Asteroid and Dexter Jone’s Circus Orchestra Reviews

I just had a chance to listen to both the new Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra and Asteroid albums that were released recently.

The Dexter Jones retains their signature sound from past albums but this album adds singer/guitar player Matt Bethancourt from Josiah and Cherry Choke to the mix. Matt adds his signature sound and voice to the album. He doesn’t take lead on the vocals but mearly adds to the backgrounds. When I found out he joined the band I was estatic and couldn’t wait to hear it. Overall I’d give it four out of five stars. It didn’t blow me away but still grabbed me none the less.

On the same day as the new Dexter Jones album was released, Fuzzorama records also released fellow Swedish rock band Asteroid’s followup album. Their second album titled II, or two continues a bit where the first one left off. This time around it’s a bit heavier and darker but still stands out as an Asteroid album. The songs definately have that oomf that belongs to them. Sometimes a bit on the bluesy side, 70’s classic rock and I even detect a hint of a jazz side. A few of the songs reminded me of Dr. Smoke, the last song off their debut album.

A friend on Facebook said it may be his album of the year. Upon first listen it didn’t hit me as an album of the year. A second listen made me apprecite the album a bit more and I think I may be going back to listen to this a few more times. It may turn out to be one of those albums that you have to listen to a few times to really appreciate it. Kind of like the Skanska Mord album released recently by Small Stone. Right now I’ll give “II” a 3 out of 5 stars but I may update that in a day or two if this album grabs me lime I think it may.

New Years and other items

First off I’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe New Years Eve. I hope all the non drinkers are the only ones driving and if you’re drunk, call a cab or sober friend. You need to be around to read the site through 2010 and experience all there is in new music this upcoming year.

The first review will be Stone Axe’s ” Until There Was Rock You Only Had God” 7″. Four great songs packed onto one 33rpm piece of wax. I should have the review posted in the next day. Also on board for review will be the “Riders In The Night” 7″ and a new band from Sweden signed to Small Stone Records called Skånska Mord. This is a hard rock band making classic rock destined for greatness in the genre. I can’t put the CD down. Also up I ordered a bunch of random 7″ albums from the great All That Is Heavy store. Look for reviews once I get the product. I was going to review the 7″ for Dexter Jone’s Circus Orchestra‘s “The Losers Are Back In Town” but my side A skips in the same spot and I can’t give it a real good listen.

Cheers everyone, enjoy the night, stay safe and keep rocking! See ya next year.

Stone Axe News

Stone Axe -Until There Was Rock You Only Had God 7"

Recently music review blog, The Ripple Effect had a chance to interview Tony Reed of Stone Axe. It’s a really good read. In it Tony discusses things what he’s listening to, the writing process of the band and even more Stone Axe music in the near future. Concerning new material Tony had this to say:

Our plans are to work as hard as we can. Touring and putting out records. I would like to do 2 albums a year.

Checkout the entire interview on the Ripple Effect.

Also in the world of Stone Axe, the cover you see up top is the cover of the band’s latest 7″ release. It’ll be the first review for this site. Expect it in a few days.