Review: Tom Tikka ‘Rainbows and Dead Flowers’
From the long-celebrated award-winning songwriter Tom Tikka & the Missing Hubcaps comes their latest album, Rainbows and Dead Flowers. Heartfelt music fused with irresistible hooks, Tikka’s vocal has a kind of healing power that brings people together, and the music he wrote is full of emotions and catharsis. The former Sony/BMG songwriter is best known for his work with Carmen Gray.
In 2020, Tikka embarked on a solo career and has since released two highly acclaimed albums and a handful of hit singles. “Doormat” and “With Eyes Closed” topped the South African rock chart while his latest singles claimed spots on the UK charts.
With beautiful harmonies woven into illuminating soundscapes, uplifted by rich backing vocals, the title track immediately is a wonderfully crafted haunting masterpiece. The tracks in this album are the kind of songs you’d hear at the height of an emotional momentum in a movie. Tikka conducts such power in his songwriting that it’s hard to not feel anything while listening. It’s the kind of music that touches you spiritually and emotionally.
“Fire and Ice” showcases its adventurous spirit, coming to listeners with a hint of spiciness and openness. In a mixture of cool and heat, the song blossoms in a broadening sonic landscape, yet the uniting and almost tear-jerking quality of the song unmistakably reminds you of Foo Fighters.
“Hieroglyphs” is a track you instantly fall in love with on its first note. It’s driven and fierce, laced with contrasts and tension of rock n roll. “We Won’t Be Dust” slows down the peace and sees the intertwining of introspection, evoking a sense of stillness amidst movement. “Something New” on the other hand, is like Ed Sheeran meets The National with master storytelling and genuineness.
Woken up by a groovy dance beat, “What Comes Around” shakes things up with a retro aesthetic and vibrant colors. The vocal almost has a hint of Elvis Presley in its wildness and mystery. “Let’s Make Love on Sunday” then gets you in reminiscence of the Beatles.
If anything that comes to mind at the end of the album, it’s that Tom Tikka makes really good music. He has a natural charm that brings people together through the form of music.
Motihari Brigade On the Making Of “Reality Show”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Reality Show?”
Motihari Brigade’s theme is Rock-n-Roll Thoughtcrime inspired by George Orwell. “Reality Show" fits right into that dystopian concept with a bit of humor and fun. For the music video we partnered with filmmaker Jovana Tomasevic of MLADE Studio who directed and produced a very creative cinematic visual story - complete with costumes and characters. She envisioned this mysterious hooded figure to represent the spirit of hope itself, encouraging people to break free from the technological filters imposed by an elite. And for a while, they are able to open their eyes, freely perceive reality, and smile, before all being consumed once again by the system. Appropriately, the video ends with a quote from George Orwell’s “1984.”
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Reality Show?”
The recording studio was in an old brick church next to a graveyard with these bizarre gravestones, including one in the shape of a guitar - no kidding. Our engineer had this huge classic analog mixer console. Some of the great albums of the 1970s were mixed on that same piece of equipment. We scored the horns separately and then added them later. The groove is bit of Reggae, New Orleans jazz, and “Penny Lane”/rock steady.
What impact do you hope "Reality Show" will have on your audience or the music industry?
The song is about the struggle to perceive reality amidst the onslaught of corporate-state technological dystopian narrative control. We hope the music video will help us reach new fans who might appreciate that concept may be interested in what we are doing. Hopefully they will want to hear more from the album “Algorithm & Blues.” We would love to reach new people.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
Eric Winston is the guitar-player, singer, songwriter and creative force behind the Motihari Brigade - a concept which seems somewhat relevant to the state of the world at the moment. The bass player, drummer, and keyboard player worked out arrangements and played together as a live band for the basic tracks in the studio. You can really feel the energy from the band spill over the edges in the right places on the album. Eric has been making electric guitar strings shake with hyper-caffeinated vibrato since early childhood. Some say its not just the caffeine.
