Jason Spooner epitomizes the areas of the world he comes from. He is a true folk artist in ever sense of the world. While he may not sound or play music like Bob Dylan or James Taylor, he treats ever song like an organic organism with feeling, substance, and life. On his newest, and best release to date, Jason Spooner pulls out all the stops and proves why he should be recognized and celebrated as an artist. His ability to blend traditional folk with funk, jazz, and blues has this album standing out amongst others in his genre. "Seed In The Ground" is a folksy tune with emphasis on the lyrics, while the radio friendly "Half A Mind" is funky and bluesy, showing off the fun side of Spooner's music. Fans of Amos Lee, Ryan Montbleau, and Ray LaMontagne will all be able to get into each and every song on Spooner's latest, and on the heels of this album, he is poised to become just as well known and influential.
Neo folk artists Elephant Revival continue with more of the same mastery on their latest album. Once again the songwriting duties are shared amongst all five members, who collaborate with instrumentation that is unlike what typical bands perform with. The songs contained within the new album are incredibly reminiscent of artists like Dave Matthews Band (early in their career), Dispatch ("Silent Steeples" era) and the Avett Brothers, but have their own soul and energy that is unique to Elephant Revival. With banjo, cello, violin, djembe, and mandolin spearheading the music, songs like "Point Of You," "Go On," and "Feathers Rise" all take on an almost magical quality and you find yourself lost in the music. The band and the songs are not as indie hippie folk as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, but they follow the same type of musical path, making music that connects to the listeners on a variety of levels. Elephant Revival is part of a movement of music, both in their home state of Colorado and nationally, that has artists tossing aside the normal expectations of what is popular and what sells, and getting to the heart of creating music that has meaning, sincerity, and artistry. On this latest album, Elephant Revival has proven that the heart and soul of the musicians involved are the stuff that makes music wonderful.
![My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Deluxe Version) [Explicit] [+Video] [+Digital Booklet]](http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B004CA2HVE&tag=thisismodernn-20)
With his fifth album in six years, Kanye West has returned with a truly dark mix of tunes. While his two previous albums may have been musically his best and turned out some of his most popular and well received songs, his latest is by far his most artistic and abstract. Kanye West sees himself as a visionary and makes that known throughout the album, and not just with his cunning lyrics. He leaves no stone unturned and pulls out all the stops creating a collection of songs that have some interesting beats, incredibly excellent use of instrumentation that is not traditionally used in hip hop, and a who's who of guest appearances. The most notable of the appearances are by his usual suspects, Kid Cudi and Jay-Z, both who appear several times and throw down at the top of their game. Kid Cudi's appearance on "Gorgeous" is dark and spooky like this album and on "Monster," Jay-Z's verse is as good as anything he's released on his own. The craziest of guest spots is from Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) who sings on "Monster" and is sampled on "Lost In The World." Comedian Chris Rock handles a comical outro on "Blame Game" which also features guest vocals by John Legend. "Monster" is one of the album's best, featuring a stunning verse by Nicki Minaj, and could be Kanye's "Thriller." "Power" most closely resembles his previous work, and the song "Runaway" is the backbone and the most artistic of the album, clocking in at over 9 minutes. Finally, on "All Of The Lights" Kanye supplements his own lyrical genius with guest background vocals by practically everyone including Rihanna, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Drake, Fergie, and even Elton John. He may be controversial, but he's edgy, talented, and always at the top of his game, and although his latest may not be as pop accessible as some of his previous releases, it stands as one of the best pieces of artistic music released in 2010. It will receive huge critical praise, and rightfully so, and just forces Kanye to keep elevating his game even further.
![Smoking Gun [+Digital Booklet]](http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00492GP40&tag=thisismodernn-20)
The other half of the duo Angus & Julia Stone, Angus also recently released a collection of his music under the name Lady Of The Sunshine. This album, however, is a bit of a departure from his normal gig, as the entire set consists of songs heavy on electric guitar and alternative rock grooves. It still follows the same map as the folk music he creates with his sister, but it's got a bit more girth to it. "White Rose Parade" is a good bridge between his folk stylings and his rock chops, showing off his lyrical prowess as well as his new instrumentation. Angus Stone as Lady Of The Sunshine takes a different approach to his folk roots, and shows off that change a bit with the inclusion of the song "Big Jet Plane" which was made incredibly popular as a hit single from his last album with his sister. Being that this album was actually recorded prior to Angus & Julia Stone's last, it's actually the first incarnation of "Big Jet Plane" and the single was the updated version of it. Needless to say that it's excellent that the song was included on both albums. Lady Of The Sunshine still holds true to the folk and roots rock that is at the core of the music with a healthy dose of alternative flavoring up each and every song.
Power pop is in the blood of this quartet that used to be just a duo. After having released an incredibly potent debut album (under their new name), they have returned with a digital EP to follow up that successful set. The EP features a handful of new tunes that were destined to see the light of day, and it's better that it's sooner rather than later. The EP leads off with the radio ready "Models/Dancers" that, despite their head turning performances, is sure to have them becoming a household name. The standout of the album is "Every Impulse" which bridges the gap between their former and their current identities more than any other track up to this point. The song is fully plugged in but had the energy of a Pete & J performance and the lyrics are simple and to the point, showcasing the band's musical abilities to the max. Harper Blynn are one of those indie bands that understand themselves so well you feel like they have been around forever, and this new collection of songs reinforces just how excellent their music is, despite how short (or long) their career may be so far.
The White Buffalo keeps outdoing himself with each subsequent release of new music. This time it comes in the form of a five song EP released on Ruff Shod records, run by pal and musical cohort Chad Stokes of State Radio and Dispatch. The new EP features more dark and deep folk songs from the White Buffalo, showcasing his incredible and powerful vocals, intense lyrics, and Johnny Cash like guitar strumming. "Into The Sun" is an instant classic and sends give the listener chills throughout their body with each lyric and plucked string. He includes "Love Song #2" which may or may not be a sequel to his previously released "Love Song #1." The White Buffalo shines on the track "Darlin' What Have I Done," which is as close to Cash as the White Buffalo has ever come. This new EP proves that the White Buffalo is a force to be reckoned with and he is truly unlike any musician out there today. His angst, his power, and his delivery have him at the top of his musical game.