REVIEW: Bahamas - Barchords

Bahamas sounds like an alt-country version of mellow acoustic rock you might hear on a beach somewhere in the South Pacific or California or even the Caribbean. The cool, calm feel of all the songs on the album feel like a bit of a throwback to simpler, more jangly music that was around in the 50's and 60's. However, the coolest part of Bahamas' new album and his musical performances as a whole, the songs sound so new and fresh and innovative. "Caught Me Thinking" is an instant classic and takes his last album and launches it into a new stratosphere of music. While every song on his first album was artistic, the accessibility of the masses was virtually non-existent. The new album is a fuller, catchier, and brighter version of his debut (of course with all new songs). While critically his debut was raved about, not many people (aside from the Brushfire Records die-hard fans) really embraced it. This album will be one that many fans from all over the world will be able to wrap their arms around and fall in love with. Standout's include the mellow opener "Lost In The Light" along with "OK Alright I'm Alive." Songs such as the vintage sounding "I Got You Babe" and "Your Sweet Touch" will surely become fan favorites, particularly amongst those who understand and appreciate the album as a whole and don't just key in on what they might hear on the radio or see on the web. "Barchords" is awesome, yet simple, artsy music for the listener who wants something that doesn't sound a whole lot like the rest of everything else.

REVIEW: Matt Corby - Into The Flame

For many fans of music, television shows where unknown singers compete for record contracts are not the place where you find real talent. Sure, success has been had by winners (and some losers) of these shows, but the vast majority fade into oblivion. This is a case where a loser of one of these shows has used his appearance to catapult himself into the limelight. The catch: he appeared on Australian Idol, a version of the popular American television show filmed down under. His most recent EP is his best recording yet, combining rootsy soul with acoustic folk is a combination unheard anywhere in the world. He is purely amazing with the way he transmits his music, transforming the air into a canvas for his sonic paints. The track "Brother," which is the single from this independently released EP, found itself winding up at #3 on 2011's "Hottest 100" song list as voted on by fans of Australian radio station Triple J. The song is one of the best songs you'll ever hear and will instantly get stuck in your head for hours on end. This EP is just the latest in a string of short recordings that Corby has put out since his television appearance, but will surely be the springboard which catapults him to stardom throughout the entire world. American satellite radio has even begun playing his cover of the Black Keys' "Lonely Boy" that he recorded live in studio for Triple J's :Like A Version." Get to know Matt Corby now, because he is going to be a household name by the year's end, and and you'll be able to say you knew him before he was huge (at least in the US).

REVIEW: Ben Kweller - Go Fly A Kite

Ben Kweller is a talented musician that has proven that he can go through everything from power pop to country music. His last was a departure from his folk pop roots, but this new album is a return to what we grew to love Kweller for. Of all his releases this album most resembles his ATO Records debut "Sha Sha" and all his indie work prior to that. The disc is hook filled and will have you humming and singing along to it by the third track. It begins with "Mean To Me," where ben displays his closest Weezer impersonation. It's in your face power pop that you practically have memorized by the end of the song. The song is so good that, upon first listen, you might replay it before heading into track two. "Jealous Girl" is the obvious standout with it's catchy lyrics and accessible folk-pop tones. This is the song that you'd hear accross multiple radio formats and it would fit in and standout in all of them. Kweller is a master of simplicity, knowing just how to boil his own complexity down to make his songs likeable. "Go Fly A Kite" is a return to his roots, sitting just where and why we fell in love with him.