“Better For The Metaphor†begins with “My Houseâ€, a track that will immediately remind listeners of a young Elvis Costello. The bouncy, memorable arrangements that are present during this track could easily have been on “This Year’s Modelâ€, and this opening track thus offers a perfect way into the rest of “Better For The Metaphorâ€. “Go Getter†has a much more sultry, slinky sound that links together INXS and Lenny…
Ireland has not been known for their hip hop and rap acts in the past. This compilation looks to change that feeling, and establish each act as a viable force in world R&B circles. It may be hard to believe that each of the twenty acts on “Irish Hip Hop Volume 1†are good, but whether it is GMC’s “Homeâ€, Shaymin’s “Lassieâ€, Ophelia’s “Revolutionary†or any of the cuts in…
There have been so many albums that look to make a spin on Christmas classics that it becomes hard to find a release that does anything new in the slightest. However, Winter Dance Party’s “Holiday Greetings To You†is a release that does just that, and shows listeners that storied songs such as “Frosty The Snowmanâ€, “Santa Claus is Coming To Townâ€, and “Twelve Days of Christmas†can be jazzed…
“Hey Little Girl†is the first track on Knox Bronson’s “Pop Down The Yearsâ€, and it immediately distinguishes Bronson as someone that boldly forges a new and unique form of music. The track ties together traditional rock music with an airy approach to electronic music, crafting something in “Hey Little Girl†that will immediately and positively impact listeners. “Old Man Cold Man†follows up “Hey Little Girlâ€, and presents a…
The titular track starts off “Meridiansâ€, and despite the fact that the piano is the key element to the track, the addition of atmospheric elements to the track is what makes the composition into something spectacular. Mih does not need anything in the way of vocals to tell a narrative, ensuring that listeners are taken for a journey throughout each of “Meridians†9 tracks. The types of genres and styles…
While the music you would expect me to obsess over wouldn’t usually include a pop ballad, I will state this with pride. I have been following David Archuleta from the moment he sang his first note on American Idol: Season 7. His humble nature, and amazing story about how he goes from the possibility of never singing again to his incredible talent absolutely won me over. His first single with…
Rise Against opens their new single, “Re-Education (Through Labor)†with a hard-hitting intro we have come to expect from the group. It features some exceptionally clean pauses that add depth. The first chorus breaks in with gritty, raw vocals that are not over-powered by the powerful guitars that squeal on in the backdrop. The time change in the chorus adds a dimension to the song that will appear to a…
If Janis Joplin and Regina Spektor were combined and made to sing over eerie folk tunes, we would have ourselves Ane Brun. Being that I love both aforementioned acts, I definitely appreciate “The Treehouse Songâ€. While the lyrics are young and fun at times, the minor chords bring a darkness to the table that leave a ton of room to think to. It is good to see that folk music…
As someone who has kept up with the band since the days of “Swing Swingâ€, the intro to this song leaves me shocked that I am hearing The All-American Rejects. The opening and bouncy beat definitely channel Smash Mouth, when upon further research I discovered this song was produced by Eric Valentine, who also produced some Smash Mouth singles.
With simple rhymes, an ever thickening melody, and the occasional whoa, Snow Patrol is at first unrecognizable until past the first verse of their Geffen released single “Take Back The Cityâ€. The chorus explodes into subtle harmonies and a calming vocal display backed by a thick but not overbearing up-tempo beat. The second time through the track, I felt like I was appreciating the vocals in the verses and the…
While the original engagement of Little Fish only ran for a little over three weeks (February 15th to March 9th, 2003), the impact that Michael John LaChiusa’s music had on all lucky enough to familiarize themselves with it cannot be understated. This was first seen in the musical’s second life, where it enjoyed over a month of performances in 2007 at The Blank Theatre (Los Angeles). The musical’s cast recording,…
“Father Time†is Ketchum’s tenth studio album, and it represents a perfect example as to where Ketchum currently is in eir musical development, and what really is left for eir to conquer with the next ten or so albums. The first track on “Father Timeâ€, “Invisible†is a perfect introduction to 2008’s Ketchum, no matter if the individual listening in is familiar with Ketchum’s previous recording. “Invisible†skillfully blends trends…
Fourplay just released their “Energyâ€, their 11th album overall. While some individuals may not be familiar with their work after 1991’s “Fourplayâ€, which sold over a million copies and charted on the contemporary jazz charts for about two-thirds of a year, the energy that Fourplay brings to “Energy†should draw a wide array of fans, both new and old. The disc itself begins with “Fortune Tellerâ€, a track that really…
Mamma Mia! was one of the biggest hits of the summer movie season, and as of right now, the box it brought in far surpassed any other musical released. It is not surprising that Decca chose to release a soundtrack of the film, then. All of listeners’ favorite ABBA tracks are here, be they “The Winner Takes It Allâ€, “The Name of the Gameâ€, “Super Trouperâ€, or even “Dancing Queenâ€.…
Kenny Lattimore is an individual that, while not gaining the same commercial success of some of eir colleagues, has cultivated a rapid fan base over the last twenty years. “Timeless†is the disc that is poised to bring Lattimore’s soul-filled stylings into the mainstream, something that is first provided to listeners during the disc’s introductory track, “Somethingâ€. Of course, tracks like “And I Love Her†(The Beatles), “Ain’t No Way 
Oxford Collapse has been around for 6 years, and each subsequent release has built well their mystique, leading forth from their self-titled demo up through their debut (2004’s “Some Wildernessâ€), to their Sub Pop debut (2006’s â€Remember The Night Partiesâ€). “Electric Arcâ€, the disc’s first track, immediately shows fans familiar with the band this evolution, leading forth strongly into “The Birthday Warsâ€. “The Birthday Wars†has a very complex sounds…
Pretty much, the only familiarity that listeners on this side of the Atlantic would have had with Alabama 3 up to this point would have been through the use of “Woke Up This Morning†as the theme from The Sopranos. Luckily, One Little Indian has released a “greatest hits†for Alabama 3 in “Hits & Exit Woundsâ€. This disc gives listeners a quick rundown of those tracks deemed best by…
Billy Joel’s 1977 album, “The Strangerâ€, has a number of hits that fans of Joel’s would declare as some of Joel’s defining tracks. This means that “Just The Way You Areâ€, “She’s Always A Womanâ€, and “Movin’ Out†all reached the top 20, while “Only The Good Die Young†hit #24. A slight bit over thirty years have passed, and Sony Legacy have recreated some of the original magic that…
B.B. King just celebrated eir 83rd birthday on September 16th, and did it in a way that showcases that ey still has it, playing at both Bonnaroo and the South Shore Music Circus in the months leading up to the release of this album. The twelve tracks on the album show a number of King’s favorite tracks, be they Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “See That My Grave Is Kept Cleanâ€, John…
After what can only be called an homage to Bright Eyes’ “Liftedâ€, The End of the World come forth with a rounded out bit of indie rock that has all the swirling guitars and earthy sounds that a Sunny Day Real Estate or a Sebadoh were known. The emotive vocals skew more towards early nineties Goo Goo Dolls than Omaha, but the act thrives on this style. The emotional intensity…