#reviewoftheweek / The Bamboos - Fever In The Road

Australian funk outfit, The Bamboos, have just released their newest album stateside, and this should have everyone stopping to pay attention (if they haven't been already for some years). Funk is not something that is mainstream, but the party feel of the music on this disc showcases just how much fun it is and how much pop music actually owes to this genre. Sure, a lot of it is just instrumental music, but when you add some lyrics and a soulful songstress it changes the game. The album's lead single is "Avenger" and this showcases just that theory. The fun live energy of the band comes right out of the speakers and transports the listener to a whole new level of musical entertainment. Other standouts include "Your Lovin' Is Easy" and "Rats." This is truly a masterpiece and is going enlighten a whole new group of fans like never before.

BURN THIS / May 2014

1. Mat McHugh "More Money"
2. Ozomatli (featuring Dave Stewart) "Brighter"
3. Rebelution "De-Stress"
4. Matisyahu "Watch The Walls Melt Down"
5. The Revivalists "Criminal"
6. John Butler Trio "Blame It On Me"
7. Current Swell "Rollin'"
8. Sam Roberts Band "Human Heat"
9. Reuben And The Dark "Rolling Stone"
10. Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes "Sun Goes Out"
11. Kina Grannis "The Fire"
12. Dan Wilson "A Song Can Be About Anything"
13. Matt Hires "Heartache Machine"
14. Eric Hutchinson "Forever"
15. Augustana "Love In The Air"
16. Dave Barnes "Good"
17. Needtobreathe "Difference Maker"
18. The Belle Brigade "Metropolis"
19. Ray LaMontagne "Airwaves"
20. Ben & Ellen Harper "Learn It Again Tomorrow"

#reviewoftheweek / G. Love & Special Sauce - Sugar

After making music for 20 years, you'd think a band would still struggle to keep it fresh and new. Well, when keeping it fresh and new means bringing back the old and familiar, G. Love & Special Sauce have done it right. Returning to their original lineup, the band has crafted new material that could have been released on any of the band's albums over the past 20 years. "Nothing Else Quite Like Home" is a funky blues rocker which features a little help from Ben Harper. "Come Up Man" is a throwback and a great way to kick off the album and the closer, "Bad Girl Baby Blues," featured G. Love on his guitar all by himself showcasing the core of what makes his music awesome. Other standouts include "Too Much Month" and "Windshield Wipers." With interesting collaborations, jazzy bass guitar, and funk and blues permeating through the entire disc, G. Love and his cohorts have made one of the years best albums so far.

#reviewoftheweek / Jessica Lea Mayfield - Make My Head Sing...

This album is an incredible departure from the country twang and folk of her previous two albums. The last album, having been produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach showcased what JLM was capable of when venturing more into the indie folk and alternative rock side of things, but no one could have predicted that she was capable of this album. The initial sound of the album is that of a mid-nineties college rock band, and draws comparisons to the likes of PJ Harvey and early Liz Phair. That's probably what Mayfield was going for and surely where much of the influence for this album came from. The sound is updated, however, still reminding us of the songwriter that she is, with storytelling and lyrically driven songs. Minimalism and a folk approach has been taken within each composition and the standouts are "Standing In The Sun," "Party Drugs," and "Oblivious." The album's highlight is it's debut single, "I Wanna Love You," which is will transport you back twenty years when alternative and indie rock was just a seedling in the music world. JLM has surely upped her game with this one and proven that you can't pigeonhole creativity.

#reviewoftheweek / The Glitch Mob - Love Death Immortality

Electronic music is at the forefront of popular music these days and the EDM moniker is getting thrown around to describe any music that has electronic qualities these days. However, The Glitch Mob have done it right on their latest album and created a sound that is more rooted in rock and traditional electronic music similar to the 90's sounds that make the style so accessible. "Can't Kill Us" is a badass tune that could fit well on any action movie soundtrack and has already popped up on at least one movie trailer. The album's standout track is "Beauty Of The Unhidden Heart" which is lyrically driven and showcases their more mellow side. "Carry The Sun," "Skytoucher," and "Becoming Harmonious" are all excellent tracks as well showing of different facets of their sound. This music will wow fans of every genre of music from the psychedelic sounds of jam rock to the dancefloor drops of EDM. The Glitch Mob have proven that electronic music is no gimmick and when done right the results are mind blowing.

