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Articles by Kelley Marks
20 Greatest Contemporary Rock Bands from Nashville, Tennessee
Nicknamed by many as the “Music City” of the US—particularly as it relates to country music—Nashville, Tennessee, has a metropolitan population of about two million souls and is the twenty-first most populous city in the country. This list includes the 20 greatest contemporary rock bands from Nashville, though it probably doesn’t include all of them, because the music life of every city changes on a daily basis.
20 Greatest Rock Bands from Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, the third most populous metropolitan area in the US, may have the most rock bands of any city in the country. It may have the most heavy metal bands of any city in the US! Also please keep in mind this list only includes rock bands from the city of Chicago or its 100 suburbs and hinterland, all of which cover a surface area of 10,286 square miles. Now let’s begin the countdown! 20.
20 Greatest Rock Bands from Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, the third most populous metropolitan area in the US, may have the most rock bands of any city in the country. It may have the most heavy metal bands of any city in the US! Also please keep in mind this list only includes rock bands from the city of Chicago or its 100 suburbs and hinterland, all of which cover a surface area of 10,286 square miles. Now let’s begin the countdown! 20.
10 Dark Songs in Minor Keys
Chasmac is a semi-retired guitar teacher who has taught in various schools in London and elsewhere for over 30 years. One thing that almost all songs in minor keys share is negativity. Songs in minor keys can express a wide range of emotions, but there's always a troubled edge to them, which, unlike major keys, makes them pretty useless at expressing qualities such as celebration, triumph or joy.
Synth Album Review: "Play '80s" by Karl Vincent
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Karl Vincent’s Play '80s is a well-produced, aurally fulfilling album that exudes lush, engaging retrowave goodness. It combines some absolutely undeniable melodies with a wide-ranging sonic paintbox to create classic synthwave with real quality in my view. Karl Vincent understands the elements that comprise classic synthwave and deploys them in a satisfying way on Play '80s.
42 Country Songs About Dogs
Ray has been an online music writer for over four years. Having sung in multiple competitions as a youth, he has a passion for the art. There is nothing like a dog's love, which is why several country musicians have composed songs dedicated to our pets. It is typical of country songs about dogs to be exceptionally sentimental. Singers often write odes to their beloved pets who have passed on, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.
110 R&B Love Songs
Ray has been an online music writer for over four years. Having sung in multiple competitions as a youth, he has a passion for the art. R&B love songs are among the most heart-wrenching genres. These love songs make listeners feel uniquely intimate and relatable. Usually, the songs embody tender lyrics, polished vocals, and a touching message. Despite too many selections to include, we tried to have some that surely deserves a place on your playlist. 1.
Synth Album Review: "Spellbound 2" by Wraithwalker
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Wraithwalker’s Spellbound 2 is full of seething shadows, battering beats and terrified tension. It plays on Gothic horror and cosmic terror while still being melodic, expressive and occasionally even uplifting. It has a lush sonic palette and effectively evokes a broad range of emotions as it unfolds.
94 Songs About Texas
FlourishAnyway believes there is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song. Celebrate the Lone Star State, where everything is bigger and arguably better. Make a playlist to honor it. Pete Alexopoulos via Unsplash, Free Domain, modified by FlourishAnyway The State With Valor and Swagger Folks often say that "Everything is bigger in Texas," and it's true about their bravado, as well. You don't find state pride like this in the other 49.
Synth Album Review: "Miami Squeeze" by Zak Vortex
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Zak Vortex’s Miami Squeeze is a retro-inspired synth album that bubbles with dynamic energy as Zak Vortex blends together an ear-catching palette of synths to paint clear pictures in sound. While there’s a clear ‘80s sensibility to the sound, the different musical elements interact in unique ways to create something fresh.
Synth Album Review: "Your Future Awaits" by Electron Odyssey
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial impressions Electron Odyssey’s Your Future Awaits combines intensely varied, richly textured synth sounds with intriguing harmonic moments and engaging melodic writing. When coupled with the massive power of the drums and deep wells of bass, the end result is a sweeping sonic journey over ear-pleasing soundscapes.
100 Best Rock Trios of All Time
I have been an online writer for over six years. I am passionate about books, philosophy, music, and the music industry. The compositional structure of three-member rock bands has a distinctive aesthetic. When you listen to the music of a tight three-piece band, the first thing that slays you is the dynamics. Rock trios have an architectural element of sound and form that is truly inspiring.
Ancient Empire "Priest of Stygia" Album Review
I've been an obsessed hard rock/heavy metal fan and collector since the early 1980s. If it's got a good guitar riff and attitude, I'm in. Ancient Empire, "Priest of Stygia" Country: USA Genre: Traditional/Power Metal Label: Stormspell Records, 2021 Tracks: 8 / Run time: 39:53 The Californian true-metallers of Ancient Empire have been a consistent and prolific crew, cranking out a new studio album almost every year since their 2014 debut When Empires Fall.
