Nashville singer/songwriters Tim Williams and Jacob Jones have joined forces and combined their talents to create the Depression State Troopers. The name is a colorful play on words, but the music is so much more. Despite the use of the word depression in their name, it seems as though the entire album sets out to fight the obvious and become so much more than a negatively emotional album. The music is whimsical at times and not always soft, indie, and strummy. "Take My Hair" and "Blood In My Veins" are the most familiar sounding songs, displaying the duos most accessible and singable lyrics. Some of the best songs are the short little numbers that are dispersed throughout, especially "Marie." When accomplished musicians set out to do something different, many times it just ends up being a carbon copy of their previous work. Jones and Williams have developed a whole new sound with the Depression State Troopers, and even though you hear their individual styles within, the combination of the two is so much more than you'd expect.
Jesse Harris is one of the most underappreciated and talented musicians around. The fact that he was courageous enough to release two brand new albums in the span of a few weeks shows that he's not afraid to be himself and make music on his own terms. That being said, the second of the two new releases is a completely instrumental album that leaves no where for Harris to hide. He has put his heart and soul down to tape more than ever before, and allowed his musical talents as a performer and an arranger to be showcased as the main focus of the music, rather than the backdrop for his incredible lyrics. Sure, he did win a Grammy for his lyrics, but it's the music that he creates to go along with those lyrics that sometimes gets left in the dust. This time Harris brings the listener more into his world than ever, and should be commended for doing it in such a way that not only shows his talents as a jazz musician, but celebrates them in every way possible.
A weary, smoky, and scratchy voice is what you hear in each an every note that Graham Isaacson sings. He is not broken or lost. In fact, he is just the opposite. He sings with emotion and vigor and his deep dark voice is the backbone of some intense songs, that sometimes don't even have intense subject matter. On his latest EP he continues to amaze and mix it up with instrumentation and arrangements that don't always match his Johnny Cash vocal vibe. "Shot Me At Sunrise" is his closest thing to a Cash song, and the EP's significant standout. "Hot Lovin' Lady" "Angel Underneath" are also excellent tracks. Isaacson is a unique soul and an individual that makes music at his own pace, on his own terms, and in his own way. His music comes from an honest place and is delivered with the same honesty. His latest EP proves that he is a singer not to be overlooked.
After an incredibly long hiatus from creating new music, UK techno act Underworld have returned with a stunning new album. This album feels almost like a throwback to the early days of Underworld's career and if you close your eyes you get the sense you are right in the middle of a UK dance club or an Underworld live performance. Each track is as hard hitting as the next, except for the beautifully written and performed final song, "Louisiana." "Louisiana" is a riveting slow and ambient track that is as magical as it is mind blowing. "Bird 1," "Always Loved A Film," and "Scribble" all take your mind and body over with their incredible beats and lyrics and catapult you into a collection of songs that is more of an experience than just an album. Underworld is a product of the 90's techno scene and they have retained their magic and reminded us just how awesome their sound is with their newest release.
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