Follow THISisMODERN.net on Twitter & 365 days of CD reviews!

It's 2010, a new decade, and THISisMODERN.net has entered the tweeting world. Follow THISisMODERN.net on twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/thisismodern! By following THISisMODERN.net on twitter you will be the first to know about all the updates on the website, as well as other possible goodies! Also, this year THISisMODERN.net is celebrating 10 years of existance by reviewing a CD a day, every day for 365 days in 2010. That's more CD reviews than have been posted in total during the first 9 years!

CD REVIEW: Monsters Of Folk "Monsters Of Folk"

Supergroups are always fun. It's even better when each of the parts on its own is outstanding. The folk, country, rock, soul foursome that is Monsters Of Folk delivers an outstanding debut album of fifteen songs that are a mix of each of the group members' individual takes on music. Born out of a live tour, the band, which features M. Ward, Jim James (of My Morning Jacket), and Conor Oberst & Mike Mogis (of Bright Eyes), mixes together the cohesive harmonies of CSNY with the modern twist of 90's and 00's folk rock music. Each band member sounds so similar while singing, sometimes you never actually know who is on the mic. They gave the first single, "Say Please," away for free, quite possibly because of the entire album it's the most straightforward and simple song. The leadoff track, "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)" is possible the best track on the entire album, simply because it's a complete departure from the folksy sounds of the rest of the disc. Mogis (who has produced albums for Bright Eyes & Pete Yorn) shared production duties on this album with the other three members of the band, which allowed for easy mixing of techniques and styles amongst the group. All in all, this supergroup may become a permanent thing, and the boys in the band have created such a successful endeavour with this album, they are sure to have to share time with their respective personal musical commitments in order to keep this thing alive. This is not the last we've heard from Monsters Of Folk.

BURN THIS / January 2010

1. Samantha Stollenwerck "Oblivious"
2. John Butler Trio "One Way Road"
3. The Beautiful Girls "Don't Wait"
4. State Radio "Calling All Crows"
5. Passafire "Here In Front Of Me"
6. Trevor Hall "Volume"
7. Mike Doughty "Pleasure On Credit"
8. Bob Schneider "Tarantula"
9. Carbon Leaf "Mexico"
10. Still Time "Old Soul"
11. Rob Drabkin "Little Steps"
12. Jon And Roy "Another Noon"
13. Barefoot Truth "Damage Done"
14. Piers Faccini "A Storm Is Going To Come"
15. Angus & Julia Stone "And The Boys"
16. Kings Of Convenience "Boat Behind"
17. Ben Howard "Cloud Nine"
18. Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard "California Zephyr"
19. Coconut Records "The Summer"
20. The Drums "Let's Go Surfing"

CD REVIEW: John Mayer "Battle Studies"

John Mayer has grown up. Not that he was immature, but his previous albums had a bit of youthful angst and energy. He has shown that he is a superior pop songsmith, he has proven that he is a guitar hero, showcased that he's got the blues, and he's got a handul of Grammy awards to support all of those claims. On his latest album, the first of which isn't part of his self proclaimed "trilogy," he proves that simplicity is just as awesome as being in your face. He covers a Robert Johnson classic, made famous buy friend and guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton, to remind everyone that he shtill has what it takes to jam. He lets loose with his acoustic on the first single "Who Says," bringing mellow back to his arsenal in a style not heard from since his first independent release "Inside Wants Out." Love is a central theme in all of the music with two instant classics leading the way: "Heartbreak Warfare" and "Half Of My Heart" which features a guest vocal by Taylor Swift. Each song is a perfect addition to John's catalogue and the album as a whole is well written and performed. There isn't any heavy production, not a lot of musicians, and John co-produced it all with drummer Steve Jordan. John Mayer has a lot up his sleeves, but this time he isn't hiding anything.

THE 30 BEST ALBUMS OF 2009

1. Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King
2. Mason Jennings - Blood Of Man
3. Trevor Hall - Trevor Hall
4. Angus & Julia Stone - A Book Like This
5. Ben Harper & Relentless7 - White Lies For Dark Times
6. Matt Hires - Take Us To The Start
7. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You
8. John Mayer - Battle Studies
9. State Radio - Let It Go
10. Monsters Of Folk - Monsters Of Folk
11. Phish - Joy
12. Passion Pit - Manners
13. Paper Route - Absence
14. Mat McHugh - Seperatista!
15. Sean Bones - Rings
16. Will Hoge - The Wreckage
17. Mat Kearney - City Of Black & White
18. Pete Yorn - Back & Forth
19. Crosby Loggins - Time To Move
20. Carbon Leaf - Nothing Rhymes With Woman
21. The Fray - The Fray
22. Zee Avi - Zee Avi
23. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
24. Ben Kweller - Changing Horses
25. Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers - The Bear
26. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
27. Gregory Alan Isakov - This Empty Northern Hemisphere
28. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South
29. Tegan & Sara - Sainthood
30. Norah Jones - The Fall

All of these albums can be purchased by clicking here.
If you are interested in seeing what albums make the top 30 in previous years click here for the archive. To purchase albums on previous top 30 lists click here.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From all of us to all of you, wishing your the happiest holiday ever!

Stay tuned...

THISisMODERN.net is taking a break for the holidays. Stay tuned for this year's top albums list for 2009 to be posted on the last day of the year, New Year's Eve. Beginning in the new year, THISisMODERN.net is taking on a huge endeavor. A new album review will be posted every day for the entire year, making that 365 albums reviewed in 2010, more albums than have been reviewed on each incarnation of the site since it's beginning in 2000. Next year celebrates 10 years of THISisMODERN.net and it is only fitting that such an undertaking be completed in 2010. So have a great holiday season and rock on!

New Release Tuesday

New music out today that is worth checking out:

• Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This Live 2
• Pete Kilpatrick Band - Shapes & Sounds

NEW TUNES: Vanguard Records - Holiday Sampler 2009

Vanguard Records has put together a collection of tunes by a handful of great artists and they are giving it to you for free this Holiday Season. Just click here to download a bunch of great songs by Brett Dennen, Brandi Carlile, Needtobreathe, Josh Ritter, Joshua Radin, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, Greg Laswell, Meiko, and more. Happy holidays and enjoy!

BURN THIS / December 2009

1. Mike Doughty "(You Should Be) Doubly (Gratified)
2. Tim Williams "I Hit Another Wall"
3. Elizabeth & The Catapult "Race You"
4. Akiva "I Keep Calling You"
5. Marie Moreshead (featuring Pete Kilpatrick) "Hello There"
6. Bleu "Come 'N Go"
7. Kris Allen "Red Guitar"
8. Mat Kearney "All I Have"
9. Whitley "Head, First, Down"
10. Chris Velan "A Year Can Change A Lot"
11. Newton Faulkner "If This Is It"
12. Kings Of Convenience "Mrs. Cold"
13. Ben Howard "The Wolves"
14. Jon And Roy "Little Bit Of Love"
15. The Avett Brothers "Kick Drum Heart"
16. The Elms "Long Gone"
17. Will Hoge "Favorite Waste Of Time"
18. Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons "Angel Of Mine"
19. Charlie Mars "Meet Me By The Backdoor"
20. Monsters Of Folk "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)"