Real life couple Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice have been making music together for years. Rice has released a few solo albums and Lewis has released a ton of music as a solo artist and as singer for indie rock band Rilo Kiley. They have been collaboration together as well, on many of their individual releases, but, until now, they have not made music together in this form. The album is truly theirs, as they play more than 90% of the musical parts, as well as do all of the singing, lyric writing, and production. It is an album full of music that is reminiscent of 90's era college rock, west coast surf rock from the 50's, and a little bit of their individual styles from their recent work. "Scissor Runner" is a poppy tune that may lead the way as a breakout single and "Big Wave" musically depicts the demise of the California financial sector. Jenny and Johnny are two of the most outstanding musicians on the indie circuit and as collaborators their excellence is magnified. These two are certain to have a potential new musical career to focus on, especially following the success of other collaborative acts, particularly She & Him (M. Ward & Zooey Deschanel).
Indie pop bands are everywhere, so it can be hard to decipher which ones are the best. Jukebox The Ghost is making a stellar case for themselves with their newest album release out on Yep Roc Records. Their energy is amped up and their mix of pop rock gold and lyrical cleverness puts them at the top of their game, and one of the best at this craft in recent months. Songs like "Schizophrenia" and "Empire" prove that the pop song is alive and well and that stuff that claims to be pop on top 40 radio doesn't hold a candle to the real thing. Fans of everyone from Jimmy Eat World all the way to Josh Ritter will find something they love about this band and this album. It's no wonder these guys will be sharing the stage this fall with the likes of Guster and Elizabeth & The Catapult. Jukebox The Ghost have released one of the year's best indie albums and now they will show the world what they are made of.
Tom Freund is one of those musicians that doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Sure he's been around for a while and made a ton of great records. His last was produced by and featured Ben Harper, and although he did get some more exposure, coupling with Ben Harper again didn't give him the boost he needed to become as recognized as acts like Jack Johnson and Ray LaMontagne. Needless to say, Freund continues to make music and he continues to get better. His music is perfect California folk rock and is rooted by his lyrics and his love for the influence of jazz. Upright bass has always been a staple for Fruend, and the subtleties of the music showcase both his unique voice and his outstanding skills as a musician and songwriter. Songs like "Ghost In This Town" and "Little Room Of Mine" are welcome additions to his repertoire and consequently two performances that are among his best. "Truly Mellow" shows off his truly mellow side, and although this EP is just a quick five songs, Freund shows off more than just his mellowness. He's shows off how spectacular a musician he is, and despite the fact he isn't selling out stadiums and amphitheaters, he still is making music just as good, if not better, than those who are making it big.
Jaymes Reunion's debut album is a bit of pop rock that is right in the vein of Maroon 5 and OneRepublic. Their funkiness is a lot less than Maroon 5, however, the delivery of all their music, both slow and fast songs, has the same pop flavor. Songs like the radio gem "Fine" and "Let It Shine" are going to prove to be big hits for these guys. The music on this album can be enjoyed by anyone from top 40 listeners to alternative rock junkies. This debut album has the makings of a true pop rock success story, and with their great songs and tight performances Jaymes Reunion will certainly be turning heads out on the road.
Carbon Leaf's newest musical endeavor is their first independently released collection of studio recordings since 2001's "Echo Echo." Following up their stint as soundtrackers for the "Curious George" animated sequel, the new EP features music that is a bit of a sidestep for Carbon Leaf. Most of the music is down tempo and several of the songs clock in at over five minutes. "If I Were A Cowboy" is the EP standout performance taking on a bit of a country vibe, while "Native America" and "Midwestern Girl" are the two tracks that are more along the signature Carbon Leaf sound. Being that they've labeled this set Volume One, there is bound to be a second collection released, and possibly more, but for now, these 7 songs are just what fans need to satisfy their need or new Carbon Leaf music.
