#reviewoftheweek / Dave Barnes - Golden Days

Dave Barnes is one of those underappreciated singer/songwriters. Great at his craft but still flying under the radar. Sure, some of his songs have been covered/recorded by popular artists, but Dave still seems to go unnoticed as an artist in his own right. This album seeks to uncover Barnes' true self as both a singer and a songwriter, showcasing some of his best performed and written lyrics to date. The album is pure pop rock with sing-a-long style hooks and catchy guitar riffs. The songs are identifiable and accessible by any music fan, and a welcome addition to his extensive catalogue. "Twenty Three" and "Loving Los Angeles" are two of his greatest lyrical pop songs. While his stock as a songwriter will most likely maintain its level of interest amongst his peers, it's his stock as a performer that is sure to gain a few points with fans, new and old.

BURN THIS / March 2014

1. William Fitzsimmons "Fortune"
2. James Vincent McMorrow "Gold"
3. Jose Gonzalez "Stay Alive"
4. Lord Huron "The Ends Of The Earth"
5. Roadkill Ghost Choir "Beggars' Guild"
6. Nathaniel Rateliff "Still Trying"
7. Jamestown Revival "California (Cast Iron Soul)"
8. Vance Joy "From Afar"
9. John Butler Trio "Spring To Come"
10. G. Love & Special Sauce (featuring Ben Harper) "Nothing Quite Like Home"
11. Karl Denson's Tiny Universe "Sure Shot"
12. Rustic Overtones "The Show Must Go On"
13. The Revivalists "When I'm Able"
14. Moon Taxi "The New Black"
15. Kongos "Come With Me Now"
16. Sam Roberts Band "Too Far"
17. Graham Colton "Mixed Up"
18. Andrew Ripp "Falling For The Beat"
19. Rosi Golan (featuring Johnny McDaid) "Give Up The Ghost"
20. O.A.R. "Peace"

#reviewoftheweek / Elizabeth & The Catapult - Like It Never Happened

Blurring the lines between pop and indie rock, Elizabeth & The Catapult have returned with a fabulous new album of creative and innovative music. Never ones to be cookie cutter, the band has put together fun music, clever lyrics, and fresh delivery to showcase that the same old thing doesn't necessarily have to be the way to go. "Shoelaces" and the title track are the hands down top songs on the album, but the album as a whole flows with fun and variety. Just as colorful as the album's cover art, the music throughout the album provides an array of sonic colors and flavors. Continuing down a steady path, Elizabeth & The Catapult have proven that being individual and being creative still have their place in the music world, and discovering that is easily done through this album.

#reviewoftheweek / Sam Roberts Band - Lo-Fantasy

Perhaps one of the most underrated rock bands making music these days, Sam Roberts Band are back with their newest album and a welcome addition to the current musical landscape. It bridges the gap between psychedelia and alternative rock better than any other release in recent history. The debut single, "We're All In The Together," is the closest connection to the band's previous releases and the entire album continues down the funky path that their previous release set them on. Syncopated rhythms and arena-rock guitars fill the space on the entire album, while the lyrics showcase storytelling and poetry. Other standout tracks are "Too Far" and "Shapeshifters." Sam Roberts Band needs to be taken seriously south of the (Canadian) border and this just might be the album to do that.

#reviewoftheweek / Rustic Overtones - Let's Start A Cult 2

I think we all kinda knew that Rustic Overtones would be back after they "broke up" in the middle of the last decade. But, since reforming and recording music together again, they have put together some excellent and classic music. In fact, if the music industry embraced them for what they had to offer back in the late 90's, the music that they have put out over the last 5 years would have been delivered about 10 years ago! Regardless, this short and potent addition of the Overtones' catalogue, showcases all eras of their greatness. The absolute standout track is "Martyrs" which features some killer guitar playing by Eric Krasno of Soulive (also a bandmate of RO's own Ryan Zoidis in Lettuce). Their grooviness is highlighted on the song "High On Everything" which is a track that could have easily found it's way onto their major label debut "Viva Nueva!" which was supposed to catapult them into the alternative jam band stratosphere and set them up as the next DMB. Well, the show must go on, and the first track on this album showcases why the band's stock is as valuable today as it was ever predicted to be. Everything happens for a reason, and now, Rustic Overtones' cult of followers are proof enough that this band and album are, at the very least, stellar.

