CD REVIEW: Ra Ra Riot "The Orchard"

After brilliantly bursting on the scene with their last album, despite releasing it after suffering tragedy, Ra Ra Riot have returned with an album equally as excellent and a bit more grown up. Ra Ra Riot doesn't create indie music or pop music in the traditional sense. They follow their own path and they create music that is purely individual. "Boy" is surreal and beautiful and plays on each facet of the members of the bands abilities, influences, and heart. Ra Ra Riot has transcended the mold of the indie band with their new album and will definitely make new fans of many listeners of all kinds of music.

CD REVIEW: Underworld "Barking"

After an incredibly long hiatus from creating new music, UK techno act Underworld have returned with a stunning new album. This album feels almost like a throwback to the early days of Underworld's career and if you close your eyes you get the sense you are right in the middle of a UK dance club or an Underworld live performance. Each track is as hard hitting as the next, except for the beautifully written and performed final song, "Louisiana." "Louisiana" is a riveting slow and ambient track that is as magical as it is mind blowing. "Bird 1," "Always Loved A Film," and "Scribble" all take your mind and body over with their incredible beats and lyrics and catapult you into a collection of songs that is more of an experience than just an album. Underworld is a product of the 90's techno scene and they have retained their magic and reminded us just how awesome their sound is with their newest release.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Ben Folds - Lonely Avenue
• Jesse Harris - Cosmo
• Ingram Hill - Look Your Best
• Jimmy Eat World - Invited
• Pete Yorn - Pete Yorn

CD REVIEW: Brendan James "Brendan James"

Brendan James could very well be this generation's Billy Joel. His mastery of blending traditional pop songs with the emphasis on his piano skills is very reminiscent of Joel's style. Although James is not as hard hitting as Joel, he still displays the same qualities though his musicality. His new self titled album is head and shoulders above his debut album. Although he had some stellar songs and his songwriting was excellent on his debut, he hits full stride on this album. It's fitting that he self titled this one as wears his heart on his sleeve and opens himself up throughout each song. His vivid imagery combined with catchy hooks highlights the songwriting on tracks like "The Fall" and "Stupid For Your Love." It's tracks like "The Lucky Ones" and "Emerald Sky" that show off that he's not just another cookie cutter pop singer/songwriter. His heart and emotion in his lyrics and his delivery are his calling card. Brendan James may have just solidified himself as one of this generations new greats and it seems that, although he has put together an excellent sophomore release, the best is still yet to come.

Listen to BURN THIS live at THISisMODERN.net

As a special new treat to the readers of THISisMODERN.net, a music player has been added to the sidebar to the right. On the first day of every month, THISisMODERN.net has published the monthly BURN THIS playlist, featuring 20 of the best new songs by some of the best musicians around. Now, along with the publication of the playlist, for the entire duration of the month you will be able to listen to the playlist while you are reading all the posts at THISisMODERN.net. Just click play at the top of the music player to the right to start the first track playing. Feel free to listen straight through the 20 track playlist or click around and listen to songs individually in any order and as many times as you desire. Enjoy this new feature as THISisMODERN.net enters a new decade of bringing you the best in new music.

CD REVIEW: Chromeo "Business Casual"

When the 80's began to come back into style Chromeo was there spearheading the movement. With their throwback synth rock mixed with modern electronica, Chromeo has now released a third album of danceable and singable tracks the likes of which haven't been seen since the real 80's ended. This is the type of stuff you can't get of your your head and you don't really want to. The album's signature track is "Night By Night" which has a killer hook and and even better beat. Fans of 80's synth rock and modern bands like Passion Pit, Datarock, and the Chemical Brothers will surely fall in love with this release. The Chromeo guys have continued to set the bar high for 80's throwback tunes with their latest.

