New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• James Blunt - Some Kind Of Trouble
• Benjy Davis Project - Sincerely
• Bryan Greenberg - We Don't Have Forever
• Haroula Rose - These Open Roads

New Release Tuesday

New music out today worth checking out:

• Cake - Showroom Of Compassion

BURN THIS / January 2011

1. G. Love "Fixin' To Die"
2. Fistful Of Mercy "Father's Son"
3. J.J. Grey & Mofro "Hide & Seek"
4. Nathaniel Rateliff "Whimper And Wail"
5. The White Buffalo "Into The Sun"
6. Mason Jennings "January"
7. Elephant Revival "Go On"
8. Chase McBride "Hold Me Up"
9. Ray Lamontagne & The Pariah Dogs "For The Summer"
10. Jason Spooner "Seed In The Ground"
11. Brooke Fraser "Jack Kerouac"
12. Ben Fuller "California"
13. Donavon Frankenreiter "Hold On"
14. Lissie "Cuckoo"
15. The Heyday "Good Old Days"
16. Churchill "Miles"
17. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors "Live Forever"
18. Haroula Rose "Brand New Start"
19. Sarah Jaffe "Summer Begs"
20. John Craigie "All Through Montana"

Listen live to the entire playlist in the music player in the right sidebar all month long during January.

SUCCESS! 365 Reviews In 365 Days

On January 1, 2010, THISisMODERN.net set out to accomplish a very elaborate goal: post 365 reviews in 365 days to commemorate the site's 10th year in existence. The end result is complete success. Here's a few fun facts about the 365 reviews:

• 315 different artists had albums, EPs, or singles reviewed
• 3 DVDs were reviewed
• 9 compilation albums featuring various artists were reviewed
• During the month of December, 15 Christmas albums, EPs, and singles were reviewed
• Most reviews of one artist: Matthew Mayfield (5 EPs, including a Christmas EP)
• All 30 of THISisMODERN.net's top 30 albums of 2010 were reviewed
• On December 31st, the review posted was the only album to be reviewed which is not yet available for purchase: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors' "Chasing Someday" (releasing on February 8, 2011)

Thanks to all of the fans, industry reps, publicists, and artists who helped to make 2010 an excellent year for THISisMODERN.net. 2011 will surely be a great year for music and THISisMODERN.net will be there to help bring it all to the masses.

THE 30 BEST ALBUMS OF 2010

1. Jack Johnson - To The Sea
2. Guster - Easy Wonderful
3. Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away
4. Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms
5. John Butler Trio - April Uprising
6. Angus & Julia Stone - Down The Way
7. Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs - God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise
8. Vampire Weekend - Contra
9. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
10. Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown
11. Matt Costa - Mobile Chateau
12. ALO - Man Of The World
13. Barefoot Truth - Threads
14. Pete Francis - The Movie We Are In
15. JBM - Not Even In July
16. The Black Keys - Brothers
17. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
18. The Cat Empire - Cinema
19. Lissie - Catching A Tiger
20. Good Old War - Good Old War
21. Broken Bells - Broken Bells
22. Rogue Wave - Permalight
23. Griffin House - The Learner
24. Greg Laswell - Take A Bow
25. Joshua Radin - The Rock And The Tide
26. Benjy Davis Project - Lost Souls Like Us
27. Dirty Heads - Any Port In A Storm (Special Edition)
28. Iration - Time Bomb
29. Joe Pug - Messenger
30. Pete Yorn - Pete Yorn

All of these albums can be purchased by clicking here.


If you are interested in seeing what albums make the top 30 in previous years click here for the archive. To purchase albums on previous top 30 lists click here.

CD REVIEW: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors "Chasing Someday"

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are road warriors, and although they have a fanbase that is as big as any major label act, they have never really broken out on the national scene like they should. All that is going to change in 2011 with the release of their newest, and best, album. Drew and company, which includes his wife (who takes over lead vocals on one track), have put together a collection of songs that borders on perfection. Working with a well renowned producer in their hometown of Nashville, the band has put together an album that is sure to see hit after hit after hit on the radio in the year to come. "Live Forever" has already been met with some popular success after appearing on television, but the songs "Someday," "Anywhere But Here," "Can't Get Enough Of You," and "Fire And Dynamite" all have the potential to become huge for the band. They will surely all become excellent staples of the band's live sets. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are a band to watch in the new year, and as one of the first albums to be released in 2011, it's destined to remain on plenty of "best of" lists throughout the entire year.

CD REVIEW: Gatlin Elms "Carry Me Home"

Maybe not a name that many have heard of, Gatlin Elms' brand of indie pop rock is both familiar and intriguing. Not many bands sound exactly like this so it's hard to nail down a strict comparison. That in itself makes this album a great one. The songs "Letting Go" and "This Is Life" could easily find their way onto any rock or pop radio station anywhere in the country. You might find yourself hearing elements of Snow Patrol or even Mat Kearney in some of the songs. Gatlin Elms is one of those unique cases where you are unable to pigeonhole them into one specific genre, making their avenues for success much wider than usual. This album is going to turn the heads that need to be turned and make new fans out of a lot of unsuspecting people.

CD REVIEW: Andrew Belle "Live At Double Door, June 26, 2010"

Andrew Belle is one of the brightest talents to emerge onto the scene in 2010. He is a superb songwriter and an equally impressive performer. Whether its in the studio or live on stage, his presence behind the microphone shows maturity and confidence well beyond his years. This latest release is another free download that Belle has given to his fans of yet another excellent show. Belle pulls out all the stops and delivers some of his best performances of songs such as the hit "Static Waves" and "In My Veins." Friend and musician Andy Davis makes a guest appearance for the song "Stand By Me," which is one of Belle's best live recordings to date. Andrew Belle is sure to continue on the same incredible path in the new year, connecting to his fans through music that every musician would be lucky to be able to create.

CD REVIEW: Pepper "Stitches"

Punk rock reggae artist Pepper is back with a short collection of new songs, adding to their intense catalogue with four new tracks that familiar and catchy. "Wake Up" and "Mirror" are destined to join the ranks of their previous hits as staples amongst the band's live shows and countless surf rock playlists. Pepper have a unique way of combining their SoCal sound with their Hawaiian roots so as not to sound like a Sublime ripoff, and on this EP they begin to show maturity along with their continued creativity. Their lyrics are fun as usual, and they musicianship is evident on the acoustic version of "Mirror" that is also included. This may just be a tease from the boys from Kona, but it definitely whets the appetite for a new Pepper full length album.

CD REVIEW: Pete Yorn "Pete Yorn"

Pete Yorn has been releasing music faster than most artists, but it's not that he's got so much new stuff that he's got to get out, it's the old projects that are finally seeing the light of day. His duet album with Scarlett Johansson was last year's endeavour, and this time it's his work with producer/musician Frank Black (Black Francis, The Pixies, Frank Black & The Catholics) that is hitting the airwaves. This is Pete showing off his rock chops more than ever before. He's released a number of album always mixing folk and rock and pop in such a way that is distinct and accessible. This time, he's embracing his rock self and showcasing his abilities to shred on guitar and write great rock songs. "Velcro Shoes" is by far the best song on the album and one of Yorn's best compositions ever. "Paradise Cove I" is the original incarnation of a song that Pete released on his most recent solo record, showing off the true bare bones nature of the song. "Precious Stone" is blowing up on the radio, and rightfully so as it is hook filled and completely jams. Frank Black's signature is all over the album, as his Pixies roots show through on some songs and the entire disc sounds like a throwback to mid nineties alternative rock. Pete Yorn may not have reinvented himself with this release, but he surely showcased that he is a old school rocker at his core.