experimental side, it certainly emitted more of a stadium rock vibe that could be found in the music of U2, Nine Inch Nails, and 90’s R...

Review #13 Artist: Suspicious Minds Album: Electric Elvis Suspicious Minds’ debut album, Electric Elvis , can be best described as a love letter to rock and roll. The band’s name alone is a shout out to The King himself as is the releases’ memorable title. Hell, if there was ever a genre called “Swing Metal” (which there very well may be) these four rockers have brought it back with a vengeance. This here is something special. One of my favorite things about listening to records is finding what artists have buried between the proverbial and musical lines. Discovering the artists that inspire your favorite musicians can always help you appreciate the history and hard work behind every song. So when going through Suspicious Minds ’ first record, I couldn’t help but hear literally a whirlwind of influence coming from artists such as My Chemical Romance, Green Day, The Struts, Hinder, Metallica, and Volbeat. I could honestly go on about all the cool and “possible” easter...

Review #12 Artist : Halogens Album : Happy Hour EP Like a millennial sledgehammer to the face, Hologens ’ opening track, “Pretty Enough” from their new Happy Hour EP , slings all too relatable lyrics at our misunderstood and all too stressed out generation. There is something about the line, “I’ve been slacking, off too much and drinking, you’ve been making sure I promise to eat” that just triggered the thought, “yup, been there” inside my head. I hate it when this happens because I’m never sure if that’s a good or bad thing. **sigh**     While fitting in to the current “in-style” version of pop punk, once you look past The Front Bottoms and Sorority Noise flavored surface, you may find that this four piece has a taste for the more complex parts of bands like The Wonder Years, Have Mercy, and Tiny Moving Parts . The lyric paintings and subtle complex guitar parts nudge the listener to see these musicians as a little bit more than just another average pop-pun...

Review #11 Artist: The Victory Drive Album: Before I Self-Destruct     Jamie McClanahan is a jack-of-all trades, he can play, produce, mix, and master. Over the years, those skills has have shown and evolved in the work of his clients Eliot Feldman and Jackie June, but most notably in his personal venture, The Victory Drive . While not containing my favorite track, 2018’s Before I Self-Destruct was expertly produced at Jamie’s self-owned studio, Audio Faktory . A studio named after his love for German made instruments and music production. Behind these doors, The Victory Drive has been releasing music with varying stage lineups since 2009 and has grown to perform with acts such as Sparks the Rescue , Rookie of the Year , and The Used .     The first track on this “newish” release, Hey Anxiety! , in a way sets the tone for the following four songs. Sporting a pop-punk mask, this beginning number lacks the energy and brightness of the aforementione...

Review #10 Artist: Mike Oregano Album: Livin’ On Love Mike Oregano isn’t the rude boy ska needs, he’s the rude boy ska deserves. Okay, well making him the Batman of ska right off the bat may be a little hasty considering he’s more reggae than ska but I wanted to say that so… yeah.     Anyway! To be honest, if Livin’ On Love doesn’t get Mike Oregano to the next rung of the professional music ladder, the rest of us are sure in trouble. This crisp, clean, and beautifully produced 10 track LP is the equivalent to a soon-to-be high school grad’s reach school. You remember those right? The school that you know you want, that you think you can get it into but aren’t quite sure how yet. Yeah, that one! Well, Mike just got his acceptance letter.     For first time listeners, Mike Oregano is a traveling professional musician who knows well over 100 cover songs, can play parties, book your event, create original music, and even season your meal. The g...

Review #9 Artist: Sweaty Boy Album: Live from WPU Take it for what it is, and to a degree it may be unfair, but Sweaty Boy’s LP, Live from WPU , reminiscent of The Font Bottoms’ idiosyncratic, playfulness. And that isn’t a bad thing, in fact, it’s good company. The first song off the LP, The Lego Star Wars Song, is an example of this; the band’s vocalist sings, “I just unlocked all the ghosts the other night. I got Mace Windu, I just copped Count Dooku. But Yoda’s usually my go to,” over a flanged, melancholy rhythm guitar and beautifully crafted guitar harmonies. If listeners appreciate Sweaty Boy’s playful opener, then Live from WPU is worth your time. The album contains thirteen songs and sits at thirty-two minutes, with the band practicing the art of brevity; it doesn’t drag one second longer than it should. If you’re interested in listening to more songs by the newcomers, be sure to check out Catfight , Flock of Sheep , The Beach , New Friends , and My Feelin...