CD REVIEW: The Verve Pipe "A Family Album"

It's always hard, when you have kids, to find music that you all can enjoy. Of course, there's always that outside chance that your kids will love everything that you listen to and you'll have nothing to worry about. Recently rock bands have taken a different perspective on children's music and it's totally awesome. The latest is by the Verve Pipe and it takes 90's alternative and mixes it with themes and emotions that kids and entire families can relate to together. This is music that adults can enjoy with their kids and no one has to be subjected to the awfulness of Kidz Bop. "Be Part Of The Band" is a rocker that gets kids in the mood to do just that: rock! The Verve Pipe mixes a little bluegrass with clever lyrics on "Suppertime" and gets sentimental on "One Becomes Two." With this being the latest success story of great bands making great kid friendly music, it's a shame that all bands don't dive into this world. The Verve Pipe has always made great music and as the years progress, they continue to do just that, even if this latest collection targets a wider demographic.

CD REVIEW: Tyler James "It Took The Fire"

It's been a long time coming for Tyler James' debut full length album to be released, but it's finally here. Previous to now he's released a few EPs, appeared on a few compilations, and lent his vocal talents to an electronic track by Morgan Page. On this album he spares no expense by bringing back a few pieces of gold from his first few releases. "Sweet Relief" and "Down To The Garden" are two of these gems, and their reworkings on this album take them to the next level. Two of the best songs written in recent years are included as well, "Don't Leave" and "Stay Humble," both of which appeared on James' first EP. "Stay Humble" is better than ever and is sure to be the song that makes Tyler James a star. "Don't Leave" is slowed down just a bit to really focus on the lyrical content. Of his new tunes, two songs stand out immensely. "All I Got" is a slow jazzy tune about love that features some cool horns. The other is "Soapbox Shakedown" which is a lyrical masterpiece and showcases Tyler's ability to tell a story through song while still showcasing his musicality. Tyler James is truly one of the most underrated independent musicians on the scene these days, but once the masses grasp hold of this album he is sure to become the next big thing.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today that is worth checking out:

• The Album Leaf - A Chorus Of Storytellers
• Tyler James - It Took The Fire

BURN THIS / February 2010

1. ALO "Man Of The World"
2. Samantha Stollenwerck "Carefree"
3. Lee Everton "A Little Light"
4. Jason Castro "Love Uncompromised"
5. Matt Hartke (featuring Angel Taylor) "This Way"
6. Marie Moreshead "As The Romans Do"
7. Greg Holden "The Chase"
8. Matt Stansberry "You Could Have It All"
9. Pete Kilpatrick Band "Feel It"
10. Taylor Carson "Someone To Love"
11. Matthew Mayfield "Better"
12. Robert Francis "Nightfall"
13. The Avett Brothers "Laundry Room"
14. Dawes "Love Is All I Am"
15. Peter Bradley Adams "For You"
16. Trent Dabbs "Inside These Lines"
17. Andrew Belle (featuring Katie Herzig) "Static Waves"
18. Joey Ryan "Broken Headlights"
19. Tyler James "All I Got"
20. Guy Sebastian (featuring John Mayer) "Fail To Mention"

CD REVIEW: Guy Sebastian "Like It Like That"

When it comes to diverse singers, Guy Sebastian is certainly one that comes to mind. In the US, however, he's not that well known because his debut "Like It Like That" has not been released there yet. Actually, this latest album by Guy is not his debut, it's just his US-debut-to-be; he has many other albums already released in his home country of Australia. Guy, who was the first winner of Australian Idol (the down under version of the US megahit), teams up with David Ryan Harris, guitarist of John Mayer's band and soulful singer/songwriter, for a no-holds-barred assault on the music world. He covers everything from soul to pop to blues on this album. American Idol winner Jordin Sparks lends her vocals to a pop duet that is the only track on the album that seems to be incredibly out of place, but not a bad song at all. John Mayer lends some guitar and background vocals to two excellent songs "Fail To Mention" and "Never Be You." The title track and "All To Myself" really show off Guy's more upbeat soulfulness. He's destined to take the world by storm, but for now only a few tracks from the album can be downloaded in the US. He will, for sure, be huge in the states once the rest of this album can be consumed.

