CD REVIEW: Sia "We Are Born"

After having broken onto the pop music scene as a guest vocalist for the electronic act Zero 7, Sia has developed into quite the independent artist. All her music is fun and exciting, and this newest album has the most energy of any of her releases. Produced by Greg Kurstin (The Bird And The Bee, Geggy Tah), the songs contained within are a breath of fresh air. With the energy of artists like Beck (with whom she collaborated in the past) and Gnarls Barkley, her music is equally intriguing. "You've Changed" and "Clap Your Hands" are Sia's best songs since the release of "Breathe Me." "Big Girl Little Girl" has her again collaborating with Zero 7's Henry Binns, and includes backing vocals by Inara George. The album is one of the most sonically pleasing of the year, and is sure to blow up the airwaves, and trigger a plethora of remixes.

CD REVIEW: Stars "The Five Ghosts"

For fans of indie rock, Stars have always been one of those bands that has epitomized the sound. Equal parts Feist and Death Cab For Cutie, Stars has found a way to harness the subtle energy and poignant lyricism of heartfelt indie rock and paint a sonic picture with their music. Drawing from all the best parts of all their previous recordings, "The Five Ghosts," the band's first on Vagrant Records, takes them band to a new level with their music. The production quality has been stepped up, and the album as a whole is better than it's parts as individual songs. "Dead Hearts," "Fixed," and "Wasted Daylight" will easily become songs that define Stars to a mass audience that they have yet to reach. The dual vocalists, one male and one female, is a quality that is unseen in popular music these days, and sets the band apart from all its peers. Stars has always been a diamond in the rough, unrecognized by the masses for their talent and their beautiful music, and this album stands to be their breakout from obscurity.

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Trevor Hall - Chasing The Flame: On The Road With Trevor Hall
• Ernie Halter - Franklin & Vermont
• Steel Train - Steel Train
• STS9 - Axe The Cables

CD REVIEW: Ben Fuller "Aquarian Son"

An outrageously cool debut from a a talented and virtually unknown singer/songwriter, this EP finds itself somewhere around the intersection of the Beach Boys and the Beatles. Ben Fuller has put together five incredible pop songs that are full of depth and character, mixing quirky and fun lyrics with an equally exciting sound. The first and last track, "Ashes" and "California" respectively, are bookends of the EP that define the entire disc. The energy of both tracks showcase the raw talent of Fuller, and the songs are catchy and get stuck in your head for hours, just like great pop songs are supposed to do. This EP is an excellent introduction to this unknown talent, and is surely not the last we will hear from Ben Fuller.

CD REVIEW: Steel Train "Steel Train"

Back with one of their most ambitious records yet, Steel Train have delivered an immensely creative set of new tunes. Mixing their old soul rock and roll style with the newness of their indie sound and the energy of punk and alternative rock, the guys have managed to deliver a incredibly cohesive collection of songs. Tracks like "Turnpike Ghost," "Bullet," and "You And I Undercover" are surefire hits, and will certainly bring Steel Train to the forefront of the alternative rock scene. As an added bonus, Steel Train has also decided to open the floodgates an release a collection of covers of the songs on this album sung by a who's who of indie rock goddesses, including Scarlett Johansson and Tegan & Sara. With this album, Steel Train are destined to join he new wave of talented young indie bands breaking out into the mainstream.

CD REVIEW: Donavon Frankenreiter "Revisited"

Redoing an album is not the most traditional thing to do. When Donavon Frankenreiter decided to take a new stab at his self titled debut album, he decided not to redo the album, but revisit and reinvent the music that was so excellent already the first time around. He decided to take 10 songs from his debut album and reinterpret the music using traditional Hawaiian instruments and styles, adding a tropical vibe to his already sunsoaked tunes. The end result is an album unlike any other. The lyrics and vibe of the music is so perfect for this style. There are no guest vocalists this time around, and songs like "Free" and "What'cha Know About" take on a whole new life this time around. "Heading Home," "Call Me Papa," and "Butterfly" are all perfect suited for this style of music, and the lyrics mold beautifully with Frankenreiters new take on the music. Donavon Frankenreiter continues to be an incredibly unique and inventive singer/songwriter, and with each new composition he always ads a whole new spin on his great music. He's quite an eccentric soul, and this album shows a new side to him and his music that is just plain awesome.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey" Soundtrack

