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Once in a while a band comes along that amazes you right off the bat. The Black Angels are that type of band. They combine elem
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.
Recorded live at this summer's Life Is Good festival in Massachusetts, Jason Mraz's new digital EP is exactly what you'd expect. It's full of high energy music with Mraz's signature delivery. The horn section is in full effect throughout the entire disc, which featured 4 unreleased songs. The EP leads off with "Freedom Song," which is actually a cover of a song by California indie band Luc & The Lovingtons. It sounds like a song that Mraz would have written himself, so it's no wonder he's decided to add it to his arsenal. "San Disco Reggaefornia" and "Up" are two more of the new tunes, showing off his high energy body moving music as well as his fun-loving lyrics. "What Mama Say" is a song that is reminiscent of his first album, showing off his mastery of wordplay and quick lyrical delivery. It is a tongue-in-cheek ditty about all of the stuff you mother told you to do, not do, and always remember. The EP finishes off with "Coyotes," a song from Mraz's last studio album. Jason Mraz is a true performer, and as has been seen on his previous live releases, he sure knows how to do it up. This continues to be the next best thing to seeing him live, and for true Mraz fans getting a taste of new tunes in the form of live performances without having to be at the show is a treat.
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.
Nashville singer/songwriters Tim Williams and Jacob Jones have joined forces and combined their talents to create the Depression State Troopers. The name is a colorful play on words, but the music is so much more. Despite the use of the word depression in their name, it seems as though the entire album sets out to fight the obvious and become so much more than a negatively emotional album. The music is whimsical at times and not always soft, indie, and strummy. "Take My Hair" and "Blood In My Veins" are the most familiar sounding songs, displaying the duos most accessible and singable lyrics. Some of the best songs are the short little numbers that are dispersed throughout, especially "Marie." When accomplished musicians set out to do something different, many times it just ends up being a carbon copy of their previous work. Jones and Williams have developed a whole new sound with the Depression State Troopers, and even though you hear their individual styles within, the combination of the two is so much more than you'd expect.
A weary, smoky, and scratchy voice is what you hear in each an every note that Graham Isaacson sings. He is not broken or lost. In fact, he is just the opposite. He sings with emotion and vigor and his deep dark voice is the backbone of some intense songs, that sometimes don't even have intense subject matter. On his latest EP he continues to amaze and mix it up with instrumentation and arrangements that don't always match his Johnny Cash vocal vibe. "Shot Me At Sunrise" is his closest thing to a Cash song, and the EP's significant standout. "Hot Lovin' Lady" "Angel Underneath" are also excellent tracks. Isaacson is a unique soul and an individual that makes music at his own pace, on his own terms, and in his own way. His music comes from an honest place and is delivered with the same honesty. His latest EP proves that he is a singer not to be overlooked.