Vagus Nerve (Acoustic) by Gozer Goodspeed is a great acoustic version of his song that includes solid instrumentation, spot-on vocals with great tone, and most impressively some impressive guitar solo work.  Vocally, I get some serious Jason Mraz vibes inside of a bluesy infrastructure.  The production sounds great with a tasty vocal-focused mix. I placed this onto the #AcousticRock playlist (scroll).  Check it out!

 Escape the Gravity by Jacob's Fall is one of my favorite independent rock songs out there.  In fact, I wrote a review of this song a few years ago. https://theindierockdojo.blogspot.com/2022/11/escape-gravity-by-jacobs-fall.html They bring a heaviness not only with the guitars, but with some of the saddest, gut punching lyrics with vocals that enhance all of it with how it is sung.  Instrumentally, it's perfection with the heavy guitars, smooth deep bass and pounding drums...plus piano and strings that fill up the whole audio spectrum. How can a song feel gentle with giant guitars?  This band has done it. I'm adding it to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

 Cianuro by Gino il Carbonaio is a fantastic high energy song with blasting guitars and catchy vocals. The band is from Italy, and the lyrics are in Italian!  The self-produced sound quality is really well done.  I really enjoy that bass and drums alone under the melodic vocals in the verse.  Then the guitars start punching their way through the chorus.  The gigantic drums pound their way through and make obvious the transition between different areas of the song, even adding intensity when changing rhythm when the chorus is repeated. Although I can hear the punk influence, I'm adding this to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Please take a listen!

 Next Big Thing by False Advertising is a melodic alternative rock song with solid rhythmic, loud fuzzy guitars, great drums, solid bass lines and a rhythmic female-vocal in the verses with a catchy, melodic hook in the choruses.  The talent in the vocals caught my attention, especially with the proven ability to emotionally gravel.  The production is really great, capturing the buzzing distorted guitar without overwhelming the mix from the booming drums and everything else.  I really enjoyed this song when the bridge came in with even LOUDER guitars! I put this song on the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

 FLOWERS by OUR GREAT ESCAPE is a fantastic alternative rock song that draws the line somewhat close to progressive rock, but definitely not far enough to give it that label.  This is a very well put together song with soft, heartfelt vocals and lyrics, big booming drums with smooth rhythms and fills, incredibly intricate and active distorted bass lines, smooth and clear lowish mid-gain distorted electric guitars and soul-driven guitar solos.  This song was not predictable, which I love.  On my first listen, I truly had no idea what direction it was going to go, but had no problem following it.  It's amazing how a sound that traditionally should be a bit harsh is smooth and pleasant without any harshness at all.  This could be partially due to great production, but also from stellar songwriting. I put this on the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

 Garbage Man by Tuesday X is an extra aggressive energized alternative rock song that is a wall full of sound and great performance.  The first thing that catches my ear is the vocals are extra aggressive, an emotionally crushing scream much like that of Local H's early music.  The guitars sound full and very active.  I LOVE the instrumentation during the bridge.  If only the kick could have more presence in the track, I would feel that rhythm even more!  But, as is true and incredibly important in music...it makes it obvious how humanly real this music is by incredible musicians that the emotion is real...and I feel it. I'm adding this to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  I'm here for this and I hope you are, too!

 Worth It (is it?) by bratlash is a very interesting song.  It is full of punk drive and energy, but contains a heavy guitar/bass combination that honestly sounds great and rumbly.  It isn't a very fast-paced song and includes rhythmic guitar hits.  The vocals especially give it the punk energy.  I really enjoyed the intensity during the guitar solo. Although this isn't a clean cut punk rock song and I had considered putting it on the #AlternativeRock playlist, I decided to put it on the #PunkRock playlist since that's where I think it fits the best.  Take a listen!

 Chimera by Attendant has great production, loud drums, and awesome harmonies!  What really stuck out to me are the chords and vocal melody line with adjoined harmonies during the chorus.  It created a unique and distinctive feel to the song.  Instantly more of a powerfully emotional feeling even without knowing what the meaningful lyrics were about.  Put them together and you get a heck of a strong hook. I highly recommend this song!  I'm putting it on the #AlternativeRock playlist.

 Ain't My Type by The Conscious Outlaws is an incredible song with very active guitars and bass throughout the whole song.  I love a bass line (distorted too) that is constantly moving and grooving.  The drums are very prominent and played with steadiness, groove and full of fills.  What a great rhythm section!  I just listened a ripping guitar solo in there, too!  The layered vocals are clear with a solid melody.  I can just feel the energy ripping through those instruments. I added this to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  You need to hear this!

 Stronger Than Hate by Centerlink has big guitars, nice overall production, catchy hooks, soaring lead guitar soloing over heavy riffs and massive drums!  My favorite part of this song is the bridge that starts with the bass all alone, then being joined by the drums with a big fill and the guitars joining the bass with the riff...leading into the soaring solo. I added this to the #HeavyRock playlist.  Take a listen!