Kids movies are always fun. But what makes them outstanding is the music. When the music included in the movies is just as good as anything that parents would listen to on a regular basis that just makes enjoying the movie with your kids that much better. Jack Johnson took over musical duties in the original Curious George movie, but this time Carbon Leaf has taken the reins and delivered a successful collection of new and reinterpreted songs from their catalogue. The new songs "The Friendship Song" and "Walking In The Sun" are fun loving songs that are kid friendly and have all of the great elements of Carbon Leaf's signature Celtic rock style. Their revisitation of the songs "Life Less Ordinary" and "Let Your Troubles Roll By" mesh well with the vibe of the rest of the soundtrack and breathe new life into some of Carbon Leaf's best old songs. Beach Boy Brian Wilson also contributes a track and the album contains some non-Carbon Leaf instrumental compositions used throughout the movie. Kids music should always be fun, but it's best when the parents love it to. The Curious George franchise has managed to yet again provided us with another excellent compilation of tunes for kids and parents alike.

CD REVIEW: Zac Brown Band "Pass The Jar - Live From The Fabulous Fox Theatre In Atlanta"

Live music flows through Zac Brown's blood, so it was only fitting that he followed up his critically acclaimed debut with a stunning recording of an excellent live performance by him and his band. With a little help from his friends Zac Brown put on an incredible show that busted down musical barriers and showcased how excellent a live performer Zac Brown Band truly is. Although he is marketed as a country singer, Brown has a lot of rock and roll inside him and his music, and when unleashed on a crowd, it comes out. Great performances include "Chicken Fried," "Who Knows," "Highway 20 Ride" and an awesome cover of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." Both well known and indie friends joined the party on stage such as Aslyn, Shawn Mullins, Angie Aparo, and Kid Rock for some excellent collaborations. Zac Brown Band is a great live band, and this show showcases just how fun and exciting they are on stage.

CD REVIEW: Jonathan Clay "Everything She Wants"

Jonathan Clay is an incredibly soulful singer/songwriter who's newest album showcases his musical maturity and bluesy guitar stylings. Not quite at the level of John Mayer, but certainly amazing with the axe, Clay's lyrics and guitar solos virtually do battle throughout the entire album as each try to be the anchor. Luckily both the lyrics and the musicianship play an equal role in the success of the album. The album is full of radio ready hits such as "Lucky To Be Loved By You," "Close To You," and "Gypsy Woman." The whole disc is full of songs that show off Clay's great lyrics and stellar guitar skills. Jonathan Clay is an incredible talent that may not be as widely known as he should, and despite the fact that he had a video in rotation on VH1, this album is the one that is going to put him permanently on the map.

CD REVIEW: Tony Lucca "Rendezvous With The Angels"

Tony Lucca's newest album is by far is best ever.  He has definitely outdone himself with the lyrical content, and love is an overall theme of the entire disc. The simplicity of the music is outstanding, laying the groundwork for some of Lucca's most heartfelt tunes. Friends Keaton Simons, Curtis Peoples, and Sara Bareilles all make vocal contributions to the album, adding another layer of awesomeness to Lucca's signature blues and soul influenced acoustic rock. "Long Love Letter" is sure to gain this album some major attention, with its catchy hook and singable lyrics. Lucca also includes his take on the classic Billy Joel song "Vienna." Tony Lucca is one of those musicians that has been around for a while but has not quite reached the level of recognition that he truly deserves. Lucca has proven that he is the real deal and can put together outstanding albums full of personal and soulful songs that any music lover can get into.