#reviewoftheweek / Joshua Hyslop - In Deepest Blue

Folk music has been a prominent force in the music world lately, but Joshua Hyslop is not following a trend. He's the real deal, and has been for some time, now releasing his newest album "In Deepest Blue." The album is defined by it's subtlety mixed with powerful lyrics. Hyslop is an excellent storyteller and does not need flash and innovation to showcase his talents. Songs such as "The Flood," "Living & Dying," and "Gone" are the defining moments on the album. Joshua Hyslop may not be a household name like some other folkies, but he can hold his own, and shows just why all music fans should take notice on his latest album.

#reviewoftheweek / Circles Around The Sun - Interludes For The Dead

When the Grateful Dead decided that they were going to have some 50th anniversary shows, their fans went nuts, and quickly these shows became some of the biggest events in the band's history. But who would have guessed that the music that would play over the loudspeakers in between sets would become such a big deal. This album consists of that such music, a jazzy mix of jam rock created specifically for these events. This is the type of music you listen to in the background, but if you listen closely, it holds up as foreground music as well. Comprised of some jam band all star musicians, Circles Around The Sun is a band that, if desired, could record and tour as an entity on its own. For now, enjoy what the fans enjoyed between jamming out with the Dead during the summer of 2015.

#reviewoftheweek / Marc Broussard - Magnolias & Mistletoe

Marc Broussard's new Christmas collection is a roots rock holiday masterpiece. The thing about the collection is that it's not hard hitting soulful rock like we're used to from Broussard. Rather, it's a poignant collection of mostly traditional Christmas classics, sung by one of the most soulful voices in rock music. It's not about partying and having a good time. The collection is more about reflection and celebration. There are a few originals thrown in for good measure including the excellent "Almost Christmas." Broussard is a true musical talent, and sometimes it's just great to listen to him sing. This is a great way to do that as well as celebrate the season.

#reviewoftheweek / Train - Christmas In Tahoe

Christmas is one of the best times of the year to get into music. Usually it's year end "best of" lists and holiday tunes all over the radio and the internet, and this year Train has thrown their hat into the ring. Previously, they had released the single "Shake Up Christmas" which can be found on this album, but now they have put together a full collection! Featured on the album you will find a mix of originals and classics, both traditional and contemporary. The best of the collection are "This Christmas" and "What Christmas Means To Me." They've also included great renditions of greats like "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "O Holy Night," and "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)." It's the next logical progression in a career that has been fruitful and lengthy, and Train's Christmas collection is a great addition to every holiday playlist.

BURN THIS / December 2015

1. The Cat Empire "Wolves"
2. G. Love & Special Sauce (featuring Ozomatli) "Let's Have A Good Time"
3. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats "Trying So Hard Not To Know"
4. Josh Ritter "Birds Of The Meadow"
5. Alabama Shakes "Shoegaze"
6. Bronze Radio Return "Light Me Up"
7. The Wild Feathers "Overnight"
8. Lissie "Hero"
9. My Morning Jacket "In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)"
10. Moon Taxi "Always"
11. Trey Anastasio "The Song"
12. Koa "What Now"
13. Trevor Hall (featuring Luka Lesson) "Forgive"
14. Newton Faulkner "Get Free"
15. Sawyer Fredricks "Take It All"
16. Andrew Ripp "Animal"
17. Escondido "Heart Is Black"
18. Mike Dunn "Faith Healer"
19. Chris Trapper "Everything Was Possible"
20. Aaron Espe "Beyond The Sun"

#reviewoftheweek / Lettuce - Crush

This album is quite possibly the best instrumental album released in 2015 (despite having a few tracks featuring vocals). That being said, Lettuce has never been better. What is essentially a fun side project for the members of the band that have other gigs, this band knows how to blow it up. The horn driver album features a fun party vibe that doesn't stop from end to end. Killer tracks like "The Force" and "The Lobbyist" and just fun and funky and danceable. "Sounds Like A Party" and "He Made A Woman Out Of Me" are the two vocal tracks on that album, but the band doesn't take a back seat to the guest at all. Songs like "Chief" and "Get Greasy" mimic 70's funk and have a kind of cop show feel to the music. "The New Reel" sounds like it came straight from a spy thriller soundtrack. The album doesn't quit from beginning to end, and these guys show how much fun it is to play this music, and it's the next best thing to seeing them do their thing live on stage.

