THE 30 BEST ALBUMS OF 2011

1. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong
2. Brett Dennen - Loverboy
3. The Head And The Heat - The Head And The Heart
4. O.A.R. - King
5. G. Love - Fixin' To Die
6. Dispatch - Dispatch EP
7. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
8. Matt Nathanson - Modern Love
9. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - Chasing Someday
10. Death Cab For Cutie - Codes And Keys
11. My Morning Jacket - Circuital
12. Sam Roberts Band - Collider
13. Trevor Hall - Everything Everytime Everywhere
14. Bahamas - Pink Strat
15. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
16. The Black Keys - El Camino
17. Mat Kearney - Young Love
18. Release The Sunbird - Come Back To Us
19. Bob Schneider - A Perfect Day
20. Needtobreathe - The Reckoning
21. William Fitzsimmons - Gold In The Shadow
22. Amos Lee - Mission Bell
23. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire
24. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
25. Chadwick Stokes - Simmerkane II
26. Barefoot Truth - Carry Us On
27. Mike Doughty - Yes And Also Yes
28. Zee Avi - Ghostbird
29. Jessica Lea Mayfield - Tell Me
30. James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning

If you'd like to view and/or purchase albums on this and previous top 30 lists click here.

CD REVIEW: Chamberlin "Cabin Covers EP"

When bands release cover songs they can be one of two things: karaoke copycat versions or total reinventions. Chamberlin has reinvented a small handful of tunes that have recently graced the airwaves of alternative and indie rock radio. Covering fresh new material is always a challenge, but it's also refreshing to hear a different take on catchy music that is still floating around in your head. The coolest is the interpretation of Kanye West's "Lost In The World" which takes a rock band covering hip hop in a different direction. Now, Kanye sung much of that tracks, but Chamberlin adds a bit of spookiness that is similar to Bon Iver (which coincidentally cowrote and sung on Kanye's track). Foster The People's gigantic hit "Pumped Up Kicks" gets a new spin with Chamerlin's signature style, and sounds nothing like the original, but still maintains it's slick catchy nature. Cults, Vampire Weekend, and Passion Pit songs also get a fresh coat of Chamberlin paint. This EP is a steller, yet short, collection of cover songs that are so well performed that they could easily be mistaken for Chamberlin originals.

CD REVIEW: Graham Colton "Pacific Coast Eyes, Vol. 2"

Graham Colton's rerelease of his latest album is coupled with a short EP of new tunes. The EP (which is actually, the Vol. 2 portion) has three tracks from the original collection which he rerecorded and three tracks that were left off the original mix. The bottom line is that Graham wanted his fans to get the most out of this album, and rereleasing it was the best way. The album features the hit title song single (as well as the EP) which showcases Colton at his pop songwriting best. "Love Comes Back Around" and "1981" are also standouts of the album. The nicest reinvention of a song on the album is "Twenty Something" which gets the full pop rock treatment in this updated version of one of the best tracks from Colton's self released EPs. Graham Colton has proven that he in no way needs a major label behind him to make and release great music. He is a true underappreciated talent that has no where to go but up.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Dispatch - Live At Red Bull Arena (DVD)
• Keller Williams - Bass

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• The Black Keys - El Camino
• Dia Frampton - Red
• Dave Matthews Band - Live In Atlantic City
• The Roots - Undun

BURN THIS / December 2011

1. The Fray "Heartbeat"
2. Jon McLaughlin (featuring Xenia) "Maybe It's Over"
3. Tim Blane "Magnetic"
4. Kina Grannis "In Your Arms"
5. Steve Moakler "Waiting"
6. Mat Kearney "Count On Me"
7. Javier Colon (featuring Adam Levine) "Stand Up"
8. Dia Frampton "The Broken Ones"
9. William Fitzsimmons "The Winter From Her Leaving"
10. Ed Sheeran "Lego House"
11. Joshua Hyslop "Cold Wind"
12. Chris Trapper (featuring Rob Thomas) "Here All Along"
13. Will Dailey & The Rivals "How Good It Feels"
14. Bronze Radio Return "Shake, Shake, Shake"
15. Greg Holden "I Don't Believe You"
16. Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers "Roots And Wings"
17. Matthew Mayfield "Fire Escape"
18. Needtobreathe "Slumber"
19. The White Buffalo "The Pilot"
20. Gary Clark Jr. "Don't Owe You A Thang"

Listen live to the entire playlist in the music player in the right sidebar all month long during December.