New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here
• Donavon Frankenreiter - Start Livin'
• Matthew Perryman Jones - Land Of The Living
• Mathew Mayfield - A Banquet Of Ghosts
• Julia Stone - By The Horns

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Kris Allen - Thank You Camellia
• Sara Bareilles - Once Upon Another Time
• Robert Francis - Strangers In The First Place
• JBM - Stray Ashes
• John Mayer - Born And Raised
• Jon McLaughlin - Promising Promises
• Ryan Monroe - A Painting Of A Painting On Fire
• Jason Reeves - Songs Are Silent Films

REVIEW: ALO - Sounds Like This

If this album had been release way back when Phish announced their hiatus, it would have surely propelled ALO into the spot as the dominant jam band of the moment. That being said, this new album takes a bit from their previous three and steps it way up. Their Jack Johnson-meets-Phish sound permeates the entire album, which sounds more like a jam session than a carefully crafted collection of new songs. Only two of the ten songs on the album clock it under five minutes, proving that ALO are a jam band at the core. But they still have pop sensibilities as is proven in the lyrical content. What makes the album great is that you can actually hear the four members of the band having fun through their music. They set out to make a record that just showed off how they do music and the result is an album that is as equally impressive as their live shows. The first single "Speed Of Dreams" (which was edited shorter for radio) is the only track on the album that sounds like it could have fit on any of their previous three. The opener, "Dead Still Dance," is one of those songs that showcases off the element of their live jamming and will sound just as good on stage as it does on the album. Other standouts on the album are the seemingly short "Storms And Hurricanes" and the edgy "Blew Out The Walls." From start to finish is sounds as though ALO is performing a live show and by the time it's over you'll be screaming for an encore. There songs are going to be just as fun on stage as they are on the album, and it's going to be hard to tell who's having more fun at the shows they are performed at: the band or the fans.

REVIEW: Pete Kilpatrick Band - Heavy Fire

Pete Kilpatrick Band is an incredibly underappreciated force in the music world. On their latest album they continue the greatness that they started two releases ago, and deliver well crafted pop and rock songs that showcase the intricacies of Kilpatricks lyrics and how well they are interwoven with the music. Friend and collaborator Stefan Lessard (of Dave Matthews Band) lends his talents to the edgy track "Burning Star." The title track is the album's anchor and standout, Showcasing both Kilpatrick's ability to write a catchy hook and the band's talents for crafting rock songs that don't sound like everything else on the radio. The lyrics are the root of the success of the album, but it's the creative music and instrumentation that is the glue that holds it all together, making for, quite possibly, PKB's best collection of songs to date. Each song on the album will translate well to the live stage and the album's true beauty can be fully realized upon first listen. It's not often band's can create such magnificence without a major label footing the bill, but Pete Kilpatrick Band continue to prove that the music is the heart of their band, and when it works it just works.

REVIEW: Eric Hutchinson - Moving Up Living Down

Eric Hutchinson writes and sings his music like he's a twenty year veteran of the industry. His tunes are pop gold and each and every one sounds as tight as ever on his newest album. Pretty much picking up where he left off on his last, his music dives into the various aspects off love and relationships in an incredibly relatable way. In fact, he has such a way with words and music, he can make a miserable feeling and make it sound fun and exciting just as he does on debut single "Watching You Watch Him." Other songs on the album are the piano driven "Best Days" and the subtly reggae influenced "Talk Is Cheap." Hutchinson is one of this generations premier pop singer/songwriters and his range reaches from the top 40 airwaves all the way to the smoky bars and open mic nights of the world. This latest just proves that his last album and subsequent success was no freak accident.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Best Coast - The Only Place
• Meiko - The Bright Side
• Ryan Montbleau - For Higher
• Tenacious D - Rize Of The Fenix

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• ALO - Sounds Lik This
• Sean Bones - Buzzards Boy
• Keane - Strangeland
• Greg Laswell - Landline
• Silversun Pickups - Neck Of The Woods

REVIEW: Jack Johnson & Friends - Best Of Kokua Festival

When Jack Johnson assembles an all-star lineup for his Kokua Festival he often includes his friends, many of which appear on this album. He also makes sure to include a lot of other incredibly talented musicians that all share the same vision of music as a unifier and a provider. The Kokua Festival, which Johnson created, exists to support a charitable organization that helps the youth and educational efforts in his home state of Hawaii. In fact, the sale of this album also does just that. The album features a familiar cast of characters that Jack has performed with in the past, such as Ben Harper, G. Love, & Zach Gill. However, the highlights of the album are the performances with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds and a surprise appearance at the festival by Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. Each and ever inclusion in this mix must have taken a very long time to pick as there are so many great performances that have come from previous Kokua Festivals. Songs on the album are Johnson originals, familiar cover songs, and some of his guests' music, all of which feature Jack lending his talents. Live music is supposed to be fun, even if it's slow and mellow, and Jack Johnson and friends deliver one of the most fun live compilation ever released.

REVIEW: Jason Mraz - Love Is A Four Letter Word

Jason Mraz's career started off strong and then took a left turn only to find it's way back again with the release of his last album. Skyrocketing him to new heights, the single "I'm Yours" turned Mraz into a household. That success allowed him to get a little bit more creative with his latest album, making an entire collection of music that is basically for himself. Musicians use their music as outlets for all sorts of emotions and views and beliefs, and on this album Mraz channels all of his inner love. Songs like "I Won't Give Up," "The World As I See It," and "The Woman I Love" are all smash hits in the signature Mraz style but it's the little moments on the album that shine the brightest. The inclusion of vocalist Inara George give Mraz a little indie cred, but it's the subtle jam rocker "5/6" is the best song on the album. Although he's not a jam band artist, "5/6" showcases Mraz's ability to use the music as a vessel and not just his creative lyrics. All in all, on the heels of his previous album, this one continues to propel him down a perfect path. Jason Mraz has found the ability to harness mellow and bottle it up as pop excellence.

BURN THIS / May 2012

1. ALO "Speed Of Dreams"
2. Ben Kweller "Free"
3. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals "Never Go Back"
4. Pete Kilpatrick Band (featuring Stefan Lessard) "Burning Star"
5. Dave Barnes "White Flag"
6. Meiko "Leave The Lights On"
7. The Fray "Run For Your Life"
8. Justin Levinson & The Valcours "Love You Goodbye"
9. Eric Hutchinson "Breakdown More"
10. Good Old War "Amazing Eyes"
11. Matt Corby "Souls A'Fire"
12. The Romany Rye "Untitled (Love Song)"
13. Lindsay Fuller "Everything I Ever Had"
14. The Lumineers "Ho Hey"
15. Joe Pug "Hymn #76"
16. Angus Stone "Broken Brights"
17. Robert Francis "Some Things Never Change"
18. Bahamas "OK Alright I'm Alive"
19. Jessie Baylin "Love Is Wasted On Lovers"
20. Michael Kiwanuka "Tell Me A Tale"

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts