CD REVIEW: Zee Avi "One More Time With Colors"

The first lady of Brushfire Records has quietly released an EP containing a new song and it's as beautiful as he self titled debut. The EP also featured 3 remixed versions of songs from her debut, including one of "Is This The End" which adds a new face to an already breathtaking song. The new tune, "I Wish I Never," is excellent and could have easily found itself amongst the songs on her first album. Zee Avi is one of the most underappreciated female singer/songwriters on the scene and this new EP is a reminder of just how great her beautiful music is.

CD REVIEW: Dashboard Confessional "Alter The Ending"

Dashboard Confessional returns to their roots with their most acoustic filled album since "The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most." The boys, led by Chris Carraba, have put together a solid collection of new tunes that will have any fan of emo alternative rock pleased. "Belle Of The Boulevard" is the album's debut single and biggest highlight of the disc. During this album the band stays true to the music that hey have become known for and deliver a collection that is as good as anything they have released in the past.

CD REVIEW: Zero 7 "Record"

Just a little greatest hits collection from one of the best ambient electronic acts to come around since Moby. Zero 7 broke onto the scene almost 10 years ago with their hit debut album which blew up the charts, the airwaves, and everywhere summery, mellow electronic music was played. Collaborating with (and helping to launch the careers of) Sia, Jose Gonzalez, and Sophie Barker, Zero 7 brought us the hits "Destiny," "Home," "Somersault," "In The Waiting Line," and "Futures" all of which were included in this compilation. This disc is truly the best of their best, featuring not only singles, but album standouts that define the group. For anyone looking for all of Zero 7's best in one place, this is it.

CD REVIEW: Caleb Hawley "Steps"

As a bright young talent, Caleb Hawley has created an excellent new album with incredible songs that range through a variety of genres. He does not pin himself down at all on this album, showing off his incredible vocal abilities with a soulful delivery. The highlights of the album are reggae song "Real Vacation" and the folk rocker "My Own Two Feet." The biggest surprise is a cover of the song "The Way It Is," which Hawley interprets in such a way that it keeps its classic appeal while still feeling new and fresh. Caleb Hawley is one of those special unknowns that you love discovering, and his latest album is definitely worth discovering.

CD REVIEW: Tonic "Tonic"

Another 90's success story has returned a little over a decade later to reinvent themselves. Only this time, no reinvention is needed. The boys in the band did a lot of their own stuff (musically) during their hiatus, and that has made their newest record, which they fittingly self titled, a great one. As the guys are older, the music is less about the rock and more about the soul. The album is incredibly lyrics driven, and reaches out to their core fans ina huge way. As their fans have grown, so have they, and although you can head their 90's alternative rock style coming through in many of the tracks on this album, musically the album is more of an accessible disc to fans of all styles of rock. Less big guitars, and more acoustic, Tonic leads the way with the single "Release Me," and showcases exactly how they became huge stars in the 90's. They sure know how to right great pop rock songs, and this new disc is full of them. It could be the second incarnation of their career, but it looks like Tonic has found themselves once again, and picked it all right up where they left off.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Tony Lucca - Rendezvous With The Angels
• Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants - Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants

CD REVIEW: Marah "Life Is A Problem"

For a band that has put in over a decade of touring and writing and recording music, Marah never cease to make their music interesting. Their newest release has them going a little lo-fi and a whole lot stripped down to their roots. The music on the new album is raw and personal, and has a quality that makes the music feel more indie than ever before. Songs like "Valley Farm Song" and "Put 'Em In The Graveyard" fit right in with the band's rootsy and gritty feel, that still has them chanelling greats like Springsteen and Cash. Marah has done it again, and despite the album's lo-fi production quality, the rawness and the truth in the music makes the recording shine.

CD REVIEW: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers "Live From The Heart"

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers have lived their life on the road. This digital release (which will be available in physical form at shows this fall) is a testament to that life. Recorded live at Irving Plaza in New York in April 2010, the show was the band's 1000th. It featured the band in their purest of forms, Kellogg as a solo artist and with members of the band, both current and former, on stage performing classic Sixers tracks as well as excellent new ones from their latest studio release. The set opens with a stunning solo performance of "Satisfied Man" and closes with the Kellogg classic "See You Later, See You Soon." The meat in the middle consists of some fan favorites, some lesser known goodies, and the hits. "Thirteen," "Shady Esperanto And The Young Hearts," and "Such A Way" all appear in all their live performance glory. Friends Josh Ritter, Serena Ryder, and Marc Roberge of O.A.R. all lend a hand with the show, appearing on stage for some beautiful guest vocal performances. All in all, Stephen Kellogg proved why 1000 shows later, the band is still going strong and have reached a level that few bands ever get to. Sonically, the album feels just like you are there. There's no doubt that these guys have another thousand shows left in them, and each one is sure to be just as good as this one.

CD REVIEWS: Keane "Night Train"

After coming off of a successful third album that featured probably their best song ever recorded ("Spiralling"), Keane are back rather quickly with a new collection of tunes that pick right up where the last album left off. This short set features only eight tracks, but has a few really awesome compositions included in it. Rapper K'naan joins in on the fun on two of the tracks, "Looking Back" and "Stop For A Minute." It's kind of interesting hearing rap music mixed with Keane's Brit pop style, but "Stop For A Minute" wouldn't be as awesome a song if it wasn't for the inclusion of K'naan's lyrics and performance. It is one of Keane's best singles. The opening track is an instrumental and "Back In Time" and "Clear Skies" could have easily found their way onto and fit into any of Keane's other releases. Written, conceptualized, and recorded while touring, this new release by Keane will surely hold us over until they get back into a proper studio and bang out their next album.

CD REVIEW: LCD Soundsystem "This Is Happening"

Dance music has been made cool again by LCD Soundsystem. This, their third album, is however, less danceable, than their first two from a "party-in-the-club" standpoint. Yet, indie kids will surely be able to get their groove on with these nine tracks. Much like LCD's first two albums the disc is heavy on syncopated rhythms and synthesizers, but this time Jame Murphy & Co.'s lyrics play much more of a heavier role in the music. "Drunk Girls," the album's first single, is an excellent track and reminiscent of the work the band has previously done. The album's true gems are "You Wanted A Hit" which has a bit of an 80's synth pop feel and "Dance Yrself Clean." "One Touch" and "Pow Pow" are also great additions to LCD Soundystem's catalogue. LCD Soundsystem started it all with the indie rock meets dance rock style of music Now that many other bands have jumped on board this wagon, it seems that these guys are still doing it right, making it classic, and bringing us the danceable indie rock music that is uniquely their own.