CD REVIEW: Norah Jones "The Fall"

Norah Jones at the very core is a jazz performer and one of the greatest in recent music history, as proof by her many Grammy awards won for her debut album. On her last album she showed off what she could do in the world of country music, added a little of that flavor where possible. It's now, finally, that she dives deep into the world of indie rock music. On "The Fall" she wrote many of the songs herself, with co-writing credits going to Jesse Harris, who wrote her Grammy winning song "Don't Know Why," as well as indie rock legend Ryan Adams. The song "Chasing Pirates" is by far one of the best songs of 2009, with Norah passing on her traditional piano for a very spooky synthesizer, while adding some borderline spooky vocals. Norah has proven time and time again to be one of this generation's prolific voices and on this latest release, she has proven that her sound and her songs know no boundaries.

CD REVIEW: Eric Hutchinson "Sounds Like This Live 2"

The mark of a great performing songwriter is the ability to strip your songs down to the bare minimum and deliver them in a way that is pure and natural. When a singer/songwriter can achieve that during their live performances, they truly have proven that their talent is for real. When you can make your live performances sound equally as good as your studio recordings, if not better, then your talent cannot be questioned. Eric Hutchinson has achieved this, with only a small arsenal of songs, in his "Sounds Like This Live" EP series. On the second of these releases, he showcases another 5 songs in their purest and rawest form. "OK, It's Alright With Me" leads the pack of tunes with an outstanding live rendition that really showcases the lyrics and the piano pop feel of the song, which as a single on the radio was incredibly well received. Holding us off with live music will only work for so long, as we await his return to the studio, but Eric Hutchinson knows how to make even familiar music new and exciting.

CD REVIEW: Bob Schneider "Lovely Creatures"

He certainly has a way with words, and on this album Bob Schneider keeps up the good work by delivering a new batch of clever lyrics, heartfelt stories, and tongue-in-cheek metaphors. The first single, "40 Dogs (Like Romeo & Juliet)," mixes his natural way with words with a catchy hook and makes for a surprising hit. "The Bringdown" is one of Bob's more musically interesting tracks, combining his stunning lyrical prowess with a slow groove and some guitar solos that really amaze. Patty Griffin lends a little vocal assistance on a updated reworking of the song "Changing Your Mind." Bob's from Texas which isn't far from Mexico, so his Latin flavor really shines on two classic live staples brought into the studio for the first time, "Tarantula" and "Bombonanza." The song "Trash," which leads it all off, stemmed from a songwriting game that he and fellow wordsmith Jason Mraz play through e-mail. Overall, Bob Schneider is one of the most unique singer/songwriters performing these days and on his newest album he may have proven that when you are at the top of your game, there's still room to go higher.

CD REVIEW: Joey Ryan "Kenter Canyon"

Joey Ryan has already astonished his listeners with his previous releases but this is the one that will put Ryan on the map. "Kenter Canyon" may be short but it's packed full of beautiful music. Sara Bareilles shows up lending background vocals on the first track "Broken Headlights," which along with "Permanent" is one of the best songs that Ryan has written. It's performance shows that he is ready to make a name for himself in the music world. Don't be surprised if before long, Joey Ryan is showing up in places you'd least expect to hear his music, like on your favorite radio station, as one of VH1's "You Oughta Know" artists, or even performing on late night television. This EP is sure to show everyone that Joey Ryan is a real deal lyricist and musician and deserving of the success that many of his peers already have achieved.

CD REVIEW: Motion City Soundtrack "My Dinosaur Life"

More so than ever before Motion City Soundtrack are at the top of their game. Poised to become the band at the forefront of a movement, the lyrics have become the star of each of the songs on this album. The movement they will lead is a change from emphasis on headbanging, hard crunchy guitars, and pop punk music to an emphasis on the lyrical content of the music being the driving force behind the success. No longer will a catchy guitar hook, a drum beat, or even a single clever chorus line be the deciding factor in who succeeds and who fails in the world of punk rock. Now, the entire message and delivery of that message will matter more than the sound of the music. Motion City Soundtrack have achieved more of a sound closely resembling Jimmy Eat World on this album than that of bands such as Fall Out Boy. Similar critical and popular success should follow for MCS as it did for Jimmy Eat World just a few years ago. Not that these boys aren't or haven't been taken seriously, but this album will help their fanbase branch out to other listeners that may have dismissed them as a certain type of band with a certain type of sound. Standout tracks are definitely "A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help)," Her Words Destroyed My Planet," and "Disappear." Not since their first album, which was not as widely appreciated, has MCS delivered such a potent collection of music.