CD REVIEW: The Disco Biscuits "Planet Anthem"

This is an unusual turn for one of the inventors of the modern jam band movement. The Disco Biscuits have become a full force alternative electronic band. Still, their live elements are what define them. This, their newest studio album, the first since 2002, is a defining moment in the band's career. It is with this album that the Disco Biscuits have finally become accessible to the mass music consuming community. Some of their best, most listener friendly songs appear on this album. "On Time," the album's first single, is a techno rock song that you could hear everywhere from alternative rock radio to your local dance club. Fans of Phish will enjoy this album just as much as fans of Radiohead and Coldplay. Live electronic music seems to be gaining popularity lately with STS9 leading the way, and the Disco Biscuits have decided not to follow. Instead, with this album and songs like "You and I" and "Konkrete" the band has bent many genres into their own unique one, thus leading themselves down their own path. With a truly unique and inventive album, the Disco Biscuits have made themselves one of the this year's newest bands to watch.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today that is worth checking out:

• Chase Coy - Where The Road Parts
• The Disco Biscuits - Planet Anthem
• Flobots - Survival Story
• Follow The Train - Mercury
• The White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights

CD REVIEW: Switchfoot "Hello Hurricane"

Rock and roll comes in many shapes and sizes. Switchfoot's brand has been around for a while and never manages to disappoint. On Their newest album they stick to what they do well and what they are known for. Making positive rock music that is accessible, lyrically special, and musically awesome is the formula that Switchfoot has used time and time again and it somehow was able to create a whole new batch of songs that are going to add to their timeless catalogue. The album's first single, "Mess Of Me," is a modern and alternative rock gem. It's rare that bands are able to make albums and release singles that stand up for many years, but as is proof with their previous hits, many music fans will be singing along to "Mess Of Me" for many years to come. "Needle And Haystack Life" and "Your Love Is A Song" are also demonstrations of this same magic. Switchfoot are a great band that makes great music and it seems there is not an end in sight for their continued success.

CD REVIEW: Colin Giles "Colin Giles EP"

Colin Giles is a great up-and-coming independent musician that loves to perform reggae music like it was meant to be performed: raw and dirty. He is also one of the smartest independent musicians around, giving his newest EP away completely free, with no strings attached. That is a great marketing tool. What makes it even sweeter is that the music on the EP is actually worth paying for. The 4 songs on this release run the entire range of Giles' abilities, even showcasing one of his classic songs from his debut album. That song, "Go Get It," could easily find its way onto radio, showing off its unique sound, Giles' incredibly cool delivery, and some classic indie instrumentation. His music is raw, but his sound is crisp and solid, with guest appearances on the disc including the great Beastie Boys keyboardist, Money Mark. Even though the EP is only 4 tracks long, it gives us a taste of what Colin Giles is all about as a musician. It's got his funky side, it's got his slow and heartfelt side, and it's got his love for reggae all rolled into one tiny tight little package. Giving away this music for free will virtually guarantee that he will rake it in when the right people get a listen. (Download this EP for free at http://www.colingiles.com)

CD REVIEW: Timmy Curran "Verses"

For surfers who are also musicians it may be tough to make it in the music industry. Sure a few have done it and succeeded, like Jack Johnson and Donavon Frankenreiter, but does that mean that any surfer with a guitar can do it? Well, if you are Timmy Curran the answer is yes! His first two releases definitely contained a few of his absolute best songs. This album, however, is the first of his releases to be incredible as a whole collection of songs. Each song flows from one to the other much like the waves that Curran rides, smooth and refreshing. His music isn't at all similar to the aforementioned musicians; it is in fact more of an indie rock vibe, something more like a mellow version of Rogue Wave. One main component of the awesome sound on the disc is the production which was taken on by Todd Hannigan, who we know from the scoring of many surf films. "Castle" and "Swim" join the ranks as two more classic Timmy Curran tracks and the new version of "If I Only Had A Way" included on this album shows off how a great song can still get better. Timmy Curran may be a surfer/musician but do not pigeonhole him into the stereotype. His music and his surfing go hand in hand but neither define the other, an on this album, Timmy Curran the musician shines across all twelve tracks.

