AUGUST & J – 40

When a CD landed in my mailbox recently, I was shocked by the contents of the music on it. I’ve known the guitarist (the J portion of August & J) a few years now via the internet, by being members of several common mailing lists concerning hard rock and metal. Having heard him talk about his music not necessarily totally reflecting his listening tastes, I was surprised to see how drastically different the music of their self-produced album 40 was from the hard rock and metal realm. And not that I have a problem with that either after soaking in what August & J are all about.
 
For starters, the music falls into a category that would actually appeal to two genres of music lovers: mellow melodic rock and country, but with less twang. But really, their sound defies categorization. Yes, it’s predominantly acoustic/laidback, and with the songwriting style that tells stories as opposed to just being lyrics to a song, but it rocks in its own way. I suppose if I had to lay any comparison towards them I’d say Danny Vaughn-ish in parts, later era Bon Jovi without being derivative, and almost Jacob Dylan-ey in places. The music is stripped down, bare, and pure raw emotion. Though stylistically it’s not entirely “my thing” I actually really like it. With tracks like “For Once,” “Searching For A Way,” “The Moon,” and “The Silence Won’t Do” August & J have really put together a great collection of songs.
 
To be an album produced by their selves, it’s amazingly crisp and sharp sounding. The excellent production strengthens the songs and performances greatly. I’m sure some folks will think I’ve gone easy on this album simply because I’ve known J, but that would be the furthest from the truth. It’s simply a good album that deserves some recognition. Don’t believe me? Then go to www.augustandj.com and listen for yourselves.
 
***1/2
Chris Martin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply