One of the best live bands around, O.A.R. has put out an excellent new live album showcasing their two night run in Chicago in June 2009. Having already released a handful of live albums, O.A.R. is now stranger to this format, however this album is the first to span the band's entire studio catalogue. The best part about the album is that, across two nights, the band fit in their hits, many of their fan's favorites, and a few surprises as well. In the first night's set, the guys stuck in an acoustic set of tunes featuring their signature tune "That Was a Crazy Game Of Poker" and their hit song "Shattered." "Risen," "This Town," "Love And Memories," Hey Girl," and "Lay Down." all find their way onto the album. Fan favorities like "Black Rock," "On Top The Cage," and "City On Down" were all included and performed outstandingly. Robert Randolph joined the band on stage during the night one performance to perform a cover of the Led Zeppelin song "Fool In The Rain." The "Rain Or Shine" aspect of the album comes from the weather that the band experienced during their two nights, and they weren't about to let it stop them. Their catalogue is extensive and between the two discs only 2 songs were repeated, and they were performed both acousticly plugged in. This album is certainly awesome and features some of their best released live performances of certain songs to date.
Musket is a new side project from Eric Lyman of the band Slackstring, and featured a completely different sound that we are used to hearing from him. Musket is a band that is more on the indie side of things, stepping away from the usual SoCal acoustic laid back vibe that Lyman's other band is known for. Pro surfer Brad Gerlach is also a member of the band. The music is hard to describe, as it draws its elements from all different styles of rock music. It's got a hard edge at times and at other times is as mellow as it gets, but in each song it's the musical guitars and drums that shine. It's the kind of music you'd hear in action sports videos for things like skateboarding and surfing. Musket may not turn out to be the next great rock sensation, but their music is awesome and it's nice to hear a different side of southern California.
It's not often a promising young band releases as stellar a debut as Elmwood's. Poised to be part of the next generation of great live rock bands, Elmwood is beginning their journey following in the footsteps of bands like Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., and Virginia Coalition. They have harnessed the musicality of each of the members of the band, combining their talents and efforts for a debut album that will have them selling out stadiums in the future. A music of shorter pop tunes and longer jams is the perfect combination, and songs like the title track and "Night Caper" are sure to make any listener an instant fan. There's only up from here, and Elmwood have found their springboard to catapult them to the next level.
Marc B. joins the mess of talented young performers coming out of southern California with his debut "The Yellow Jelly EP." He mixes his blend of acoustic folk, hip hop style, and laid back delivery for a refreshing take on this ever expanding sub genre of music. Not quite alternative, but not quite folk, each song fits somewhere between both on the spectrum, and draws comparisons to everyone from Jack Johnson to Sublime. "The River" is the hands down stand out track, and is also featured at the end of the EP as a live on-air radio performance. Marc B. is at the beginnings of his career, with a promising debut.
Lotus is an inventive band performing live electronic music, and on their latest release, a combined double EP, they show off some of their most interesting work. Their previous albums have featured everything from jam band rock to outright danceable electronica and this new EP showcases how both combine for and interesting and unique sound. Featured on the EP are some new recordings that didn't quite make the cut for their most recent studio release as well as some remixes of songs off of that album. Overall it's a great collection of music for the die hard fan, and all listeners will be impressed by the freshness of the sound.
After self releasing a few album, Stacy Clark has finally got the backing of a label. That being said, she has harnessed her unbelievable ability to write great pop songs and released a new album that is her most accessible yet. The lead single "Touch & Go" is going to make her a huge success, and once music fans get a hold of her album they are going to love songs like "All Time Low" and "Air Force." She mixes her roots in acoustic pop and emo with the best production she has had on any of her albums to create a defining sound that is all her own. Stacy Clark is certainly an artist to watch, with a new album that is going to stand up as one of the year's best.