CD REVIEW: Eric Krasno "Reminisce"

Solo albums are a tricky thing to undertake as a side project. When you are one third of an acid jazz band, separating your solo music from the music you create with your band can be difficult, particularly if the music is purely instrumental . Eric Krasno makes excellent use of his solo platform to showcase his guitar playing skills and moves slightly to the left of acid jazz adding a bit of rock and blues into the mix. His instrumental version of the Beatles' "Get Back" is one of the best Beatles covers that has ever been recorded, with or without vocals, and it features some excellent saxophone parts from Ryan Zoidis (Rustic Overtones, Lettuce). Krasno also shows off his rock chops on "Manic Depression," a Jimi Hendrix cover that features guest vocals performed by Nigel Hall. Krasno's entire solo album reads much like his work with Soulive, but it's rooted by Kranso's guitar and all other parts take a welcome back seat. Eric Krasno may just have proven that he's got what it takes to rub shoulders with all the other guitar greats.

CD REVIEW: Tyler Hilton "Ladies & Gentlemen"

Tyler Hilton's new EP is just a tease. A tease, that is, for his new album which is set to release sometime later this year. For now, he is giving us five tracks to whet our appetites and remind us why we fell in love with his style of pop rock on his debut album. He has been, however, not fully focused on his music as he has been acting on television in addition to writing music and playing shows. This EP is excellent and "Sunset Blvd." is a gem, showing off just where Tyler is and has been since he last graced us with a new album. His style of pop rock is very rootsy and raw, and does not fit into the same cookie cutter format as much of the pop rock we here on the radio these days. This EP leaves his fans salivating for more new tunes, and if this is any indication, his new album will be as good, if not better, than his last.

CD REVIEW: Bag Of Toys "Stripped Alive"

Bag Of Toys is one of the most fun bands on the west coast. They have a serious ability to get a crowd going with their feel good surf songs that transport you right to the beach, around the bonfire, or on the waves. Their latest, intended to treat their fans until the next studio release, is a live album that has them performing their best songs in their most organic, stripped down, acoustic form. These recordings showcase the true nature of each of their best tunes, and not a single great song is left out of the mix. Acoustic versions of "Share," "More Sex Than Me," and "California" all make an appearance, and their versions of "Ooh La La" and "Surf Song" only make the listener appreciate these songs much more than their studio debut. Bag Of Toys truly is an excellent group and have proven with this release that music, at its core, is about having fun, loving what you do, and connecting with your fans.

CD REVIEW: Justin Nozuka "You I Wind Land And Sea"

A lot of people took notice to Justin Nozuka's debut album, which found him right along side superstars on music television and on the radio. However, the album as a whole was just an introduction to Justin Nozuka and was more of a compilation showcasing his many talents. Granted, he had a few great songs on the album, but it's his sophomore effort that will solidify his place along side the greats. You are looking at the next John Mayer here. He is way more soulful than Mayer, but his lyrics and musicality is right there. Nozuka has put together an album of songs that show off his true nature as a musician, much more so than his excellent debut album did. The title track is a definite display of this, with his great guitar skills being show off. The two album singles, "Woman Put Your Weapon Down" and "My Heart Is Yours," were released prior to the album being available, and they did a great job showing off the best features of Nozuka new music. Both songs will surely take a place as two Nozuka's greatest of what is going to be a long and fruitful career, and this album is going to be a tough one to top.

CD REVIEW: Broken Bells "Broken Bells"

This is not really a supergroup, although the two brains behind the band come from two incredibly distinctive musical entities. Broken Bells is James Mercer, lead singer of the indie rock band The Shins, and Brian Burton AKA Danger Mouse, a seriously sick musician, member of Gnarls Barkley, and producer of hit albums by Beck, The Black Keys, and Gorillaz. That being said, the expectations are set pretty high for their debut collaborative album, and they've met and exceeded them. The first single "The High Road" is tearing up radio all over the country and sounds like a mix between The Shins and 80's synth rock. Other excellent tracks are "Vaporize" and "The Ghost Inside." Some of the album is reminiscent of mid-90's Beck, which is strange because Danger Mouse didn't work with Beck until recently. The entire album is inventive and these two have really formed a bond that will last for quite a while. The success of this album and their new band may actually have Broken Bells turning into their new day job, with their original project taking a back seat. Considering they began work on this project several years ago, their ideas, sounds, and lyrics are very current. It's really is nice to hear when a plan comes together.