#reviewoftheweek / Graham Colton - Lonely Ones

Starting out as an independent artist, then signing a major record deal, and having returned to his roots as an independent musician, Graham Colton is at the top of his game. When you can keep churning out music as an indie act, despite the changes in the way yours and all music is consumed, you have got something special. Colton keeps his sound fresh and new on his latest album and, once again, adds to his collection of hit songs. While the music may not win awards or find its way onto pop radio, it's refreshing to hear such quality and solidly crafted songs. Songs such as "Hands Untied" and "Born To Raise Hell" showcase Graham's ability to build excellent music with tight lyrics that are accessible across a multitude of generations. This is the type of music that you loved as a teen, continue to love as an adult, and can't wait to share with your kids. Colton sings and writes about universal themes and this album is as good as all of his catalogue. He continues to show that staying power in the music world is as simple as doing what works and doing it well.

BURN THIS / February 2014

1. Eric Hutchinson "Tell The World"
2. Brett Dennen "When We Were Young"
3. Courtney Jaye "Love And Forgiveness"
4. Graham Colton "Hands Untied"
5. Needtobreathe "The Heart"
6. Little Hurricane "Sheep In Wolves Clothes"
7. Swear And Shake "Fire"
8. The Belle Brigade "Ashes"
9. Pete Francis "Nosedive"
10. Karl Denson's Tiny Universe (featuring Nicki Bluhm) "My Baby"
11. The Bamboos "Avenger"
12. Rustic Overtones (featuring Eric Krasno) "Martyrs"
13. Wake Owl "Candy"
14. James Vincent McMorrow "Cavalier"
15. Greg Laswell "Comes And Goes (In Waves)"
16. Gregory Alan Isakov "Saint Valentine"
17. Mason Jennings "Wilderness"
18. Jamestown Revival "Fur Coat Blues"
19. Lee DeWyze "Like I Do"
20. Ben Fuller "Love Song For The People"

#reviewoftheweek / Aer - Aer

Hip hop and reggae mix well all the time, but it's when you add in the acoustic guitars and the fun elements of sunny party music that elevates the sound. There are tons of bands that have attempted to live in the space that this sound occupies, but very few have been as successful at owning is as Aer have. Their latest, a self titled release, this their defining moment as a band. From the lead track, also the lead single, through the entire album, Aer mixes fun music with cunning lyrics and spot on delivery proving that they deserve to be talked about in the same breath as The Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid, and Sublime. Naming the album after themselves was surely the right way to go, because their sound and success will forever be defined by this release.

#reviewoftheweek / James Vincent McMorrow - Post Tropical

 

Palm trees, ocean waves, and flamingos are not the first images that come to mind when thinking about and listening to James Vincent McMorrow's music, but his latest album is a little bit of a departure from his signature sound. He has had a bit of a dark depressive quality throughout his music in the past, but his new album features is same indie mellow sound, but with a little bit more of an upbeat bright quality. The stand out tracks on the album are "Red Dust," "Gold," and the first single "Cavalier." His voice is equally haunting and uplifting and his lyrics are incredibly poetic. JVM is a prolific voice and given the right opportunity and the right exposure could find himself as big and as popular as artists like Passenger and Gotye.

#reviewoftheweek / Sara Bareilles - The Blessed Unrest

Sara Bareilles' latest album is perhaps the biggest surprise nominee for Grammy's Album Of The Year, but that doesn't mean it's not deserving of the award. The first single from the album, "Brave," was everywhere on radio during 2013, but as the nomination proves, is not the only standout track from the released. Sara Bareilles has made a pretty big name for herself and has not had such a large pop hit since the released of her debut single "Love Song" in 2007. So, 6 years later Bareilles is finally getting her day in the sun, showcasing how she can put together a full collection of music just as potent and powerful as her hit singles. This album will solidify her place as on of the best and most credible female singer/songwriters of this generation.