Release Day Review!!

Abby Abbondanza has had an odd road to the release of his debut CD today. He didn't even start getting into music and learning to play anything until he was in his 20s. He had been encouraged to get up and sing some karaoke. Afterwards, he caught the attention of the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, who tapped him to be their lead singer. Together, they made a mark on the local scene and even became the official band of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Today, he and the band have parted ways and Abby has launched a solo career. His debut CD, Promised Land, is a southern rock inspired outing that shows an artist in his element. His smooth vocals tell stories of times and loves gone by and everyday life that people are sure to relate to. The Southern Rock sound is mixed with more traditional country sounds and range from slow to uptempo numbers, creating a great disc for either relaxing at home or getting people going at a party. He isn't just a pleasing voice, either, as he had a hand in writing several of the songs on the disc.

Bottom Line: Most country fans can find something to like here. The album was scheduled for November 11th, but there was a release party today and it appears you'll be able to pick it up early. be sure to visit his site to sample the tracks yourself and get your own copy.

Reviews, Reviews and More Reviews!!

Hey guys!! I recently got to hear some new music from a few artists. The first one I got was Abby Abbondanza. He has a single out called "Promised Land" and I'm loving it! It's one of those songs where the narrator is looking back on his or her youth and remembering some of the great times they had. These songs can be a bit hit or miss for me, but he managed to sell me with his vocals, which were full of attitude and a little bit of longing for those times. He sounds a bit like Tim McGraw to me through some of it as well. The song's uptempo and you can clearly hear a almost old-time sounding piano riff in there, which I thought was an interesting touch.

I also just got the chance to listen to the new version of Laura Bryna's Trying to be Me. It's an intersting CD and her vocals have a unique touch to them, while reminding me of singers such as Dolly and Leann Womack here and there. While I liked all the songs well enough, I think there are several where her vocals truely shine. Songs like "Same Dog" and "Set it On Fire", where she gets to show a bit of attitude and a Wynonnaesque growl. I think those are where her vocal strengths lie and I'd love to hear more material like from her.

"Same Dog" is a song about a woman who has learned from the mistakes she's made in love and refuses to fall back into the same pattern again. "Set It On Fire" tells the story of getting rid of what reminds you of a love gone wrong. These two alone, in my opinion make the disc worth it. Check out "Set it On Fire" here....



Check back later for more info on these artists, as well as another review of Minnie Murphy's first single. Take care and see ya then!