#reviewoftheweek / Jon And Roy - Riverside

Hailing from the great white north (Canada), this duo has just released their sixth album (Jon released 3 solo albums as well), and this one is just as good as all the rest. The secret is not messing with a tried and true formula. Sure, when you are a duo and you stamp your names across the front of all your albums, you've got to be able to back it up with some killer music. That has always been the case for these guys, and their latest is no different. Hitting the acoustic folk (that at times sounds like it should come from the coast of California or shores of some island paradise), songs that stand out from this release are "Come Again" and "Light Me Up." The title track is another beauty, and the duo show they can go the distance on the 7+ minute "Quatro." All in all, its the consistency that counts, and with Jon And Roy, you can never go wrong.

#reviewoftheweek / Trey Anastasio - Paper Wheels

This album has been a long time come, with Trey busy with his day job (Phish) and his side job (playing guitar with the Grateful Dead during their Fair Thee Well concert run). But, despite the album having been percolating for almost a year, it was well worth the wait. It is quite possibly Trey's best solo release, and highlights the best of the sound of the solo career combined with his experience from filling the Jerry Garcia void in the first have of 2015. He hit us with 3 songs early on to hold the fans over ("Bounce," "Speak To Me," and "Never") which are 3 of the best on the album. But the gems are the jammy lead track "Sometime After Sunset," the radio-friendly single "The Song," and the mellow psychedelic groove "Lever Boy." All the tracks are sure to wow during Trey's live set. And the album doesn't sound like a Phish disc, due to the fact that Trey's band has a funky horn section that really rounds out the loose feel-good vibe of the album. Trey just keeps getting better with age and experience, and it all has paid off in the form of one of the year's best recordings.

#reviewoftheweek / Silversun Pickups - Better Nature

It seems like every generation has the artists, bands, musicians, etc. that play a specific role and fit into a specific spot in the musical spectrum. Silversun Pickups are one of those bands that occupy the space once held prominently by the Smashing Pumpkins. Fuzzy and ethereal at the same time, Silversun Pickups' music defines alternative rock. The coolest part about their music, and especially this album, is that it doesn't pigeonhole the band in one era of alternative music. There are songs in this collection that could stand up during each of the last 3 decades of rock music, but also sound as fresh and new as they need to be. The lead single "Nightlight" may be the catchiest, but not since their debut album has the band put out compositions like "Latchkey Kid" and "Friendly Fires," both of which are destined to become fan favorites. On their fourth album, it's awesome that Silversun Pickups can still be inventive and relevant in a time when the one-hit-wonder is making a comeback.

BURN THIS / November 2015

1. Stephen Kellogg "Last Man Standing"
2. Chadwick Stokes "Indiana Fall"
3. Jon And Roy "Come Again"
4. Trevor Hall "You Can't Rush Your Healing"
5. Koa "So Many Times"
6. Trey Anastasio "Lever Boy"
7. ALO "Strange Days"
8. The Revivalists "Amber"
9. Gary Clark Jr. "Church"
10. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats "Howling At Nothing"
11. Jay Nash "Where To Start"
12. Matt Corby "Monday"
13. Jarryd James "Sure Love"
14. Jose Gonzalez "Let It Carry You"
15. Matt Costa "Seven Sins"
16. Joshua Hyslop "Gone"
17. The Lone Bellow "To The Woods"
18. Dawes "All Your Favorite Bands"
19. Matt Nathanson "Bill Murray"
20. Greg Holden "Boys In The Street"