New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Kris Allen - Thank You Camellia
• Sara Bareilles - Once Upon Another Time
• Robert Francis - Strangers In The First Place
• JBM - Stray Ashes
• John Mayer - Born And Raised
• Jon McLaughlin - Promising Promises
• Ryan Monroe - A Painting Of A Painting On Fire
• Jason Reeves - Songs Are Silent Films

CD REVIEW: Kris Allen "Kris Allen"

Sometimes the people get it right, and when they selected Kris Allen as the winner (over Adam Lambert) of American Idol season 8 they chose the better musician. Kris Allen is the perfect image of what it means to be a musician plucked out of nowhere and thrown into the public eye. Not that it isn't deserved, but it was more whirlwind than many singer/songwriters rise to popularity. Regardless, his debut album is pretty darn good. It features a majority of songs that were either written or co-written by Allen himself, which is not something that most Idol winners can say (at least not on their debut). "Red Guitar" is the album's hands down best song, and consequently was written solely by Allen with no co-authors. He fits right into the same vein as other popular singer/songwriters like John Mayer, Howie Day, and Graham Colton. Allen has been around and did record music before now, but he finally was given his shot and proved that someone should have taken a chance on him long ago. Many Idol winners fade from the spotlight, and despite that, Allen will have a fruitful career on the heels of his debut, and he may surprise everyone by just sticking it out for the long haul.

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.)"

New Release Tuesday

New music out today that is worth checking out:

• Kris Allen - Kris Allen
• Rachael Cantu - Far And Wide
• Norah Jones - The Fall
• John Mayer - Battle Studies
• OneRepublic - Waking Up
• Jason Reeves - Patience For The Waiting