CD REVIEW: Ben Harper & Relentless7 "Live From The Montreal International Jazz Festival"

Ben Harper is hands down one of the best live musicians in recent years. His energy and his performance standards are at the top of their game at all times, and his catalogue is so deep that his shows are always interesting and hardly repetitive. His recent endeavour with his new band Relentless7 is one of the most fascinating collaborations by a solo musician and a backing band. The entire disc is filled with R7 originals which Harper co-wrote with the other members of the band and they even throw in a few covers for good measure. Jimi Hendrix's "Red House" and "Under Pressure," originally performed by Queen and David Bowie, are the two incredible cover songs that both seem and sound original and pay deep respect of the original performances. Ben and the band are at their best during the heavier rockers like "Shimmer & Shine," "Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)," and "Number With No Name." Their funkier side comes out on "Lay There And Hate Me" and the guys show off on a Ben Harper original from his earlier years, "Another Lonely Day." To sum up the sound of the band's live performance, it's like taking the best of rock of the 70's, 80's, and 90's and mixing it up with Ben Harper's original, organic, and unique soulfulness and just letting it run wild. On their studio release it was evident that these boys had some major rock chops, but it's on this debut live release that they prove it.

CD REVIEW: Jon And Roy "Another Noon"

Folk duos are very popular. There have been many very famous duos that have released some very famous music. For Jon and Roy, it's not about that. It's about making simple, easy to listen to music. You are supposed to be transported to another place by music. These guys manage to transport you right to the beach, even if that beach happens to be on the cold Canadian coast and not the warm California coast. "Little Bit Of Love" is as simple as folk music gets, and the delivery of this simplicity is done in an incredibly creative and accessible way. The title track of this album is also quite good. For fans of Jack Johnson, Jon And Roy is the epitome of surfer music. The Canadians have mastered the formula of how to make a chilled out folk song and have put together an entire album in this style that is far from boring or redundant. Great things are on the horizon for this duo, and they may just yet find their way alongside Hall & Oates and Simon & Garfunkel as great duos in folk music history.

CD REVIEW: Josh Rouse "El Turista"

Josh Rouse keeps reinventing himself and tweaking his sound with each new album that he releases. This new album is partially a return to his "Subtitulo" sound from a few years ago and features some groovy mellow and sunny folk rock music. A small handful of songs on the album are actually sung completely in Spanish. Considering Rouse has been living in Spain as of recent, this is no surprise. Many of the songs have a very Mediterranean feel and some even contain elements of bossanova. The album's lead single "I Will Live On Islands" comes directly from the islands and combines Earthy island style world music with Rouses quirky delivery and lyrics. Some of the songs will become instant Josh Rouse classics. He continues to amaze with each and every turn of his musical journey. Rouse is an incredibly inventive musician and his latest proves that oceans, border lines, and genres provide no boundaries for his music.

CD REVIEW: JBM "Not Even In July"

Mellow indie folk has become a very "in" thing these days, so the airwaves can get pretty clogged with artists all doing the same type thing their own special way. What's great about JBM's new album is that it really isn't the same thing at all. His voice is very reminiscent of Jose Gonzalez and Alexi Murdoch and his vibe is right in the same vein as both, but his music hits more close to home. His music is a way for him to connect with the listen and draw them into his quaint world. Songs like "July On The Sound" and "Friends For Fireworks" are a little slice of life for JBM, even if both clock in at over five minutes. Even the six plus minute gem "From Me To You And You To Me" is a heartfelt composition that is certainly a highlight of the album. Fans of Damien Rice and Ray LaMontagne will be able to sink their teeth into this one, and JBM's indie folk, although wonderfully lengthy at times, is some of the best mellow rock this year.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today that is worth checking out:

• Broken Bells - Broken Bells
• Timmy Curran - Verses
• Ben Harper & Relentless7 - Live From The Montreal Insternational Jazz Festival
• Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
• Josh Rouse - El Turista