#reviewoftheweek / Carbon Leaf - Indian Summer Revisited

Carbon Leaf have been making a name for themselves all over the nation, from their hometown roots to the radio play they've received for a handful of excellent tunes. Now, once again a true independent rock band, they have decided to rerecord, in its entirety, possibly the best album of their 20+ year career. "Indian Summer" was originally released in the summer of 2004 and features the hit single "Life Less Ordinary" which put the band on the mainstream rock map. It was also their first album released by Vanguard Records, who went on to released their next two albums as well. This album also features fan favorites "Let Your Troubles Roll By" and "What About Everything?" and bridged the gap from their roots as a Celtic rock band onto mainstream rock radio. Ten years later finds the band revisiting this classic album, showcasing its bare bones throughout the entire new release, mixing their mainstream sound with their rootsy beginning and indie band vibe. There's nothing new, nothing fresh, and nothing innovative about what they've done here. What this album is about is celebration, reflection, and remembrance. Carbon Leaf are back to their roots, and at a new crossroads as a band. What revisiting this classic album has done is show us that they are exactly who they have always been all along, at every moment throughout their history, and what they will continue to be to countless fans, young and old, new and seasoned.

#reviewoftheweek / The Mattson 2 - Agar

The Mattson 2 are a unique musical act to say the least. First and foremost, they are twin brothers making music together. Secondly, they do so just playing guitar and drums. Last, they entertain us with a style of jazz music that is as every bit classic as it is innovating and modern. Hailing from the west coast, being from the left side of the country really comes through in each song that they perform. This EP is their most recent release and one possibly their edgiest yet. Only 5 songs long, it exhibits their ability to combine their innovative jazz with their indie rock energy. The 9 minute "Peaks Of Yew" showcases their ability to jam out and the best portrayal of their appeal to the masses comes on "Dif Juz." There are no other musical acts out there like these guys. This is a good introduction, but their back catalogue is nothing to be ignored.

#reviewoftheweek / Benjamin Booker - Benjamin Booker

Benjamin Booker is one of the most exciting and talented new musicians to break onto the scene in recent years. Hailing from New Orleans, Booker blends his soulful roots music with blues and rock, and has drawn comparisons from everyone from B.B. King to The White Stripes. This album is not like what you'd expect from a new artist, and blows the roof off right from the beginning. "Violent Shiver" is the first single that has been making waves all over alternative rock and AAA radio for months. It's blend of simple punk-influenced rock and blues delivery, coupled with killer lyrics and an under three minute runtime, are the perfect recipe for a hit record that is catchy and edgy. Other tracks that define this unique and familiar sound are "Have You Seen My Son?" and "Happy Homes." You can tell throughout the entire album that Booker is both influences by everything from 90's grunge to southern blues and rock. Benjamin Booker, on the merit of this album is sure to be amongst the names mentioned come year end for all kinds of awards, from Best New Artist to Best Rock Song and Album.

#reviewoftheweek / Tauk - Homunculus & Collisions

Tauk's two most recent albums are like part one and part two of the same album. They flow right into each other and can almost be mixed up and played interchangeably, which surely makes for exciting live shows. On the first album "Homunculus" (released in 2013) the bookends of the album are the standout tracks. Both "Dead Signal" and "In The Basement Of The Alamo" showcase the best of their instrumental/lyric-free prog rock that floats right between alternative and jam band music. Both albums are incredibly guitar driven, and in many cases sound like a string of awesome guitar solos. On "Collisions" (released in 2014) the standout tracks are "Mindshift" and "Sweet Revenge" and showcase the band's ability to make vocal free songs sound like radio-ready singles. Much like electronic music, Tauk's instrumentation is driven by rhythm and intricacy, and should wow fans of many different genres. Both albums were recorded in Jack Johnson's Solar Powered Plastic Plant studios, further adding to the organic and creative juices flowing through the album. While mass media and pop and rock radio may never play the songs from these albums, Tauk has solidified themselves as a live music force to be reckoned with.

BURN THIS / September 2014

1. Angus & Julia Stone "A Heartbreak"
2. Mike Doughty "Light Will Keep Your Heart Beating In The Future"
3. The Wind And The Wave "Raising Hands Raising Hell Raise 'Em High"
4. Johnnyswim "Diamonds"
5. Phillip Phillips (featuring Robert Randolph) "Fly"
6. Needtobreathe "Brother"
7. The Wild Feathers "Left My Woman"
8. Marc Broussard "Man Ain't Supposed To Cry"
9. Charlie Mars "The Money"
10. Bahamas "Little Record Girl"
11. Roadkill Ghost Choir "Slow Knife"
12. Kina Grannis "Dear River"
13. Madi Diaz "Stay Together"
14. Sarah Jaffe "Lover Girl"
15. The Dirty Heads "Sound Of Change"
16. SOJA (featuring Anuhea & J Boog) "Easier"
17. Iration "Burn"
18. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad "Steady"
19. Rebelution "More Love"
20. Nahko & Medicine For The People "Dark As Night"