New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Chamberlin - Look What I've Become
• Sondre Lerche - Bootlegs
• Matchbox Twenty - North
• Stars - The North

CD REVIEW: Chamberlin "Cabin Covers EP"

When bands release cover songs they can be one of two things: karaoke copycat versions or total reinventions. Chamberlin has reinvented a small handful of tunes that have recently graced the airwaves of alternative and indie rock radio. Covering fresh new material is always a challenge, but it's also refreshing to hear a different take on catchy music that is still floating around in your head. The coolest is the interpretation of Kanye West's "Lost In The World" which takes a rock band covering hip hop in a different direction. Now, Kanye sung much of that tracks, but Chamberlin adds a bit of spookiness that is similar to Bon Iver (which coincidentally cowrote and sung on Kanye's track). Foster The People's gigantic hit "Pumped Up Kicks" gets a new spin with Chamerlin's signature style, and sounds nothing like the original, but still maintains it's slick catchy nature. Cults, Vampire Weekend, and Passion Pit songs also get a fresh coat of Chamberlin paint. This EP is a steller, yet short, collection of cover songs that are so well performed that they could easily be mistaken for Chamberlin originals.

CD REVIEW: Chamberlin "Bitter Blood"

Where indie rock and southern rock meet, you will usually find My Morning Jacket. Well, Chamberlin and their debut album have joined MMJ on that streetcorner and are staking their claim at this underapprecaited and unique genre. MMJ has always been known as the Radiohead of southern rock and Chamberlain takes its cures from both bands while also adding their unique blues driven rock element to the mix. The song "Dust" is classic indie rock, with sweeping vocals, big blues guitar, and an ambient quality that makes the song magical. The most intriguing and funkiest of the mix is "Paper Crown" which highlights the excellent production of the album, the best of the band's indie rock, and funky vocals that rival both Prince and Jim James. Chamberlin are one of the most talented new bands to hit the scene, and have the chops to create huge success by reaching out to fans of a variety of styles of music.

BURN THIS / March 2011

1. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors "Fire & Dynamite"
2. Augustana "Steal Your Heart"
3. Bob Schneider "Let The Light In"
4. Chamberlin "Dust"
5. James Vincent McMorrow "This Old Dark Machine"
6. Fistful Of Mercy "Fistful Of Mercy"
7. Jones Street Station "The Understanding"
8. Middle Brother "Me, Me, Me"
9. North Mississippi Allstars "This A'Way"
10. Will Conner (featuring J.J. Grey) "That's All Right Mama"
11. John Craigie "Mama Nashville"
12. Bobby Long "Penance Fire Blues"
13. Amos Lee "Out Of The Cold"
14. Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs "God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise"
15. The Low Anthem "Ghost Woman Blues"
16. Nathaniel Rateliff "Early Spring Till"
17. Gregory Alan Isakov "Big Black Car"
18. The Pines "Lonesome Tremolo Blues"
19. Haroula Rose "Duluth"
20. Mason Jennings "So Many Ways To Die"

Listen live to the entire playlist in the music player in the right sidebar all month long during March.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Chamberlin - Bitter Blood
• Ari Hest - Sunset Over Hope Street
• Pat McGee - No Wrong Way To Make It Right
• Middle Brother - Middle Brother
• John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours - John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours