mailto:DemoCritiques@musicconnection.com?subject=MC Demo Critiques Column

Yvonne Perea
Contact: 714-404-3465; info@yvonneperea.com Seeking: Distr., Film/TV Style: Singer/Songwriter Web: http://www.whitegirlblues.com/	Production: 8 Lyrics: 7 Music: 7 Vocals: 8 Musicianship: 8 Average Score: 7.6

Perea’s dusky vocal tones are hard to resist on this full-length CD of original tunes, whose soft hooks and deeply felt lyrics are evidence of a true artist. “Closed For The Day” features deft production touches and arrangements from Matt Bissonette. “Beautiful Again” explores themes of self-worth and inner strength in a way that would appeal to fans of Melissa Etheridge. It’s clear that these songs are from a seasoned artist who has lived, loved, suffered, savored, and prevailed.   

Soul Picnic
Contact: Chris Ross, 323-851-6025; crdrums@earthlink.net Seeking: Label Deal, Film/TV Style: Instrumental Jazz/Pop Web: www.crdrums.com	Production: 7 Lyrics: x Music: 6 Vocals: x Musicianship: 8 Average Score: 7

Veteran duo Bob Robles (guitar/songwriter) and Chris Ross (producer/drummer) have a collection of tasty instrumental themes to offer. A Santana flavor infuses “Outside In,” and benefits from some nice vintage guitar tone from Robles. That up-beat tune is followed by another, “My Little Bird,” which features sparkling production and backup playing. The slow, bluesy “Remembrance” benefits from smooth organ work. This an altogether adept project that could impress music supervisors.  

Bob Burger
Contact: 732-532-4248; contact@bobburger.com Phantom Power Productions Seeking: Label, Distr., Film/TV Style: Rock Web: Official Bob Burger Website Purchase Surprise Party	Production: 7 Lyrics: 7 Music: 7 Vocals: 7 Musicianship: 7 Average Score: 7

Burger has had pro songwriting hook-ups, including Styx, and on this collection of solo stuff it’s clear he’s an artist who knows his craft. What’s most striking is how mainstream the appeal of Burger’s songs are, at times exhibiting essences of Bon Jovi and Don Henley. “Crashing Down,” “Almost Doesn’t Count,” and Fairground” (on which he conjures an Aladdin Sane vocal shimmer) are all hooky, well-performed songs. Burger, who’s had a placement with HBO, should focus on more film/TV opportunities.  

Catya Mare
Contact: katya@c.dk Seeking: Film/TV Style: Pop/Classical Web: myspace.com/catya mar	Production: 7 Lyrics: x Music: 8 Vocals: x Musicianship: 6 Average Score: 7

Danish beauty Catya Mare is an accomplished classical violinist, and on this CD she attempts to break free of her formal training by virtue of melodic pop instrumental themes. Her pieces feature propulsive beats and a world music penchant. Despite her tentatively bowed violin parts (she could perform her lines with a little more confidence) each tune’s evocative soundscape vibe suggests a snug fit for film or television accompaniment. We suggest Mare continue to develop her improvisational chops.  

Apocalyptic Cowboys
Contact: Brian Emmel, 615-300-5927; brianemmel@com Seeking: Labe Deal Style: Pop-Rock/Country Web: Myspace.com/apocow boys	Production: 7 Lyrics: 6 Music: 6 Vocals: 7 Musicianship: 7 Average Score: 6.6

Not a typical name for a country band, you say? This polished Nashville-based band have crossover goals in mind, and while there is a strong undercurrent of country running through their tunes (an occasional banjo lends a down-home flavor), there are even more rock and pop elements at play. Abby Fletcher ably fronts this seven-piece, whose “Bad Raincoat,” “High Maintenance,” and the sexually blunt “Give It To Me” are slick, commercial and rocking. We’re still not sure about that name.   

The Bastard Suns
Contact: Wayne Ross, 404-551-4963 Seeking: Label Deal Style: Ska-Punk/Reggae Web: Sonicbids.com	Production: 7 Lyrics: 7 Music: 7 Vocals: 6 Musicianship: 6 Average Score: 6.6

The name of this Atlanta band’s album, Blood, Sweat & Beers, tips you off that they intend to live up to their self-described “drunk rock” style of music. Best of the bunch might be “Stay/Go,” which alternates slow reggae grooves with balls-out punk rock frenzy. Singer Clayton Hiers growls “My Pint” convincingly (and his bandmates shout choruses with gusto), but he comes up short on “Fight Aggression,” which is a  “white guy does toaster impersonation.” Still, this is a clever, energetic party band.   

B-Boyz
Contact: D. Abrams, 845-242-6834; urbanikon@aol.com Seeking: Label Deal Style: Hip-Hop Web: www.urbanikon.com	Production: 7 Lyrics: 6 Music: 6 Vocals: 7 Musicianship: 7 Average Score: 6.4

Rappers Fred Nitty, Young Nuk and Hype Dre comprise B-Boys, a teen rap project that’s been mounted by production team Dre Money and G-dub. “We Hit ‘Em Real Hard” shows some solid verse-rapping from the kids, but the song’s droney chorus wears out its welcome fast. We like “Rockin’ All the Shorties” much better. Maybe the best tune on the CDis the old-school-infused “Freak Dat.” The producers have skills that their young proteges will need to work harder to match.   

Music Connection reviews both EP-length demos and full-length albums that have yet to connect with an established distributor. The two ways to submit to us are:

• Snail mail a package to: Demo Critiques c/o Music Connection, 16130 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 540, Encino, CA 91436. Include a photo and a high resolution jpg on disk, brief bio, current contact name and phone number, and a music CD. Indicate three songs for review and include lyrics to each. Or you can:

• E-mail an EPK by visiting www.sonicbids.com/mcdemocritique

If you are chosen, we will contact you by the phone number you’ve specified.

The package or EPK you send us should be the same you send to the A&R community, management firms, publishers and attorneys. All submissions are randomly selected and reviewed by an executive committee. All submissions become the property of Music Connection and will not be returned. Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee that every demo will be reviewed. (If your music does have distribution with an established distributor, it is not eligible for Demo Critiques. Instead, it is eligible for our occasional Disc Reviews area.)

©2006 Music Connection Inc.