New Release Tuesday

New releases out today worth checking out:

• Alpha Rev - New Morning
• Dirty Heads - Any Port In A Storm: Special Edition
• Eric Krasno - Reminisce
• Luce - The Year We'll Have
• Something Corporate - Played In Space: The Best Of Something Corporate
• Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights - Pardon Me

CD REVIEW: Latch Key Kid "All Becomes One"

Latch Key Kid made a name for himself during a Super Bowl commercial with his song "Good Times" and now he's back with a new collection of tunes that are equally as good. He blends pure sun soaked California pop with a form of light power pop to create his own blend of signature music. Latch Key Kid, which was only a side project of Gavin Heaney of California indie folk band Slackstring, has turned into a full on musical venture. On this album he showcases his best stuff on songs like "Getaway," "This World Keeps Turning," and "Last Song." The song that most people will recognize, and is certainly a high point of the album, is "Good To Be" which has been heard all over television. After already having wowed music fans all over the world with music featured in several commercials, movies, and TV shows, this album is sure to put Latch Key Kid on the map as more than just a one hit wonder.

CD REVIEW: Crash Kings "Crash Kings"

Alternative rock can be stale, uninventive, and too familiar at times. Many times rock radio is dominated by artists that all sound the same, with songs that sound the same, and there seems to be no variety. Enter Crash Kings into the mix. The band has developed their sound to be nothing like you've ever heard on radio recently. They combine their intelligent lyrics, with a kind of 1970's era rock vibe, and piano driven instrumentation for a sound all their own. The album leads off with the single "Mountain Man," which right away hooks you and leaves you craving more. Other songs on the album show off the band;s ability to not only wow musically, but lyrically as well, such as "Come Away" and "Raincoat." The bottom line on all of this is that Crash Kings are a breath of fresh air in a radio world that has become sort of stagnant. Now that they're on the map, Crash Kings are poised to help take rock radio in a whole new and exciting direction.

CD REVIEW: Jon And Roy "Homes"

The Canadian folk rockers are back with their third album, and most musical album yet. Their previous album focused primarily on the delivery of simple acoustic pop and folk tunes that were full of life. This time the boys bring in some great backup talent to the mix, adding an excellent depth to their new tunes. The violin usage throughout the entire album reminds us that these guys are from the great white north, adding a subtle country style to their music. "Boon 'Elm," which they smartly decided to give away free before the release of the album, is best track on the album, and sums up the mood and sound of the entire album is just one song. "Cuban B" and "Any Day Now" are also excellent songs and show off their fun loving style as well and their great songwriting skills. Jon and Roy are bursting onto the scene in a big way, and this album, their most cohesive yet, is going to solidify them as superstars of the acoustic folk rock scene.

CD REVIEWS: Rob Blackledge "Inside These Walls"

Rob Blackledge is one of those musicians that put in the time but don't get the respect he deserves. He's been around for a while, but it wasn't until the release of this album that he has finally shown that he has what it takes to rub shoulders with the big guys. Blackledge pulls out all the stops on several of the songs, showcasing his musical abilities and lyricism. He mixes ballads with pop songs, all while showing off his mastery of the piano. "Should Have Known Better" and "Granola Girl" are two of his finest compositions. Kyle Riabko makes a guest appearance on the song "Sweet Sweet Lady," laying down some excellent guitar tracks. Blackledge may still have a ways to go before he's a household name, but he has proven that he deserves a shot in the big time with this one.