Shining A Light On... Caveman

Another in my occasional series looking at bands and music - this time it's Brooklyn's Caveman and their new album Otero War, released in June. Seems like it's been longer, but that's because the first single "Never Going Back" came our way back in February. They're a band I'd been looking out for, so I listened to the song first day it was released. Good Stuff! This kind of "throwback" video came out in May:

Caveman opened up for Phosphorescent two years earlier when he played his 2nd show in Burlington on the Muchacho tour, at Arts Riot. They were great! Immediately got my hands on their first release Coco Beware and their self-titled second album. Liked Coco Beware better, but both were just good indie rock - lot of promise, not a lot of polish. And not exactly what I'd heard live, either.

"Never Going Back" showed their promise fulfilled with strong songwriting, and the production was certainly more polished - vocals more up front, less murk in the mix. Great smart pop with a nice edge. When the album arrived it was nice to discover the entire project was a great step forward for the band. I give you "All My Life" from near the end of the album as further proof of their  pop mastery.

Lest you think they've sold out, they close right after that with "I Need You In My Life" which recalls their earlier indie styles... passion and pounding and murk galore! The rest of the songs fall somewhere between the smart-pop and indie-murk, with a well-crafted intensity.  It's a good listen as an album - stands up as a nice overall piece of work!

Shining A Light On... Bear's Den

Posted the first of these earlier tonight. Not sure how often I'll do 'em, but given I'm just starting, thought another one right off might not be so bad. Already know for sure who my first four of these are about, anyway. Lead the series with Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt. Now, let me introduce you to Bear's Den.

You really should know Bear's Den.

The UK band's new album Red Earth and Pouring Rain was independently released here in the States a month ago on July 22nd. It brings a slight shift in sound for the band, who lost banjo player and vocalist Joey Haynes earlier this year and are now the duo of Andrew Davie and Kevin Jones. One of the best songs is "Auld Wives", their lead track.

First heard Bear's Den when they released a pair of EPs three years ago, Without/Within and Agape in 2013, soon followed by Islands in 2014, the band's full-length debut. "Agape" from that album and the like-titled EP remains one of my favorite songs of the last five or so years (that's the Greek term for transcendent Love and not the description of a wide-open mouth, by the way... ).

Start with Islands. It's a beautiful album. And if you're taken by it, pick up Red Earth..., but know that things have shifted to include more synth and beats for a less folky sound. Plus, there's less banjo and one less voice, makes it different. Still good, but perhaps a bit smoother and shinier than I liked my Bear's Den.

Shining A Light On... Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt "Invention of Knowledge"

This is the first in my new Glow-in-the-Dark Radio series "Shining A Light On..." where I get into new releases you might not hear on traditional radio. As the music director of a very cool Adult Album Alternative radio station, The Point (http://pointfm.com), I receive a ton of new releases all the time. Only a fraction of those end up garnering airplay, even on a station as adventurous as ours.

This occasional column will cover those worth mentioning and checking out - even if they're not destined for radio airplay. I'll include videos where available and links to Amazon or other outlets for purchasing - as I'm in Vermont, which doesn't allow it, these are not affiliate links and I earn no money from them. Just so you know.

Wanted to begin with an album that came out at the end of June, Jon Anderson (Yes) and Roine Stolt (Flower Kings) have teamed up to create a new album in the tradition of Jon's older work - Yes music. And Invention of Knowledge in some ways does sound like a new Yes album, or perhaps a newly discovered lost Yes album released some time around Relayer in the mid 1970's. The Yes album it is drawing the most comparisons to, thanks to the instrumentation and lyrical content is Tales from Topographic Oceans, though that is such a singular and unique work it is perhaps folly to draw too close a comparison.

I'd rather not dance too much about architecture, so take a listen to this official release of "Knowing" and see what you think...

If that suits you, pick up the whole album and enjoy some of the finest Yes music made in years! One note... If Chris Squire were still alive, I wouldn't call this Yes music, but only out of respect for Squire. With him gone, it's really Jon who carries this torch now, and in some ways he's always been the spiritual center of Yes, which is where this album resides.