#reviewoftheweek / Kongos - Lunatic

Alternative rock music can be very monotonous and it's always nice when a band comes along to shake things up. Kongos is just that injection that alt-rock radio needs to freshen its sound and entice listeners to believe in the state of music. The most unorthodox thing about the band is that they have an accordion player! That's right, just as DMB shook things up in the mid-nineties by coming onto the scene with a violin player, Kongos is showcasing that music and sound are more interesting when you are doing things differently. "Come With Me Now" is all over the airwaves, and rightfully so, due to the fact that it is incredibly catchy and well-written and an all around great rock tune. Other highlights on the album include "I'm Only Joking" and "Escape." These guys and this album have already blow up huge in the UK and they have proven that they have what it takes to be huge. Now the US can and should embrace this band, album, and creative sound.

#reviewoftheweek / St. Paul And The Broken Bones - Half The City

Throwback music is the way to go these days, but it's hard not to be gimmicky or clichéd. St. Paul And The Broken Bones are the real deal and are going to most likely reap the benefits of their sound and style much like Alabama Shakes did before. "Call Me," the album's first single, is sure to be the breakout hit of the year. It's equal parts old soul and indie rock and is sure to wow the ears of listeners from hipsters to hippies, and translate incredibly well to the live stage, and rightfully so at these guys are sure to blow up this summer once fans get a taste of the live show. The title track is also a standout, but any of the songs are sure to draw you in and hook you. It's refreshing to hear a band that is taking a classic sound and making it new again, and straying away from the normalcy of the current pop and rock scenes. Big things are on the horizon for this band and this album is just the catalyst to start it all.

BURN THIS / April 2014

1. Ray LaMontagne "Supernova"
2. The Revivalists "Navigate Below"
3. Augustana "Ash And Ember"
4. Phillip Phillips "Raging Fire"
5. Current Swell "Keys To The Kingdom"
6. John Butler Trio "Livin' In The City"
7. Galactic (featuring JJ Grey) "Higher And Higher"
8. St. Paul And The Broken Bones "Call Me"
9. Paolo Nutini "Scream (Funk My Life Up)"
10. Dave Barnes "Twenty Three"
11. Eric Hutchinson "A Little More"
12. Elizabeth & The Catapult "Shoelaces"
13. Jessica Lea Mayfield "I Wanna Love You"
14. Priscilla Ahn "Diana"
15. Justin Nozuka "Right By You"
16. James Vincent McMorrow "Red Dust"
17. The Belle Brigade "Likely To Use Something"
18. The Avett Brothers "Morning Song"
19. Luther Dickinson "Blood 'n Guts"
20. moe. "Blond Hair And Blue Eyes"

#reviewoftheweek / The Revivalists - City Of Sound

Being an album that was originally released almost 2 years ago, the fact that it is gracing the ears of the masses only now, proves that The Revivalists are way ahead of the curve. This new rock album from the New Orleans natives straddles the line between so many genres it's hard to place the sound in just one. The entire album feels like is rooted in Americana, funk, and blues while having a jam rock quality that whets the appetite for experience the music live. Fortunately this reissue of the album features a second disc of live tracks that does just that (without having to actually get to show). "When I'm Able" leads off the disc and immediately draws you in. It's a fine introduction to the band and the sound, but acts almost as a gateway drug for the sounds that follow. Some are going to draw comparisons to bands like DMB and O.A.R., but the Revivalists will stand on their own, showcasing that their sound may cater to the same fans, but is in no way the same sound. Other tracks like "Navigate Below" and "Upright" are sure to entice music lovers to actually become Revivalists fans. Some might think that a reissue of old music an easy way to break down walls, but it really just shows that music professionals and fans alike really just missed the boat on a great thing years ago. It's a good thing this band and this album isn't going unnoticed and unappreciated and finally getting the recognition and exposure that is deserved.

#reviewoftheweek / Karl Denson's Tiny Universe - New Ammo

KDTU are back and delivering potentially their best release to date. Karl Denson has released music with many backing bands, but it's this incarnation of his Tiny Universe that seems to deliver the best yet. Starting off, they have the uncanny ability to present new takes on great songs, and on this album they take on three great alternative songs. Their renditions of the Beastie Boys' "Sure Shot," the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," and the Cold War Kids' "Hang Me Up To Dry" showcase how much of a party bad they are, while also solidifying themselves as great musicians at the same time. The album rocks from beginning to end just like a live show and has danceable moments throughout. Styles from funk to reggae are represented throughout the collection and are highlighted on tracks like "Three Trials Of Strength" and the title track. The hands down stand out on the album is the jam rock and blues influenced track "My Baby" which features vocals by Denson and Nicki Bluhm. These songs will surely translate well to the live stage, but if you can't make it out to a show, pumping these jams out of your stereo will surely transport you there in spirit.