New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Boyce Avenue - All We Have Left
• Jonathan Clay - Everything She Wants
• Donavon Frankenreiter - Revisited
• Oasis - Time Flies... 1994-2009
• Zero 7 - Record

CD REVIEW: The Chemical Brothers "Further"

The Chemical Brothers are back in a big way with one of their most intriguing albums to date. Unlike many of their other albums, this disc does not contain a single radio friendly track, and that's an excellent thing. Comparisons can be drawn to some of the music contained in the band's albums "Exit Planet Dust" and "Surrender" and it all has a very summer night rave feel. The album intentionally flows from song to song just like a Chemical Brothers DJ set, making for a very powerful record. "Escape Velocity" and "Swoon" are both highlights of the set. Another change in the formula was the lack of big named vocal guests on the album. They opted to keep with the DJ vibe and utilize sparsely placed samples to keep the album from getting monotonous or overbearing. The Chemical Brothers always set out to amaze listeners and surprise with each beat and sample. This effort is no different and just showcases another facet of this super talented and immensely creative duo.

CD REVIEW: Chase Coy "Picturesque"

Chase Coy is one of those young singer/songwriters that people love to love or love to hate. The fact still remains that, despite his youth, he is an incredibly talented lyricist and musician. He may not be the next John Mayer, but he sure is following down the same path that Mayer once ventured down almost a decade ago. Coy has put together a new collection of music that speaks to music fans of all ages. Mostly talking about love and relationships (as with most male singer/songwriters) the songs on the album are interesting and radio friendly. The title track and "If The Moon Fell Down" (which features vocals by Colbie Caillat) are easy standouts in the mix, but every song on the album have their moments. Coy is a bright young star, and now that he is being unleashed on the masses, he is sure to rocket to stardom. He should do alright, considering he has the music chops to back up his pop appeal.

CD REVIEW: Delta Spirit "History From Below"

Not as upbeat and poppy as their debut album, Delta Spirit has returned with an incredible mature take on indie rock music. With success off their first album it came time to reproduce the kind of album that they had brought us the first time out, and what they did was go one step beyond. Instead of making a new collection of music that resembled the last, they set out to explore the avenues that they felt they needed to go down. The first treat off of the album is the widely popular song "Bushwick Blues" which matches their stellar lyricism with a little bit more rock than indie pop than some of their previous hits. Lyrical content takes center stage on many of their songs, as is the case in the excellent tracks "White Table" and "Golden State." The truth of the matter is that Delta Spirit has risen to the occasion and shown us that they are no fly-by-night act and that they can make really great albums featuring incredible songs. They get to the bare bones of their sound on this album and prove that true musicianship is the essence of a great recording.

CD REVIEW: Chase McBride "Wild Child"

Part two of Chase McBride's double release is an EP of songs that are a slight departure from his full length album "The Good Fight" while still utilizing his creativity and musicianship. This EP continues on the same path lyrically and musically as the previous album, with one twist, it was self produced and much more stripped down and organic. Without the aide of an established music producer, studio space, or high tech recording equipment, McBride harnesses the essence of who he is as a musician. His lyrics are personal and poetic and the music that accompanies them plays along like a simple soundtrack to his stories. "Gloria" and "Soul" are two of Chase's best compositions. The EP is about Chase connecting to the music and his surroundings, and he delivers some incredible tunes that sound as if they could have been written and record back in the 60's. Chase McBride is an awesome folk artist who knows the ins and outs of making a recording, writing poignant songs, and being true to who he is. "Wild Child" is a testament to McBride the musician, person, and friend, and is exactly the type of record that all folk artists should set out to create.

