The Dice Cubes - Make Me Motor 2020

  Edmonton, Alberta's The Dice Cubes have been heating up the northlands now for a few years now.Yet there are many who claim they are one of Alberta's best kept secrets. One thing for sure is that they sit at the corner of rock n roll and rockabilly.But there is way more to this outfit as they throw in shades of blues,americana , r&b,jazz and more into the mix.As a result for many people it's hard to pigeon hold them to any one genre.With 2 albums already under their belts they have shown to be a damn strong and diverse band that isn't afraid to gamble.The band's latest album "Make Me Motor" has just dropped and once again we get a kool mix bag of goodies.With 14 original tracks that range straight up rockers to slow burners.It's a rockabilly/ rock n roll album that shifts styles and becomes  a tour de force.We all have heard the saying "something for everyone" ,while it's true here.Highlights include: "Shiny & Chrome", "The Beater", "Memories Of You", "Death Of Me" and "Make Me Motor".

   
   With each album,The Dice Cubes get better and " Make Me Motor" is easily their best.These cats shift gears with ease and the result is a very engaging,enjoyable and freakin' kool ride.Highly recommended!!   
https://www.facebook.com/thedicecubes/
https://thedicecubes.ca/?fbclid=IwAR1dvpOSDpPcKGERYesp6VOWGP8hanRZ-_HfRHrt174Zkq0GGJjoV8IcoV8

The Raygun Cowboys - The Cowboy Code 2017

There are a few bands that pretty much everyone agrees are damn good and The Raygun Cowboys are one of them.These Edmonton cats are straight up top shelf as well as exciting, unique and a total blast of fresh air.Hell they can make a dead man move.If you have been lucky enough to see them live,you know what I'm saying. With every new album they seem to up their game and with their 6th and latest album " The Cowboy Code " they knock it out of the park.This time out they blow up the house with 11 tracks that will color you impressed.We get the get their signature sound : rockabilly driven by a killer horn section with a serving of punk and rock n roll. From the opening track to the final one this is a high energy and stout outing.Highlights include: " It's Coming Down", Let The Road Decide", the cover of SNFU's "Painful Reminder" and the freakin' kool "Robocop"

      With "The Cowboy Code " The Rayguns Cowboys have never sounded better yet they still sound hungry and as a result this is their best album yet( and that' saying something). This puppy is a must have.Highy recommended !!!!
   https://www.facebook.com/rayguncowboys13/   https://rayguncowboys.bandcamp.com/

The Hi-Strung Downers - Can't Feel Good All The Time 2016

It's been 2 years since  The Hi-Strung Downers released their fine debut album "Here She Lies " and it's good to see that they haven't lost their sense of humor in that time . The band's sophomore album  "Can't Feel Good All The Time" is proof of that. These Albertans are still singing about female troubles , broken relationships and  possible revenge all while winking at you with a funny grin.This time out we get 11 original tracks that have these kats flexing their musical muscles.As a result this is a lot less rockabilly and way more rock n roll than their debut.The rockabilly,punk and country influences are still here and help make this a fun ride.We get a couple of slow numbers to some real boppers to all out rockers.Hell it comes off as  a kool , easy and  natural progression for them.Highlights include: " Down to the Show", " The Gun Shop", " Hell Train","Going Down To The Courthouse" and "Woman It's Time to Go"

   Overall "Can't Feel Good All The Time" is a damn fine album that will have you up and at it .It's fun, infectious and very catchy.Hell what more do you want? Highly recommended !!
https://www.facebook.com/HiStrungDowners/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf    http://www.histrungdowners.com/home.html  

Punch Drunk Cabaret - Electrik Steam Show 2016

The voice comes on and says "tickets please,enjoy the show" and you just know all is good because  Punch Drunk Cabaret are about to step up. Hell the kings of "Steampunk swing " always deliver and aren't afraid to throw a few surprises at you along the way.The band is now back with it's 3rd album "Electrik Steam Show" and this time out they really flex their muscles.Sure it's a bit eclectic and we  get the mix bag of roots, rockabilly and steampunk but it's surprisingly ramped up here.This is easily PDC most rockin' and hardest album yet.We get 10 tracks and an intro that really bare that out and it's a pretty diverse too boot.Highlights include: "Halos and Horns", "Meat on the Bones", " Hell Etc", "Voodoo Vodka Stomp" and "Detonation Time" 

      Punch Drunk Cabaret continue to make kool and diverse rock n roll. With "Electrik Steam Show" they back that up.This may not be for everyone but when given a chance it will win you over,it's that good .Yes it's a killer rock n roll album and PDC still can't be put into a box.You have to like that. Recommended!!! 
   https://www.facebook.com/PunchDrunkCabaret/timeline
http://www.punchdrunkcabaret.com/ 
    

The HI-Strung Downers - Here She Lies 2014

Alberta ,Canada  may not have a large rockabilly scene but it has and still produces  a whack of top flight bands.The latest impressive band to emerge is  The HI-Strung Downers ,these kats play "greasy" rockabilly/rock n roll and have a rep as a killer band.It also doesn't hurt having a ton of pedigree too boot in a band.  That said The HI-Strung Downers debut album "Here She Lies" is pretty kool rockabilly that is full of female troubles ,heart break and attitude.In other words taking out the trash, in more ways than one and getting on with life(you gotta like that). This bad boy slides in with  9 tracks of damn good and catchy rockabilly/rock n roll .Highlights include: "Why Baby, Why, Why, Why?", " 28 Hours","Wasting My Time" and "She Has to Go". 

  
         The HI-Strung Downers are a band in which all 4 members not only write material  but also can sing lead  and as a result "Here She Lies" manages to sound a bit refreshing and diverse from start to finish. Hell Brent Cooper ( of the Ramblin’ Ambassadors) produced this baby so you know it's good ! Recommended!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hi-Strung-Downers/704422536268613           http://www.histrungdowners.com/    http://www.reverbnation.com/thehistrungdowners