This project involved developing a modern looking professional webspace for a popular Realtor out of South Florida named Adam Raizin. Prior to our discussions, Mr. Raizin had a basic Web 1.0 style static website. We took advantage of the popular WordPress CMS in order to harness the power of it’s Search Engine Optimization tactics, dynamic page display, and it’s easy integration with all major social networking websites. It was also important to Mr. Raizin to maintain the “dog friendly” branding associated with his past website, AdamAndHandsome.com. After only one month, we developed a professional website that has helped expand his business.

Once I put on “Self-Titled Album,” by The Audition, and gave it a proper spin, I couldn’t help but see big lights embracing these artists in the near future. From the start, you can hear the immense amount of production work and technique that went into this record. Couple that with sheer talent and you’ve got a great follow up to their last album “Champion,” which in my opinion, was a hard act to follow.
With a string of successful tours accompanying the likes of Boys Like Girls, Head Automatica, Valencia, Hit The Lights, and Jacks Mannequin, the guys in The Audition have brought the raw intensity of their live show into the studio, creating a polished pop-rock album with some soon to be classics. The first track “The Running Man,” pulls you in with their familiar sound but then, with little warning, drops an artistic break down, proving their growth by pulling you even deeper into the song. Head on over to their flashy myspace, courteousy of Glamour Kills, and stream the majority of the album for free. In my opinion, this is definitly one worth purchasing. Regardless of the way you plan on procuring this album, make sure you show these artists some support by purchasing one of the many trendy t-shirts they’ve got to offer or heading out to their live show the next time they’re in town.

- Michael George

I think it’s worth noting that the French alt-rock artists in the band Phoenix as well as their upcoming release ”Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” are making a huge splash in the blogosphere comproable to that surrounding the last Vampire Weekend release. Also peculiar is how this album leaked online at the end of March but isn’t due out untill May 26th…
A plan to build buzz? Perhaps, but I’m not complaining because I was lucky enough to do some google searching and find a viable link to the leak of “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” and honestly, it is straight up stellar. Whether you plan on downloading the leak or waiting until the release date you’d be a fool to not go check these guys out. On their myspace they allow you to preview the first two tracks from the up-and-coming release, “Lisztomania” and  ”1901″, both of which are downright addicting.  In order to capitalize on the large amount of buzz they’ve got going, Phoenix also allows their fans to download “1901″ from their website. Not only do you get the track, but you get the individual layers used to create the song, thereby making it easier for remix artists to grab hold of and utilize.
- Michael George

I’d be lying if I said I had been a big Manchester Orchestra fan for sometime now. To the contrary, I discovered these guys a few weeks ago and immersed myself in their catalog. When the newest album, “Mean Everything to Nothing,” leaked, it went straight into heavy rotation on my iTunes. Today, April 21st, 2009, the official release date for this stellar album, I feel compelled to give credit where credits due.
It’s been awhile since I’ve thrown an album on and didn’t feel an urge to hit the “next” button. This is where “Mean Everything to Nothing,” finds itself at the top of the totem pole. An album thats good to the last drop, “METN,” is as catchy as it is experimental. Refining their indie sound a la the likes of hometown heros Brand New, Manchester Orchestra follows in suit, creating a more grown up, well rounded, full legnth to add to their already dope collection of releases.
With the guidance of Andrew Ellis (Paradigm Agency) and the backing of Sony Music Group, the future looks bright for Manchester Orchestra. Be sure to stream the album over on their myspace and if you simply can’t get enough, head on over to iTunes and grab that shit for keeps.

- Michael George

In 2006 Brand New dropped their most recent full length “The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me,” which further expanded the depths of their talent, proving they are not afraid to grow, regardless if they are breaking the mold set by them on past records. Since then fans have been yearning for new material. Luckily, in 2007 they dropped “Fork and Knife,” an iTunes single that is also available for streaming on their website.
For the fans of Brand New there is good news to be heard. Floating around the internet for a minute now, here is “Gasoline,” the newest BN song to hit cyberspace.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jew-8QyfenI]

If you dig what you hear and wanna cop it for yourselves click on over here: [mediafire]

- Michael George

The product of four super talented musicians and non-stop practicing, comes the newest EP from Destiny Or Design. Although nameless, the EP sure as hell reminds us all why we believed in DOD in the first place. The ever so tight drumming of Jordan Schneider, screaming guitar riffs of Tommy Fleischmann, whimsical vocal melodies of David DiPrimo, and driving bass lines of Douglas Torres help bring this EP to heights the band has been on the cusp of approaching for years now.
The last time I caught these guys live (February 28th @ Temple Beth-Am,) I was simply blown away by how much they’ve grown up. Through all the years, the boys have never failed to produce anything less then stellar. Keeping with tradition, this EP will do anything but disappoint. It’s clear that their relationship with producer Brian Russel has continued to grow, expanding the capabilities of the band as artists, allowing them to better encapsulate their live show sound into a great sounding recording.
This past week the boys in DOD were featured on the front page of Purevolume and also dropped two new videos, an update to their loyal fans, done hilariously by sir Fleischmann, as well as a video montage set to the dope new track that I simply cannot get out of my head, “In A World.” Check it out below and don’t forget to scope these boys out on their Myspace.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq5S_VoPBg0]
- Michael George

Okay everyone, calm down, I know these guys aren’t from LI but hot damn their tracks are dope. A four piece from Charlotte, North Carolina, Harvard is an example of a band whose not afraid to experiment rather then casting their art into an already existing mold. Thanks to their post in the SOUND OFF! section, I followed their link and was pleasantly surprised.

It goes without saying that although the internet has allowed for the free flow of expression by musicians of all sizes, the majority of the music put out today downright sucks. That is why, finding a new artist, whose talent speaks louder then their hype, is not only unique, but god damn RARE!

Infectious riffs, ridiculous vocal technique, [think lots of range with perfectly hit high notes and lots of dynamics a la the likes of Anthony Green and Daryl Palumbo] and the overall production of their tracks, allow the true geniuses within to shine through. Go scope their tracks and pay them the respects they deserve by heading on over to their myspace. If perhaps you find your next favorite band, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
-Michael George

It’s official, it’s exclusive, and it’s damnnnn good. Big City Light’s new track “Turn the Knife,” has dropped as an ABSOLUTExclusive. Do yourself a favor and scope it out below…
-Michael George

ABSOLUTExclusive: Big City Lights
By Mike Kraft

Big City Lights are bringing you an ABSOLUTExclusive of their song “Turn The Knife”; the third track off their new EP. Check it out on their AbsolutePunk profileand let them know what you think. Also, they will be shooting a music video for the song “Wrecking Ball” in New York and need extras. If you’re interested, shoot them a message through Myspace to get more info.

In boardrooms across the globe label execs are pondering their next key move in the battle against piracy. It may come as a shock, especially with the booming success of iTunes, however only 5% of all online music downloads are legal.

One sunny afternoon while anxiously twittering the intern to bring them some more damn coffee, these execs decided it’d be a good idea to drop this war on the individual and bring it straight to the source: the Internet Service Providers (ISP). In typical Major Label fashion, discussions have formed and dismantled between both parties, due to the unrealistic expectations of the majors.

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