MANHATTAN, NY—It was an evening of guitar slinging at the first of a two-night stand at Madison Square Garden for Eric Clapton’s fourth installment of his Crossroads Guitar Festival to benefit the drug rehab center he founded in Antigua. Clapton put his Crossroads Centre drug rehabilitation clinic on the map in the mid-‘90s as a way of helping out others sort through their addictions and per his 2007 autobiography, “In order to stay sober, I had to help others get sober.”

Guitars twanged, banged and bolted into the blues for the five-hour marathon as the genre got twisted and…

Originally hailing from Grand Rapids, MI, hard rock group Pop Evil have been a presence musically for over a decade. Their most up-to-date work, Onyx, is the band’s attempt to move forward with their sound and an opportunity to stand out amongst the ranks. The 12-track album begins with “Goodbye My Friend,” an ominous guitar shredder of a song. The vocal parts of singer Leigh Kakaty match the instrumental quality of the material, his voice rough and tumble sounding, hinting at the nasally quality of Layne Staley. Pop Evil definitely have a contemporary rock feel, but clearly draw inspiration…

Three years after forming in 2010, UK’s Hero & Leander are ready to release their debut album, Tumble. This six-piece band consists of three singers and musicians who can play the piano and violin in addition to guitar, bass, and drums. The album starts off with the funky “Soul To Soul.” The vocal pattern is an interesting one, and it also features multiple vocalists. The strength of this group lies in their voices. “Collider” is a very upbeat and catchy song that makes great use of the guitars. Much like the first track, the chorus features backup vocals of…

A childish drawing of a smiling cowgirl graces the cover of A Million Stars, lasso in hand. In its endearing simplicity, it is a perfect reflection of Ashleigh Flynn’s capacity for borderline-cartoonish eccentricity, a dash of beguiling humor in your typical slice of Americana. This puts her on strong footing when venturing into traditional singer-songwriter realms. Her biggest asset is her light yet textured vocals and down-home genuineness. The best of these reflective songs are her slower, banjo-based numbers such as opener “The Devil Called Your Name,” in which Flynn scolds an impulsive and unfaithful lover, and the lighter,…

With a smooth R&B soul, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound released their third record, Howl. Drawing on themes of love and sex, this full-length embodies a very personal tone. In “Married For A Week,” for instance, JC Brooks cries out, “Now I fool around with/Every stranger you know.” Fans of Gary Clark Jr.’s Blak And Blu will appreciate the urban blues rhythm of Howl. Following the release of Want More in 2011, the Chicago grown group appeared to tone down the funk a bit and crank up the heavy soul with a touch of pop.

By far one…

Migrant is the fifth full-length album by indie folk rockers The Dear Hunter. Generally known for their Act records, which are all conceptually written, this is the first album that does not follow the same pattern. Migrant is an honest disc with exceptional lyrics and musicianship. The opener “Bring You Down” begins with the introduction of string arrangements and piano. Singer and founder Casey Crescenzo then sings vocals until the band kicks in about a minute into the song. The groovy bassline plays in the background along with drums to provide a rhythm underneath the vocals. Multiple voices in…

Acoustic guitar and glockenspiel, the definitive duo in affected cutesiness, are rarely a good sign. Though adored by some, this lo-fi folk aesthetic that Tempest In A Teacup enters with is, more often than not, maddeningly self-conscious and cloying. However, in Mal Blum’s case, it’s certainly put to good use. There are indeed points, as in “Altitude (This Party Sucks)” and “Valentine’s Day,” where her words descend into the dreaded quirkiness, but her conversational delivery and casual lyricism are typically more endearing than simpering.

Removed from the all-too-present slickness of indie rock and set in straightforward terms with a…

It’s been many years since New Jersey has seen Skate And Surf arise. The festival, which brought on the creation of Bamboozle, is back and better than ever. On May 18 and 19, Six Flags Great Adventure will be buzzing with fans and musicians alike for the event, which will be taking place at the amusement park’s festival grounds. Nothing spells out a good time like roller coasters and music! Here’s your play-by-play guide of who is playing what day, what’s new with your favorite artists, and the 411 on some acts that you may not know about. To…

It’s been many years since New Jersey has seen Skate And Surf arise. The festival, which brought on the creation of Bamboozle, is back and better than ever. On May 18 and 19, Six Flags Great Adventure will be buzzing with fans and musicians alike for the event, which will be taking place at the amusement park’s festival grounds. Nothing spells out a good time like roller coasters and music! Here’s your play-by-play guide of who is playing what day, what’s new with your favorite artists, and the 411 on some acts that you may not know about. To…

Florida’s A Day To Remember are an outfit with a signature sound, as a listener cannot easily confuse them with other artists out there trying to do the same thing. They are a heavier group incorporating pop-inspired hooks and melodies over their weighted guitars. The Ocala-based band are amidst a nationwide tour that will be stopping locally at New Jersey’s Skate And Surf Festival.

A Day To Remember are adorning their soon-to-be-released record, Common Courtesy, with the finishing touches now, planning for its debut later this year. This colorful group have an avid following and have gained more of…