What are your future goals or aspirations as a band?
We hope to find an audience of open-minded independent critical thinkers who are interested in the Rock-n-Roll Thoughtcrime concept, as well as to network with other musicians and artists who are interested in this sort of thing. Hope springs eternal. Find us at brigadem
Jay Luke On the Making Of “Me And My Demons”
How does "Me And My Demons" reflect your musical journey and growth as an artist?
As a songwriter, I feel like my work is a personal diary. And each album is a continuation of what is going on in my life or what I am surrounded by. This latest single from the upcoming album is definitely a walk through my mind. It shows the journey is always an ongoing thing and I feel it is the most ambitious and strong effort we have released so far.
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in this single?
As I mentioned earlier, my songs are always a deeply personal look into whatever I am going through. I have been thriving on chaos, so to speak. By saying that I mean when things seem to be in shambles around me or my life may be a total mess, I end up having the most success musically. Kind of ironic, I suppose. The themes in the song have to do with living under stress, battling insomnia, facing deadlines, madness, all sorts of daily frustrations and then finally when everything is silent in the vampire hours of the night, it's just you and your demons.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Me And My Demons"?
The recording process was very organic. I record at JL Studios in Olyphant Pa, with Joe Loftus (who is also my bassist) and Jay Preston as producers. They are the guys I trust most with my vision of these songs and they know just when to point me in a direction if I may be veering off or just generally suggest some ideas to help make things come to life. I personally feel this song more than most has one of the greatest lead guitar and solos on it all due to Michael "Duds" McDonald, who's been with me now for the last three albums and he just gets better and better. I think our guitar sounds really mesh well. We have really grown so much as an entity, which I think shows very much on this new album.
Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you are particularly excited about?
Well, this single is the title track for what will be my fourth album of the same name "Me And My Demons." It should be released in the early fall of 2023. In addition to that, I am in 2 other bands that are both also about done with each of our prospective albums. Reach For The Sky is a band I am in that is almost done with our fourth album release, and The Stones Of Atlantis is the other band I'm in which will be releasing our debut album. So there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon.
Are there any specific artists or musicians you dream of collaborating with?
I have been fortunate enough to work with a few artists I really admired and looked up to since I was a kid and had them both perform on my first album. Carl Canedy, who was a member of Manowar and The Rods, drummed on my first release. Adam Bomb, who has played guitar with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks, and so many others. I felt very fortunate to have him on my album and to have done some shows with him as well. As far as people I dream of working with, I would love to work on music with Andy McCoy of Hanoi Rocks, Shirley Manson of Garbage, and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones if I am throwing out my all time dream world scenario.
Jamie Bosanko “Life Will Do”
Singer-songwriter Jamie Bosanko brings a sharply shaped, effectively sounding in-your-face accidental punk song “Life Will Do” into your ears. It might have been a derivative from the rest of his work, but the song remained warm and passionate, cynical and sentimental—everything that made Bosanko’s music what it is. Hailing from the small but busy port town of Barrow-in-Furness, life is tangled up with the rough but immersive seaside scenery, sandwiched between miles of beaches and lake districts. Materialism and the modern way of life are being put into perspective.
In “Life Will Do,” Bosanko reflects on the wasted energy of chasing a modern lifestyle, obsession over trends and being hip, however, so disconnected from one’s roots. “Life Will Do” urges listeners to take a step back. What they’ll discover is a piece of the sky they’ve always had but long failed to notice.
Perhaps Bosanko didn’t imagine the two-minute banger taking its shape in a punk rock confrontation, but the energy and the expression that naturally fused into the song burst from speakers into listeners’ ears. Shouting at the top of his lungs, Bosanko’s to-the-point lyrics carry the weight and power to shake awake a drifting soul. In the collage of imageries surrounding the things one wants in life, the loud and sharp single is simply something we all need to hear.