CD REVIEW: Guster "Easy Wonderful"

The bottom line is that Guster has created one of the best 5 albums of 2010. That being said, how exactly did they do it? They took the best elements of their band and their music and their experiences from their previous five albums and mashed them all together, mixed them with a bit of surprise, and wrapped them all up in a package that they had full control of producing. Guster is one of the hardest working bands in the music industry and they have managed to gain incredible success while remaining just below the radar. The album's first single, "Do You Love Me?" is a familiar Guster track with a bit more of a traditional pop feel. The entire album features Guster taking some twists and turns and introducing some unfamiliar elements into the mix like the use of new instruments such as the harmonica and ukulele. The banjo makes a prominent reappearance in two songs, "This Is How It Feels To Have A Broken Heart" and "Hercules," and keyboards and pianos are featured throughout the album. The instrumentation throughout the entire disc seems a bit more orchestral than in the past. Many of the songs are sure to become staples in Guster's live setlists, especially "What You Call Love," "Bad, Bad World," and "This Could All Be Yours." The album's lead track, "Architects & Engineers," is a perfect addition to the band's repertoire and sets the tone of the entire album. The disc makes a departure from the band's traditional roots rock and features much less hand percussion (the band's first 3 albums featured it almost exclusively) and much more drum set. Guster has also included two more songs featuring Jesus in the title ("Jesus & Mary," "Stay With Me Jesus"), tripling their total number of Jesus songs as of now. The band plans on releasing a music video for each of the 12 tracks on the album, and there are four bonus tracks featured on several digital and physical editions of the disc. Guster is a band that does not compromise their music to fit any mold or any genre or any trend. They have made yet another awesome album and have proven that they can still make new and exciting music that doesn't sound like everything else they've released before. Guster's music is a magnificent experience that everyone should have in their lives, and despite the band's excellent past musical endeavors, their newest album is definitely going to create enough buzz to create a whole new generation of Guster fans.

MUSIC VIDEO: Matt Costa "Witchcraft"

Happy 10th Birthday, THISisMODERN.net!

So 10 years ago, THISisMODERN.net was born. Out of an idea that started from a radio show, the site grew into a mecca for introducing the world to new music, and informing them in the most positive way. Over the past 10 years THISisMODERN.net has had five makeovers, and the latest is the most successful of the bunch. In 2010, in celebration of 10 years online, THISisMODERN.net set out to bring its readers a review a day from January 1st to December 31st. So far there have been 267 reviews (two of them of films), one posted every day with only 98 more to go, resulting in more reviews being posted in 2010 then from 2000-2009. THISisMODERN.net can also be followed on MySpace and on Twitter. Thanks to all the music industry representatives, record labels, publicists, musicians, and music fans that have been supportive of the site over the past 10 years. From underground indie to major label hit makers, the past ten years have been all about getting the best music into the eyes and ears of music fans from all over the world. Submissions have come from all over the world, including music from Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Here's to the past 10 years and to the future. THISisMODERN.net will continue to be the source for great new music, bringing you more positive reviews, free downloads, and information for as long as the music industry and the Internet allows.

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As a special 10th birthday gift to the readers of the site, THISisMODERN.net has added two link groups to the sidebar to the right of the page. You'll find a new "Quick Links" section which will link you to special categories of blog post as well as other places to check out THISisMODERN.net on the web. Also, the "Links" section has not been split into two sections: "Non Profit Links" and "Other Links" to emphasize the non profit organizations supported by THISisMODERN.net. Check back often as new links are added all the time.

CD REVIEW: Linkin Park "A Thousand Suns"

Some might say that for a band as established as Linkin Park, taking a left turn and doing something uncharacteristic and different is not the best way to go. In a music industry where the young guns are taking the world by storm, it's hard for the vets to keep up. So keep doing the same thing or do something different? In Linkin Park's case they decided that the right thing to do is whatever came from their voices and instruments. The end result is can be characterized as a piece of performance art just as much as an outstanding alternative rock album. Abandoning the rap-rock blueprint that was evident on their first two albums and flirting with the new wave alternative that their third album featured prominently, the band decided that they'd experiment with some new sounds, and with super producer Rick Rubin and co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda working the board, they've created a work of art. The songs are catchy without being overly cookie cutter. "The Catalyst" is the first single off of the album, but because the flow of the album and the feel of the collection as a cohesive performance the song is buried at the end of the album. Songs like "Iridescent" and "When They Come For Me" are familiar Linkin Park experiences with a updated twist. The album also features several instrumental pieces and samples 3 speeches including one from Martin Luther King, Jr. and a very famous snippet by Robert Oppenheimer. Linkin Park have raised the bar for alternative rockers and longevity in the rock industry with this new album and have proven that as long as you do it well, the music that you create will be excellent as long as it comes from a place of honesty, sincerity, and creativity.