Synth Album Review: "Aquamaster" by Aquamaster
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Aquamaster’s self-ttiled album is full of classical retro synth sounds that balance with his skillful guitar wielding and strong singing voice. The album has a cinematic sensibility in which each track is a filmic moment, unfolding in words and music.
Blazon Stone "Damnation" Album Review
I've been an obsessed hard rock/heavy metal fan and collector since the early 1980s. If it's got a good guitar riff and attitude, I'm in.
"The Broken Law: A Tribute to Judas Priest" CD Review
I've been an obsessed hard rock/heavy metal fan and collector since the early 1980s. If it's got a good guitar riff and attitude, I'm in.
Synth Album Review: "Dreamstream" by Mirrorvoid
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Mirrorvoid ’s Dreamstream is a dense, intricately interwoven tapestry of synth sounds, varied percussion and melodies that combine emotion with dynamism. All of these elements create an album that takes me on a journey through strong aural imagery and atmospheric sensations each time I listen to it.
Progressive Rock Album Review: "Other Worlds and Golden Ages" by Flight Mechanic
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Flight Mechanic’s Other Worlds and Golden Ages is a progressive synth and guitar journey through strong sonic imagery and multi-layered instrumental textures. The album has a great deal of flowing, airy atmosphere along with striking moments of beautiful melody and intricate guitar playing. Flight Mechanic uses this album as a canvas on which to paint with music.
Venom, "Cast in Stone" Album Review
I've been an obsessed hard rock/heavy metal fan and collector since the early 1980s. If it's got a good guitar riff and attitude, I'm in. Venom, "Cast in Stone" Original Release: SPV/Steamhammer, 1997 "Expanded Edition" Reissue: Sanctuary Records, 2006 Ahhh, Venom. Whether you loved them or hated them, you can't deny the impact that this demonic trio of Brits had on the early '80s metal scene.
20 Greatest Rock and Roll Duos of All Time
A rock guitarist since the 1970s, Kelley has been a fan of rock, blues and jazz since the 1960s. It Only Takes Two to Tango A few of these rock duos have performed only by themselves, though most have backup bands that may seem nearly as large as orchestras—yet they’re still considered duos, a label the music industry seems to prefer. At any rate, we’re lucky to have these mini-bands, aren’t we? Now let’s begin the countdown for the greatest rock duos! 20.
16 Best Quarterbacks for the Los Angeles Rams
NFL football has been one of Kelley's major interests since the 1960s. He's watched every Super Bowl except #XVII in 1983. There are many statistics used to rate NFL quarterbacks, but perhaps the most comprehensive and prestigious one is the quarterback rating. This stat includes four categories for calculating such a rating: percentage of completions, average yards gained per attempt, percentage of touchdown passes, and interception percentage.
5 Best Mahogany Body Acoustic/Electric Dreadnought Guitars
Wesman Todd Shaw started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old. He loves nothing more than to pick one up and pluck some strings. Originally guitars were much smaller than they typically are today. The guitar was just a rhythm instrument used for chordal accompaniment behind a singer or a soloist playing another type of instrument. But everyone recognized what great potential the guitar held. The things just weren't loud enough. So the guitars started to get longer scale lengths.
Best Bass Combo Amps Under $300
The author is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of experience as a musician. The Ampeg BA-112 v2 is one of the best bass combo amps for under $300. Bass Combo Amps Choosing a great bass combo amp is tough enough, but with a budget of under $300 it gets even harder. Bass amps in this price range are usually best for two basic categories of bassist, and I’ll bet you fit into one of them. Bassists who want an easy-to-manage rig.
Flying V Guitar Review: Gibson vs Jackson vs Dean vs ESP LTD
The author is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of experience as a musician. The ESP LTD Arrow 401 is a modern take on the classic V design. V-Shaped Guitars The Gibson Flying V is one of the most recognizable guitar shapes in the world and has become an icon of rock and metal music. But, despite its hard-rocking reputation, this guitar has been employed in just about every genre.
Hugh Mulzac: First Black Captain of a WW2 Liberty Ship
Ron is a student of African American history. His writing highlights the stories of people who overcame prejudice to achieve great things. Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac (1886-1971) was a master seaman, well qualified to command a merchant vessel. He had many years of sea duty aboard British, Norwegian, and American merchantmen. After studying at the Swansea Nautical College in South Wales, he earned a mate’s license in 1910, qualifying him to be second in command.
David Crosby's Drug Days
Sometimes you gotta hit bottom before you can bounce back up Rock superstar David Crosby came of age in the 1960s, a decade that was, according to interpretation, either the rise of a golden age or the descent into a leaden one. During these heady times, Crosby tried just about every drug available, because it seemed the hip, countercultural, libertarian thing to do.
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