Perhaps the message just needs to be screamed out, punched through and carved into the minds of bewitched sleepwalkers. “Life Will Do” is a wake-up call, with all the harshness, nutrients, heart and compassion.
Jon Clark, One Long Skid ‘A Knot in Time’
Jon Clark’s A Knot in Time has the classic, nostalgic rock buzz in the sound that continues its conversation with time and space.
Jon Clark/One Long Skid shares nostalgic, classic rock aesthetic album A Knot in Time
A Knot in Time has the classic, nostalgic buzz in the sound that continues its conversation with time and space. The record brews a bittersweet complexity into its smooth and thoughtful texture and lingers in your thoughts for long. A Knot in Time is a brilliant and timeless record.
Connecting the dots between past and future, Jon Clark brings out a wide spectrum of palettes from soft rock, classic rock, country, and psychedelic with his band One Long Skid. Some of the tracks can be dated back to the 70s when Clark wrote them in the first place. With a poised approach to arrangements in instrumentation, backing vocals, and tones, A Knot in Time evokes familiarity to the ears and brings back memories.
“Follow that line, to a knot in time;
dizzy but it’s only for now
when I’m dark and a shadow not there
will your touch go right through?
in a moment a busy blank stare
spark of light, for this you knew.”
“A Knot in Time” swirls and spirals down memory lane to a different time. The track is enriched with memories and vibes, located halfway through the record. Jon Clark’s vocal comes to you in a vague and distant tone as if coming from a different universe. Like an aged scotch, “A Knot in Time” is a track that the more you listen to it, the more you could pick up its complexity and depth. With a speck of psychedelia, “A Knot in Time” is rich in the feels.
The title track certainly carries out the core aesthetic of the record. Nostalgic as it is, the record doesn’t dwell in the past but celebrates the vibrant colors and richness in life. A Knot in Time is so wonderfully orchestrated, blending different elements, influences, and memories into its sound.
As one of the most noticeable characteristics of this record, Jon Clark cleverly plotted a series of repetitions that really allows you the time to savor the taste, texture, and emotions behind each song. From the album opener, '“Jimmy Look Up”, Clark has inserted his brilliant songwriting and captivating melodies into your heart with a simple but powerful signature line, “Jimmy Look Up.”
“Complicated Woman” has a darker feel in the atmosphere as Clark dives into the character of this mysterious, sorrowful “complicated woman.” Instead of giving the audience the entire back story, the track takes on an impressionistic approach to paint a dark, sensuous soundscape and leaves some space for the audience to resonate with on their own term. The rusty and burning guitar solo in this track is simply perfect.
SINGLE REVIEW: RAGDOLL “FORWARD EMOTIONS (LET YOURSELF GO)”
Song of the Day
Formed in the late 80s by the Cox brothers, the band played until the 90s when they moved to different countries. Two decades later, Covid-19 provided them the opportunity to reconnect. Coming from different walks of life with a blend of social, cultural background and musical environment, the initial fire is re-lit and even brighter in “Forward Emotions.”
“Forward Emotions (Let Yourself Go)” is all about the expanding possibilities when you follow your heart. Brewing in the theme of freedom, reconnection, and memories, tracing back to the authenticity and the pulsation of passion, “Forward Emotions” is electric and festive.
Like a party you never want it to end, the spirit is high and the energy is wild. Soaring guitar and whiskey vocal, fiery drum, and soundtrack-like texture, “Forward Emotions” is a collection of many things. The variety of influences finds a mutual ground in the track where the sound is identical as well as nostalgic.
Guitarist Dec Burke has released several studio albums with named prog acts throughout the years; while drummer Wayne Cox moved to Ireland and worked as a session player, including a top-five sing. Bass player/vocalist Paul Hird moved to California, where he appeared in award-winning short films and is currently working as a producer. Keyboard player/vocalist David Cox moved to Ireland and has starred in numerous musicals.
Written by Katrina Yang
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