(Red Ink, 2006) Mellowdrone is essentially a vehicle for guitarist/singer Jonathan Bates’ songs and artistic vision, rather like Nine Inch Nails is really just Trent Reznor. The only real difference is that although Bates writes all the music and lyrics, he allows other musicians to play on some of his songs. And it’s quite […]

(Nettwerk/Bedroom Classics, 2006) Josh Rouse’s 7th album, Subtítulo (Spanish for “Subtitle”), is a relaxed singer/songwriter affair, well-suited for spring and the accompanying warm weather. As Rouse and his backing band weave their way through nine stories (and one instrumental), the less consequential numbers, like the opening trio of “Quiet Town,” “Summertime,” and “It Looks […]

(Taffy Fountain, 2006) It’s not often that we here at MusicBeet get to review a genuinely underground album. This is one of those delightful occasions. This Great October are a local Wichita, KS, band whose eponymous debut album was released this January at a four band concert in a smoke-filled Eagles Lodge in their […]