Cut Off Your Hands
You and I
Frenchkiss Records
8/10
In a vast ocean filled with countless overseas rock bands like Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs, New Zealand’s Cut Off Your Hands releases the album You and I and are set to compete with the lot of them. The Auckland trio takes their music in different directions with this record, and working along side English producer and former guitarist of Suede Bernard Butler did not hurt either.
The energy of the song “Happy as Can Be” fits the title. It sounds like happy-go-lucky surfer …

White Rabbits
It’s Frightening
TBD Records
8/10
Six pieces to a puzzle: Alexander Even, Adam Russell, Matthew Clark, Jamie Levinson, Gregory Roberts and Stephen Patterson all comprise the band, White Rabbits. They appeared on the David Lettermen Show and are about to release their second album entitled It’s Frightening on May 19.
The record opens with “Percussion Gun,” an upbeat song that is heavy on, you guessed it- percussion. The pounding of the piano keys add to the drama and the vocals are versatile. This song would be great to hear live in all …

World of Dance Review
Quest Crew and Beat Freaks Live
April 4th Pomona Fairplex, Pomona, CA

“World of Dance is like Comic Con for hip hop dancers” -this quote was taken from a random person and transmitted on Twitter days after the event. But it is so much more. In fact, the official website states that the tour itself is the largest urban dance competition on the west coast and continues to be the biggest touring event that embraces urban dance youth lifestyle. World of Dance unifies the spirit of hip hop …

Sin City Massive
LMFAO Live
February 28, The Hudson Theatre, San Bernardino, CA.
For one night only, the Inland Empire transformed itself into a crazy night in Vegas complete with light shows and party people. Unfortunately, the alcohol and slot machines went missing. Regardless, Sin City Massive lived up to its name and it was the biggest event held at the Hudson to this day. LMFAO headlined the sold-out event and they return with Dr. Hollywood at the Thank You Party on June 6th with more details to be announced online.
Now …

In a tabloid-frenzy world, it is quite refreshing to see actors get publicity for working with non-profit organizations or support causes that are important to them. One such actress is Alexis Raben.
When she is not helping students at the Young Storytellers Foundation in Los Angeles, the Russian-born actress is making her comedic mark playing a sexy accented lesbian in the film, Miss March. Raben discusses her character, the hilarious script, and the one thing in common that she shares with The Whitest Kids U’ Know comedy troupe.
RG: Alright. …

Jeremy Jay
Slow Dance
K Records
6/10

Jeremy Jay unleashes his poptastical, yet moody-self on his new album, Slow Dance, due out March 24th. Be prepared to be swayed and hynoptized softly with his songs; they are a collection of vintage, 80s-inspired melodies based on a winter theme. Unfortunately, the end result sounds like it went into frequent hibernation. In other words, some songs fell short of amazing and stayed in a tiresome zone.
The first track, “We Were There” electronically comes out of the speakers in all its synthesizing glory. In a whiny …

E Reece and Core Elements
L.I.S.n 2 This Live.In.Studio
Elevated Mental Recordings
6/10
The meeting of the minds between two artists can go either way. For Los Angeles emcee E Reece, stepping in the studio with the soulful, hip-hop band, Core Elements will hopefully go somewhere- like to the top of the charts.
So far it has a magical concept: take tracks already recorded with beats from previous producers and turn it into something original. Unfortunately, after picking a part the collection of songs, the album downplays this exciting concept and begs to …

Holy crap! Look at this hi-tech feat! Racket’s Gail Navarro interviews Keaton Simons in the hallway of the House of Blues.
PART 1

PART 2

-Interview by Gail Navarro.

Gramercy Arms
Gramercy Arms
7/10
Gramercy Arms from New York City pours out their melting pot sound deliciously into the group’s self-titled debut album. It is packed with an all-star line-up of the current and former members of Guided by Voices, Joan Wasser of Joan as Police Woman, Luna, Dead Air and The Damnbuilders lead singer Dave Darby (who composed most of the album). If that is not enough enticement, maybe these guest performances sweeten the pot: female comedian Sarah Silverman, Lloyd Cole, Chris Brokaw, Joan Wasser, present and former Nada Surf members, …

Even after putting up with technical glitches such as dropped calls and dying phone batteries, Delaney Gibson, the powerhouse vocalist from Ventura, California kindly and patiently answered my probing questions regarding staying true to herself as an independent artist, performing along side Andrea Bocelli and discussing cover songs for an upcoming album due out next year. She’s a real class act and I’m taking a quick mental note: the best reception lies in the kitchen. Enjoy!
Racket Gail: How has your life changed since your album released this fall?
Delaney Gibson: It’s …

Ane Brun and Tobias Froberg
October 30th
Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA
It was more café, less hotel on a brisk October night. The drink of choice after-dark at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles appeared to be alcoholic, instead of the usual café ambiance of a cup of coffee. Beers started lining the walls and people were ready for some music.
Tobias Froberg, the Swedish sensation kicked off the night which I could imagine sounded like a throw-back acoustic introduction into the wonderful world of mellow rock. I say imagine because …

Friends don’t let friends tour without each other. After exchanging demos back in the day, these musical buddies from Europe pride themselves in making good music and performing in front of live audience on their own terms.
Racket Gail: I saw you guys’ show last night, it was really good.
Ane: Oh, thank you.
RG: So how you think it went last night?
Tobias: Bad.
Ane: [Laughs] it went really well.
RG: What was your favorite part of night? I mean, when people were part of the show? What do you remember most from …

Toolroom Knights: A Journey Through The World’s Finest House Music
Various- Mixed by Mark Knight
Toolroom Records
7/10
London Mixmaster and Toolroom Records label head, Mark Knight released an international version of a stunning two-disc set in September. The Ministry of Sound resident takes center stage with the fourth album in the label’s compilation series that officially released in May 2008.
The world-renowned DJ collaborates with other turntable aficionados from around the world and this compilation truly is a fantastic voyage through every fascinating aspect of a musical culture. From start to finish, …

Dylan Trees
Charlie Horse
Motherwest Records
7/10

The soft voice of British singer-songwriter Jeremy Simon feels just like a warm summer breeze on a lazy Sunday afternoon. How fitting for this Los Angeles artist based in Venice to have a sound fit for the beach. Before busting out the Coronas and lime however, the music of Dylan Trees offers much more than just the right mood. They pay tribute to a classic 1960s musical genre known as psychedelic folk-rock in their new EP release, “Charlie Horse.”
The cool, calm and collected sound of the …

Emilie Simon, Sunny Levine and Lucas Hass Live
September 8th Roxy Theatre, Hollywood, CA
The Emile has landed. The out-of-this-world French songstress set up shop for a very special one-night only performance at the Roxy in West Hollywood. Not only was the show an electronic extravaganza down to its very technical detail, it introduced the beloved Parisian to a new, unsuspecting audience on American soil. The composer, singer-songwriter torn down the Sunset Strip with a smashing live set on a memorable Tuesday night.
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Before Emilie Simon took the stage, plenty of acts …