CD REVIEW: Chase McBride "The Good Fight"

Independent artists sometimes take on ambitious project, not only to prove that they are the real deal, but mostly because they have to release their buildup of creative energy. This latest full length album by Chase McBride is the first of a double release that is part of this ambitious endeavour. The entire album is filled with mellow folk rock that starts up right where his debut EP left off. Produced by Todd Hannigan, known for his own west coast style folk and surf film music, the album features a stunning collection of original tunes that are lyrically masterful and musically breathtaking. Song after song the progression takes you on a journey into the mind, soul, and views of Chase McBride, who has the unbelievable ability to connect to his listeners through lyrics that some seasoned veterans of the music world can't accomplish. The title track, "Daylight Come," and "Hold Me Up" are all incredible compositions that are both funky and mellow, showing off his unique approach at folk music. Fans of Dispatch, Trevor Hall, and even Jack Johnson will love this music without feeling like McBride is a copycat of any of their styles. With this release Chase McBride has begun to establish himself as part of the new breed of independent artists who do it their way, build a grassroots following, and truly show off what it means to be a musician.

CD REVIEW: Rooney "Eureka"

 Southern California is a mecca for great music and other than the Beach Boys, Rooney may be the only other band around whose music actually sounds like Southern California. This album is the first full length album that Rooney is releasing on their own since leaving their major label behind. The entire collection of music is full of upbeat music that transports you right to the beach. The band's signature power pop sound at times is reminiscent of Weezer or Phantom Planet. "I Can't Get Enough," the album's first single, is one of this year's catchiest tunes. "I Don't Wanna Lose You" and "Only Friend" are also two excellent tracks, showing off how Rooney can continue to do the same thing, while still adding a few twists and turns to make it exciting and fresh. Rooney will continue to be one of the best SoCal pop bands around, and their new venture without major label backing proves that all you really need is great songs and a great vibe.

CD REVIEW: Travie McCoy "Lazarus"

 Gym Class Heroes broke out in the last few years reinventing the genre or rap-rock. Nothing like the style of music that was everywhere in the late 90's, their brand featured more tongue-in-cheek lyrics and a pop/emo style of rock music that was much more accessible by all music fans. This album sees the solo debut of the bands lead singer/vocalist Travie McCoy, showing off much of the same that we have come to love from Gym Class Heroes. The twist is that creative freedom went one hundred percent to McCoy, and he decided to take the ball and run with it, doing some new things, some old things, and some off the wall things. The album is much more pop and hip hop than the alternative sound of Gym Class Heroes, reaching a different type of music fan. GCH fans will love this album, but it is a slight departure. Reggae is showcased in the debut single "Billionaire" and McCoy brings the funk and soul on "Dr. Feel Good" with a little help from Cee-Lo Green. Overall, McCoy has proven that he's got a firm grasp on the music industry and shows no signs of slowing down whether is is all alone or with his band.

New Release Tuesday

New releases out today worth checking out:

• The Chemical Brothers - Further
• Delta Spirit - History From Below
• Travie McCoy - Lazarus
• Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
• Rooney - Eureka

Also released today:

• 180° South (Woodshed Films DVD)

CD REVIEW: moe. "Smash Hits, Volume One"

After a 20 year (and still going) career, it's only logical to release a greatest hits album. Well, for moe., unconventional is always the way to go and they spare no expense with their recently released 'best of' collection. "Smash Hits, Volume One" is a collection of 10 of the band's best songs, mostly comprised of the songs that the band and those close to the band have deemed to be fan favorites. With an incredibly extensive catalogue to pull from, it's a wonder they were able to narrow it down to just 10 songs, but then again, this is only volume one. The and also decided to rerecord many of the songs on the album to give them a fresh interpretation, some of which were new over a decade ago. The band was unable to get the rights to the recordings they released when they were with Sony Music, so rather than not include some of their best songs ever, they decided to showcase the songs by recording updated versions of the music. To no surprise at all, each song is as awesome as the original and every liver performance of the song. They've also included the first ever studio recording of "Seat Of My Pants," a song that has been played live a countless number of times, but never saw the light of day on a studio album. These guys continue to wow audiences, reinvent themselves, and create unconventional and fantastic music. These songs truly are some of the band's best songs, and the future will surely contain several more volumes of this series, as moe. has many more and will continue to record smash hits.