CD REVIEW: Jones Street Station "In Verses"

One of the finest indie rock albums to come out in recent years, this sleeper by Jones Street Station is not to be passed up. Just as bands like Dawes, Bon Iver, The Avett Brothers, and Fleet Foxes have been able to do in recent months, this band's down to Earth simple approach to song crafting is what defines them and makes their debut album excellent. There is no question that songs like "Evergreen" and "Slow Lights" can hold their own against anything that is making critical waves in the indie world these days. Their harmonies are awesome. The instrumentation is first class. And, the delivery of the album is seamless. This is surely the beginning of a fruitful career for Jones Street Station, as long as they keep cranking out gems like this.

CD REVIEW: Courtney Jaye "The Exotic Sounds Of Courtney Jaye"

Going it on her own on her second album, Courtney Jaye has managed to create one of the best and most creative albums in years, and an effort that is better than her incredible debut. Jaye has managed to mix a tropical vibe with a Nashville country sound that is in a league all its own, which she released completely independently. Her songwriting is out of control and she is proving to be one of the brightest female singer/songwriters in recent years. "I Need Love," the album's first track, starts things of right showcasing this new and unique style. The album is heavy on the acoustic guitar, with hints of ukulele, slack key, and slide guitar throughout. The album's standout track is "Sweet Ride," Jaye's own take on the traditional love song. She truly has a talent that is all her own, and shines on tracks like "Tiger's Eye," which prior to the album release was already receiving critical praise, and "Sometimes Always," which features a guest vocal appearance by Band Of Horses lead singer Ben Bridwell. The album is bright, feel good, and full of sunshine and happy energy. Courtney Jaye may have managed to find a place in the music world that she will be able to fill with her own style of positive energy for many years to come.

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.

CD REVIEW: Joe Pug "Messenger"

It is a bold statement to say that Joe Pug could be this generation's Bob Dylan, but after one listen to his debut full length album it is evident. He combines the elements of simple folk songwriting with raspy delivery and a bit of indie rock edge to showcase his originality, yet still remain within a familiar sound. The album's title track and lead single is a radio hit in the making, but not in the sense that everyone will be singing it and it will be in heavy rotation at pop radio. It's a hit in that it is timeless and could have been released in the 90's, the 70's or even the 60's and gained the same type of critical praise that it deserves. One of the most fantastic songs on the album is the closer, "Speak Plainly, Diana." It's a song that he decided to rev up and rerecord the song (it appeared as an acoustic track on his EP "Nation Of Heat") turning his incredible lyrics into a memorable folk rocker. The fact that Joe Pug is bold enough and talented enough to release this type of music and this album at a time when the music industry is struggling proves that his music is in a league of its own.

CD REVIEW: Andrew Belle "The Ladder"

Andrew Belle is one of the brightest young talents in the independent music world these days. He has managed to deliver a debut full length album that is just as good as anything backed by a major label. He has already managed to get his music placed throughout popular television shows, which if previous successes are of any value (i.e. The Fray, Mat Kearney) then he should reap the benefits greatly. That all being said, Andrew Belle has delivered some of the finest compositions from any singer/songwriter. His duet with Katie Herzig, "Static Waves," is a fun, poppy tune that shows off his awesome songwriting and his catchy vocals. "Don't Blame Yourself" and "Add It Up" are also incredibly written and performed and definitely two of the best on the disc. With this album, Andrew Belle is sure to make waves and it won't be before long that he is as successful as the aforementioned artists.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today that is worth checking out:

• Andrew Belle - The Ladder

CD REVIEW: Bearquarium "Bearquarium"

From jazz to funk to rock to soul, Bearquarium has managed to master each on their self titled album. This virtually unknown band has managed to harness the energy of their live shows and bottle it up in the studio, serving it to us as a seemingly never ending display of fun. Each of the eight tracks on this album has twists and turns keeping you pumped up to listen and mesmerized by their groove. It is a pretty equal mix of lyrical and instrumental songs The vocals stylings of the band's singer Justin Panigutti and female guest vocalist Lauren Dabkowski add another excellent layer to the mix, and the vocals and lyrics don't take away from what the rest of the band has going on. In fact, they are an intricate part where they appear, almost acting an an instrument themselves. The bottom line is that Bearquarium are a bright shining star in a sea of monotonous music. Although their style of music may not be quite what the mass populous is looking for, anyone who wants a departure from their everyday should get into this album.

CD REVIEW: Peter Bradley Adams "Traces"

There's mellow, and then there's the style of mellow that Peter Bradley Adams has mastered. This, his third solo album, is by far his most mellow to date. Each song on the album has incredible lyrical content delivered in a beautiful way through Adams' musical excellence. "For You" is an incredible composition, and one of Adams' finest songs. The entire album has an ambient quality, and relies heavily on a sound that is wispy and airy, emphasizing each song's lyrics. His voice is captivating and he truly is an artist who has mastered his craft. This album definitely showcases how PBA is such an incredible yet under appreciated talent.

CD REVIEW: Army Of Me "Make Yourself Naked" EP

After a successful debut album, Army Of Me are back with a new EP of songs that are incredibly different from their first album. The difference is that this EP plays and sounds more like a demo for their next album than a fully produced and realized collection of music. That being said, it is nice to hear an alternative rock band in their purest stripped down form. In a way, it is as if they are unplugged. "On My Way" sounds more like a singer/songwriter performance than that of a full band and remarkably is as outstanding as the standout tracks from their debut album. A more indie rock sound is showcased on "Lost At Sea," which is possibly the best of the five tracks. Some of these songs may get the full treatment in the future and appear on the next full blown studio album by Army Of Me. For now, it's great to hear what these guys are working on and know that they are turning out quality music, even without all the bells and whistles.

CD REVIEW: Rachael Cantu "Far And Wide"

Rachael Cantu is a lot like Tegan and Sara were when they were first starting out. Her music is mellow and features clever arrangements and lyricism, yet still highly organic. She doesn't not rely on heavy production, and is highlighted by the fact that her music is so down to Earth. The sound of the album is typical indie rock, with twists and turns thrown in for good measure. The first track on the album, and possibly the best, is "Devil's Tunder" which has an almost gospel feel to it. The closing track, another standout, "Little Ocean Town" dials the music back all the way to showcasing her vocals and her guitar. Cantu is a gem in the music world, and it's a shame that she is not more widely known. With this album, which features a guest vocal appearance from Tegan Quin, she is sure to begin the climb to indie rock stardom as her friends, the Quin sisters, already have.