BannedPromotions.com & The Audio Nut Presents

Picks of the Year!

'07

We'll start by saying that this isn't an "album of the year" feature. While we both receive lots of cd's each year, it's absolutely impossible to hear all the other cd's that are out there (local or not), thus, it wouldn't be fair to call the following list "the best albums of the year." However, these are our "Picks of the Year", meaning simply that the cd's listed below were some of our personal favorites that we've ran across over the past year, and we encourage everyone else reading this to check out the bands, and perhaps, buy the cd and have a listen yourself. We will split the picks into two sections - local (to the Southeast Missouri region) and non-local.

Also, some of the cd's mentioned below were not released this year and will not necessarily be cd's that we've received from bands for reviews, press kits, etc. In other words, you don't have to send us your cd's for a potential mention on "Picks of the Year", though it will definitely increase your chances.

(CD's are not listed in any particular order.)

Randy's Picks

( Banned Promotions )

Band: Mika Evans Project (Cape Girardeau, MO)

CD: Based on a True Story

Comprising elements of pop/rock, strong male vocals, and some of the best songwriting you'll ever hear, this album is a testament to how good of a recording an unsigned band can get with the proper effort, rehearsal, and I'm assuming, quite a bit of 'bank'. Based on a True Story even boasts several all-star "sit-ins", including Paul Crosby (Saliva), Johnny Neal (Allman Brothers), Scott "Rock" Davis (Modern Day Zero), Andrew Dwiggins (Greenwheel), and Malcolm Springer (producer creds w/ Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, among others) - who also produced the cd.

www.myspace.com/mikaevansproject / www.mikaevans.com

View full sized Click here to read a Banned Promotions review of this cd!

"Out of Time" mp3

Buy the CD

Band: Starroy (Jonesboro, AR)

CD: Ocho For Willow

Ocho For Willow is an ultimate, eclectic mix of originality combined

with the influence of rock, blues, soul, and jazz. Superior musicianship

is prevelant throughout the entire album, possibly due to the fact that Starroy is known so well for their constant touring. Recorded at Fox Mountain Studios in Nashville, TN, the band's long-anticipated release of their debut cd, came at the hands of several months of sweat, determination, and drive. From June to December of '06, Starroy developed an astonishing portrayal of the band's sound and image, which has, in the very least, captured the attention of thousands.

www.myspace.com/starroy / www.starroy.com

Band: Further Down (Jonesboro, AR)

CD: 7 Years Hard Luck

A new era of modern Southern Rock is here - and it goes by the name of Further Down. The debut full-length from the group, 7 Years Hard Luck, has has helped them ink a huge distribution deal, licensing deal, and - believe it or not - the band has been rewarded eight ballot category entries on the official ballot for the 2008 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. This album was produced by Pete Matthews (of Evanescene fame) and is one of the finest local cd's I've ever heard, hands down. 7 Years Hard Luck is a must have for any fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Shinedown, The Black Crowes....wait, strike that - 7 Years Hard Luck is a must have for anyone.

www.myspace.com/furtherdown / www.furtherdown.us

Buy the CD

"Knumb" mp3

Honorable Mention

View full sized Visit Further Down on the web!

Buy the CD

Fists of Phoenix

In the Events of 1961

"Black & Bleach" mp3

Modern Day Zero

The Wait

Band: Horizontal Orange (Fulton, KY)

CD: For the Lovers of Sights and Sounds

This cd blends over the top, clean vocals with tremendous screams, along with a thundering beat (an extremely tight rhythm section) and some smokin' guitar work. For the Lovers of Sights and Sounds is a blistering effort that helps define the sound that IS Horizontal Orange. It's fresh, different, and represents the scene quite nicely. A great introduction to a band on the rise. Exciting and energetic beyond the norm. At least a gear ahead of anything they've done in the past - be careful, they may be heading to your hometown soon.

www.horizontalorange.net / www.myspace.com/horizontalmusic

Buy the CD

The Dirty 30's

Self-Titled

"Double Edged Sword" mp3

Band: Promise to Burn (Southeast Missouri)

CD: And Everything After

Call them pop, call them rock, call them pop rock, call them southern punk rockabilly alternative if you want. The fact is, the band Promise to Burn has succesfully produced one of, if not the, best sounding cd's in southern Missouri. I don't recall ever hearing an album as tight, and professional sounding as And Everything After from this area. Another Malcolm Springer gem, this cd is tightly wound as the band spent months and months rehearsing their licks and arrangements, and as a result, the end product is amazing.

www.promisetoburn.com / www.myspace.com/promisetoburn