As the lead singer of the hugely successful British pop band Travis, Fran Healy has become synonymous with Travis' signature sound. Always compared to other British bands like Oasis, Snow Patrol, and Coldplay, Travis still managed to carve out a little niche of their own. That all being said, Fran Healy has decided to give a solo album a shot. You might think it's just another Travis album, as many lead singers tend to continue down the same path they were already on, but this album is nothing like the music Travis put out. Healy has really put together a stellar singer/songwriter disc, with emphasis on the lyrics and the personal connection to the music and the listener. The album is full of great songs, some of which are surely going to become hits, both in the UK and US. "Buttercups" is the first single, and bares the closest resemblance to a Travis song. Paul McCartney (yes, the Beatle) plays bass on "As It Comes" and Healy duets with Neko Case on "Sing Me To Sleep," both of which are album standouts. Other songs like "Anything" and "Holiday" are perfect compositions showing off Healy's solo talents to the max. Fran Healy has proven that he is a major part of Travis' success, and now he's out to prove he can do it all again on his own.
![Phosphene Dream [Exclusive Version]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tVlhgjVRk0A5ZjAwyuRWWLTGXSJwX-kTTqgJFGe-9x57GB-mWoJJ2hzsp9l1acKgYpiicIJT8hXcuc1xjnNqefwhvL23xQ1Zx9DbKSEYhmgVb6ulew-zbL_sSIB0TBNARu3RRgAPWTsbfYepnZ9uty4GWDkdWn0_UMlHfVjzAmhL-l4pqaUVwmNDO2HwmYkYi4iBvUjamSqY_A98nKLYcEryWM6ulxJuODfEtTWZih=s0-d)
ents of several different styles and eras of rock music to create a sound that, although it can be compared to others, is as unique as it gets. For starters, if you were to describe your first initial impression you might say that the sound is somewhere between the Doors and early 60's Beatles. Now those two bands have very distinctive sounds, and you can hear influences of both throughout the Black Angels' newest album. It might even sound like these guys are a lost piece of the British Invasion, but they are actually from Austin, Texas. For a modern day comparison, mid-90's Dandy Warhols might be as close as you get. The bottom line is psychedelia is alive and well, and showcased perfectly on the first single, "Telephone." The energy of the album is great, and you get a sense that the band is as artistic as they are musically talented. This album is like taking a rock and roll history lesson and wrapping it up in just ten songs.
Donavon Frankenreiter is known for his quirkiness, his mellow music, and his surfing. On this, his newest collection of original tunes, he shows off the mellow side of himself once again, as seen on his debut self titled album as well as its Hawaiian reincarnation released earlier this year. Frankenreiter buckles down and simplifies all of his tunes so that his lyrics and the messages he sings about are the highlight of the album, with the acoustic guitar taking a more prominent role and the electric taking a back seat. The title track is the first single and it's already blowing up the airwaves. It's possibly the most well received of his singles since he released "Free." Two songs which surfaced as acoustic demos after the release of his last album ("Home," "Hold On") get the full musical treatment this time and are two of the album's standout tracks. His quirkiness has it's place on this album as well and it comes in the form of "Dance Like Nobody's Watching," which sounds like such a cheesy title, but is actually an incredible love song that is reminiscent of Jack Johnson's "Better Together." Continuing with his unconventional ways, the album's cover actually glows in the dark. Donavon Frankenreiter is a unique soul, and his music is right there each step of the way, and his latest has him placing his feet (almost) firmly on the ground and connecting with his listeners on a very personal and accessible level.
Nathan Beaver's blend of folk music and Americana is a simple style, but he executes it like a seasoned veteran on his latest album. The instrumentation on the album is classic Americana, bordering on southern rock and country music. Hailing from Georgia, he is able to combine his roots and his talents to deliver outstanding songs like "Clever," which is radio ready and sure to get Beaver some praise from critics and DJs as well as a whole bunch of new fans. Other songs on the album that show off Nathan's excellent performance are "Mason Jar" and "Piecing The World Together," which sounds like an old Nashville standard. Nathan Beaver is the epitome of the real deal, and his music is fresh and familiar, a combination that will help him go far.
Solutions For Dreamers" series from Oniric Records has been around for several years and has been both supporting independent music and some incredible non profit causes along the way. The third incarnation of the disc has been released to support the World Food Programme, an incredibly valiant organization with an equally incredible cause. The music contained within is by a wide variety of artists, some of which are established and others that are relatively new to the game, and styles from reggae to acoustic folk to indie rock. The Wailers (yes those Wailers) put forth an incredible new song and Chase McBride contributes his song "1937" from his debut EP. Marc B, J Radio (aka Merlo Podlewsky, bassist in Jack Johnson's band), Matt Jennings, and Matthew McAvene all contribute excellent new tracks that are welcome additions to their respective catalogues. Just as with the previous compilations, there are simple messages contained within the music and as interludes between the tracks. It's a great collection to download, not just for the awesome music, but for the incredible cause it supports.
Jesse Harris is one of the most underappreciated and talented musicians around. The fact that he was courageous enough to release two brand new albums in the span of a few weeks shows that he's not afraid to be himself and make music on his own terms. That being said, the second of the two new releases is a completely instrumental album that leaves no where for Harris to hide. He has put his heart and soul down to tape more than ever before, and allowed his musical talents as a performer and an arranger to be showcased as the main focus of the music, rather than the backdrop for his incredible lyrics. Sure, he did win a Grammy for his lyrics, but it's the music that he creates to go along with those lyrics that sometimes gets left in the dust. This time Harris brings the listener more into his world than ever, and should be commended for doing it in such a way that not only shows his talents as a jazz musician, but celebrates them in every way possible.