You can find Jon Anderson/Roine Stolt Invention of Knowledge now at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Invention-Knowledge-Anderson-Stolt/dp/B01EWEG7DS

Opening the Red Hot Graphic Novel Print Proof

Check it out! The RED HOT Graphic Novel Print Proof arrived tonight!

Out Today! "Introducing... RED HOT!" #3!

Get your hands on a RED HOT comic book!! My "Introducing... RED HOT!" Issue Three is out today!

Get a download At DriveThruComics

Get it in Print or Download At Indy Planet

Coming Soon to comiXology!

 

In this action packed final act, The Team faces off against its former leader, Mind Man, as Red Hot discovers the Source of Mind Man's madness! Our young hero must decide if he can make the ultimate sacrifice in this climactic third and final issue of the Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Comics mini-series "Introducing... RED HOT!".  

 

How do you prove you're a hero? Using inherited fire powers, Red Hot is hoping to figure that out as he follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather - the original and second "Red Hots". It's not going so well... 

 

Words, Letters, Editing & Layout by Mike Luoma. 

Art by Juan Carlos Quattordio.

You Call This Rehab?

Alibi Jones is in rehab on Ceres Central after his encounter with a giant, alien ghost ship. His estranged mother – who killed his father – has been released from incarceration. And though Alibi wouldn't take her call, she's now talking to the media... about him! A double-sized episode featuring Chapters Twenty-Five and Twenty-Six of Alibi Jones and the Hornet's Nest! The Adventures of Alibi Jones continue on Glow-in-the-Dark Radio as Mike Luoma, your writer, host and reader, brings you more free audio science fiction!



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Home(s): http://mikeluoma.com - http://glowinthedarkradio.com - http://alibijones.com

The Needle and the Damage Done?

Alibi Jones is under attack by a syringe-wielding scientist as The Adventures of Alibi Jones continue on Glow-in-the-Dark Radio! Join Mike Luoma, your writer, host and reader, as he brings you more free audio science fiction. Chapter Twenty-Four of Alibi Jones and the Hornet's Nest sees Alibi on Ceres Central, trying to recuperate from his encounter with a "ghost" ship when a Dr. Bially tries to... kill him?  




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"Introducing... RED HOT!" Issue Three Out August 24th!

PRESS RELEASE

GLOW-IN-THE-DARK RADIO COMICS RELEASES "RED HOT!" ISSUE THREE

Climactic Third and Final Issue of Comic Book Mini-Series by Mike Luoma

BURLINGTON, VT, August 1, 2016– Mike Luoma and Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Comics proudly present the third and final issue in the comic book mini-series "Introducing... RED HOT!" This third act in the young super-hero's coming-of-age story written and lettered by Luoma and featuring art by noted Argentine illustrator Juan Carlos Quattordio (FIERRO, GPS del AMOR) sees RED HOT forced to confront his own mortality as he fights THE TEAM's founder MIND MAN, now seemingly mad and intent on wiping out all other super-powered heroes!

"Happy to be releasing Red Hot three – great to be finishing with Juan Carlos what Rhys ap Gwyn and I began," Luoma said. "With his introductory story now complete with this issue, we hope comic book readers will give RED HOT a chance!"

"Introducing... RED HOT!" Issue Three will be available digitally at comiXology and Drive Thru Comics and in print at Indy Planet. 

"Playing on the ideas of legacies and what makes a superhero, Mike Luoma has plotted a story that has to do fifty things at once and convey it all subtly... a surprisingly well-rounded comic-book... " - MCMBuzz.com  (review of RED HOT #1)

”... a good take on the "legacy" hero... ...has a really great twist that makes the book a little bit more readable than the usual young-hero-proving-himself fare." – BlogThis,Pal.com (review of RED HOT #1)

Glow-in-the-Dark Radio is a Vermont-based creative collaborative comic publisher. We also share news and fiction on our weekly Glow-in-the-Dark Radio podcast. More at http://glowinthedarkradio.com.