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Puerto Rican Rocker Ignacio Peña Updates Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance”

Over recent times, much of the world lost some of the momentum that drove it and this was never more so than in the creative world. The isolations and lockdowns meant that many talented people, whose work requires an audience found themselves cut off from their usual outlets. This too is true of singer/songwriter, Ignacio Peña, who now delivers a potent anti-war song, “Defeat,” as part of his forthcoming album, “Songs for the Fall of an Empire.”

Of the track he explains, “I thought it would be appropriate to recall that Lennon sentiment about giving peace a chance in a so-called anti-war song. But in 2022, after 50 years of more war after his initial declaration, I felt the phrase needed an update. Hence the more cynical: All we can say is give peace a chance?”

With his recent live stream of El Mundo al Revés: 20 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of his debut album behind him, Ignacio is getting back to many of the important issues which have been strong messages within his more recent songs. And although there has been an expected pause in this album coming to fruition, such themes have, if anything, become more relevant in the interim. The album is a rock opera, a concept album of sorts but one that talks of the vagaries and problems of the western world and in particular talks about the history of debt.

Like all of the releases that have got us to this point, “Defeat” is about powerful music and poignant messaging. Based, like a lot of Ignacio Peña’s music around a hard rock sound, but again like most of his recent signature style, there is something ornate, “elegant and composed about his take on the genre. “Defeat” flows with wonderful and well-measured dynamics, hitting skyscraping crescendos as readily as it can wander brooding lulls. It is certainly not a pop song but does have some of the infectiousness and easy addiction of that sonic realm.

But the real power comes from the themes that he explores through these gorgeous soundscapes and here, as the name suggests about war, vengeance and not accepting defeat. And of course, given the context of the album, that requires us to think deeper.

If songs such as “Defeat” make you want to question the world around you, make you want to learn more and explore its complexities and hidden agenda more, then that is great, if you just want a cool, textured, intelligent rock song, it is that too.

Whichever way you look at things, all that really matters is that Defeat, like the releases from the album which have gone before it, only succeed in whetting the listeners’ appetite for the full-length release even further.

Watch “Defeat’s” lyric video using the following address: https://youtu.be/rLHuI2hFays

Ignacio is a three time Emmy award winner. Fore more info, go to his website: www.ignaciopena.net. Look for his music at Spotify.

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Eric Schroeder Releases Album

If you’ve ever heard the music of Eric Schroeder before, you already know that melodic sting is often the backbone of his heady rock sound, but in his latest release Turned on the Stereo, which was released this year everywhere quality indie-rock is sold and streamed, it plays as great a role as the lead vocal does. The guitar is the star in the title track of this LP, much as it guides the grooves of singles “Parting (No. 2)” and “Stayed the Same,” and whether you’re a six-string buff or not, it’s an element that will engage anyone who catches a glimpse of this album’s most powerful moments.

There’s a lot more to Turned on the Stereo than just gilded guitar tones; after all, when listening to songs like “Mother Said,” “The Kind of Wound That Never Heals,” “Plan For Me” and the juggernaut “Never Go Away,” everything from the percussion to the vocal harmony itself is presenting us with a different layer of emotion. There’s scarcely a juncture in this record where Schroeder doesn’t sound deeply invested in the narrative he’s trying to get across, which is something I could only wish to see among his mainstream competitors nowadays.

At the center of every song on this LP is the magnetizing melodicism of the leading man, which despite flexing some legit muscle in past releases bearing the Eric Schroeder name sounds much more relaxed and on-point in tracks like “Do Done Now,” “Claire’s Song” and “Easier Way to Go” than it ever did before. There’s no hesitation on the part of our leading man here; if anything, I’m not sure that he’s come across quite as confident in his performance as he does in a couple of this record’s most climactic fever pitches.

https://open.spotify.com/album/7h8hV4kn18WMWcov4723YN?si=CgrNzFBvRs6D-BaqroToKQ&nd=1&dlsi=b22a7ce812e34a6e

As far as the production quality is concerned, Turned on the Stereo is a superbly tight album that doesn’t leave us guessing how richly textured and full a song like the title track or “Never Go Away” might sound in a live capacity, which is undeniably a tough feat to pull off. It’s perhaps not as evenly mixed as The Crucifixion of Eric Schroeder was, but I don’t know that he was looking to go super-polished in this instance; there’s a certain authenticity that comes with filtering fresh material through a raw, unconventional sound, and that could be why this LP stings as hard as it does.

Though I just started exploring Eric Schroeder’s complete discography a little closer this April, I’ve come to appreciate his approach to songwriting all the more thanks to Turned on the Stereo, which I deem the most mature offering he has released thus far. Schroeder isn’t working with major label assets by any means here, but he’s nevertheless turning in something that feels wholly compelling and different from what his contemporaries are producing in this first half of 2024, and that alone makes it a worthwhile listen for anyone who demands organic quality in rock anymore. Top to bottom, this is a terrific listen for those who love indie riffs and smoldering lyrical emissions.

Sebastian Cole

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The Skinny Limbs Unveil Galactic Soundscape with ‘Mozart for Martians’ EP Premiere

The Skinny Limbs have unveiled their latest EP, “Mozart for Martians,” which consists of five stellar tracks that revolve around the complex universe of emotions accompanying a long-term relationship’s end. This EP’s celestial soundtrack for heartbreak, rejuvenation, and reflection seamlessly blends indie-pop with lo-fi vibes and Japanese pop influences, transcending musical genres.

This eclectic mix creates a vibrant tapestry of sound, drawing listeners into a realm that is both familiar and otherworldly. The raw vulnerability in each track reflects band member Max Knoth’s personal journey through love, loss, and life’s unpredictable twists.

Lead single “Too Little Too Late” is a gut-punching anthem that blends poignant lyrics with a sonic fusion of Japanese pop and indie elements, capturing the EP’s emotional core. Meanwhile, “To The Limit” offers a celestial blend of melodies and evocative lyrics, portraying the feelings of confusion and frustration that accompany life’s hurdles.

The EP’s sonic journey is completed by the unreleased gems, “Monday,” a jammy reflection of Max Knoth’s tumultuous breakup week, “I Know You Care,” an older track reborn, and “For So Long!,” a groovy exploration of confusion, patience, and the search for clarity.

Produced by Connor Robertson, Jake Rye, and The Skinny Limbs, and mastered by Mike Cervantes (known for his work with Dolly Parton and MisterWives), this EP is a masterful blend of heartfelt storytelling and musical innovation. The production quality is top-notch, and the EP’s 18-minute runtime provides a concise yet powerful journey that will leave listeners craving more.