Artist Spotlight of the Year: The Foresters

Proud to announce that The Foresters have been crowned this year's winner in the Artist Spotlight of the Year award! This talented group of youngsters from Bethany, Connecticut were Artist Spotlight subjects back in August and show that age ain't nothing but a number, and these kids are more than capable of crafting simple and cohesive pop-punk tunes similar to the likes of blink-182 and Sum 41. I was impressed with this group of brothers immediately upon first listen, and I have full confidence that they have the drive and determination to take everything they learned and move on to the next step in their musical careers.

And this marks my last blog post of the year! Thanks once again to all my readers who have made this blog infinitely more important to me than anything else I ever dreamed about. I'll be taking some time off during the holidays, so my next blog post won't come until January 7th! Thanks once again to everyone for all the nice compliments on my blog and if you need to get in touch with me, friend me on Facebook here and follow me on Twitter right here. Happy holidays everyone and I'll see all you guys in 2013! (unless the world ends before this weekend according to the Mayans). 

Canary Release Cover Video For The Allman Brothers "Whipping Post"

Boston based band Canary (and former Artist Spotlight subject), have just released their cover video of The Allman Brothers "Whipping Post". The video features the band putting their own unique take on the classic track with a little holiday touch added to it with the Christmas lights providing for a perfect backdrop and allowing the band to act naturally while putting everything in perspective on this terrific cover designed to get you into the holiday spirit.

For more information on Canary, head on over to their Facebook page here, their Twitter is right here, and you can visit their official website right over here.

Top Songs of 2012

Continuing my year-end roundup with a look back at some of the songs we heard in our cars or on our iPods this past year. 2012 was the breakout year for fun., who had an immediate smash with 'We Are Young" and "Some Nights", the title track from their album also released this year. Grouplove scored a huge smash with "Tongue Tied", which made its way to #1 this year on the Hot Alternative Songs chart, and unless you been living under a cave recently, there was no way to avoid the summer smash, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" which was heard everywhere and inspired countless parodies that can be found everywhere on YouTube. Here's my rundown on some of the biggest tracks that defined the year of 2012:

Gotye f/ Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know
fun. f/ Janelle Monae - We Are Young
Grouplove - Tongue Tied
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Vacationer - Everyone Knows
Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks
Foster The People - Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)
The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling
Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
Walk The Moon - Anna Sun
Imagine Dragons - It's Time
The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
Alabama Shakes - Hold On
Vacationer - Trip
Phillip Phillips - Home
All Time Low - The Reckless and the Brave
fun. - Some Nights
Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait
Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger

Were there any songs you've heard this year that aren't on the list? Feel free to post them in the comments section directly below or get in touch with me via Facebook or Twitter to create the ultimate playlist for 2012!

Top 10 Albums of 2012

It's that time of year again where I reveal the Top 10 albums that made the greatest impact on me this year. 2012 was a terrific year for some break out acts including fun., Vacationer, Of Monsters and Men, and The Sheepdogs while more established stars like Yellowcard and Mumford & Sons put out career defining material this year. The list that follows is the 10 albums that are most deserving the honor of being the albums that stood out the most from the hundreds of other albums that were released within the same calendar year. And without further ado, here is my list:

Vacationer - Gone

Philadelphia, PA's own Vacationer made a huge impression with their debut release Gone. The album was a summer ready package, with aural pleasures awaiting you at every turn and featuring the lead vocals of Kenny Vasoli to provide the perfect accompaniment to this escapist delight that put everything in perspective this year, whether it was driving around with your windows down, or relaxing in your backyard sipping on a beverage. Some recommended tracks from this release to check out include "Everyone Knows", "Good As New", "Trip", "Gone", and "Great Love".

fun. - Some Nights

2012 was known as the breakout year for the indie band fun. with their breakthrough release, Some Nights. The NYC bred band features lead singer Nate Ruess and his band of cohorts delivering an outstanding performance that showcases the band's raw and natural talent for making indie music accessible to the pop crowd, while still retaining that indie street cred and sensibility that they have worked so hard to build up over the years. Songs on this album that you'll fall head over heels for include "We Are Young (f/Janelle Monae)", "Some Nights", and "Carry On".

Of Monsters and Men - My Head Is An Animal

Of Monsters and Men made a splash on the shores of America with their debut release, My Head Is An Animal. The Icelandic bred folk band made an instant impact with an impressive collection of compositions that speaks to mind about all the individual and collective talents that make up the group and their no frills, organic mindset that makes this album different from all the others that were released this year. Recommended songs for your listening pleasure include the impressive "Little Talks", "Mountain Sound", and "Six Weeks".

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods

Los Angeles, CA's own Silversun Pickups made an impressive return with their new release, Neck of The Woods. The album presented the group in a more mature, focused stream of consciousness with an emotionally deep and signifying album that shows the level of maturity that this group has made from their breakout release, 2006's "Carnavas" that only gets better and better in time. Songs that made a great first impression include "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)", "The Pit", and "Here We Are (Chancer)".

Yellowcard - Southern Air

Jacksonville, Florida's own Yellowcard made an impressive return to form with their all new release, Southern Air. The violin laden band continued to build upon the leaps and bounds made by their previous release, last year's When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes, and gave an accurate portrayal of where the band is currently in their personal and professional lives, and their drive and ambition prove that they are one of the preeminent bands currently living out their dreams and never changing who they are. Some impressive works from this collection include "Always Summer", "Here I Am Alive", and "Telescope".

The Sheepdogs - The Sheepdogs

Hailing from the great white north, Saksatoon, Sakaschetwan Canada to be exact, The Sheepdogs made a terrific entrance with their self titled debut album. The effort is a collection of Southern rock influenced jams with a sharply focused dynamic that hearkens back to the mid 70's from bands such as The Allman Brothers and Sly and the Family Stone with a modern touch thrown in for good measure. Some tracks for you to discover include "The Way It Is", "Feeling Good", "Alright OK", "Laid Back", and "Never Gonna Get My Love".

All Time Low - Don't Panic

Balitmore, Maryland's favorite pop-punk sons All Time Low made another spectacular album with Don't Panic. The effort is an authentic and honest album that features lead vocalist Alex Gaskarth at the top of his game and all the other members, guitarist Jack Barakat, drummer Rian Dawson, and bassist Zack Merrick each have contributed a great deal to the band's success to this point and their devoted and passionate fanbase takes to heart their lyrics that have meant so much to them. Some standout tunes from this collection include "The Reckless and the Brave", "For Baltimore", "Somewhere in Neverland", "Backseat Serenade", and "Outlines".

Mumford & Sons - Babel

London, England's folk rock sensations Mumford & Sons avoided the sophomore slump with a terrific follow up effort, Babel. The band, fronted by Marcus Mumford has spearheaded the folk rock movement that has been taking shape in the last few years, but this album proves that it's here to stay with a honest and thought provoking album that really makes you think, and stop and stare in awe of the authenticity of the group and what they make you feel as you're listening to them. The songs that will stand out to you the most on this one include the incredible "I Will Wait", "Ghosts That We Knew", "Lover of the Light", and "Babel".

 Circa Survive - Violent Waves

Philadelphia, PA's own Circa Survive made another impressive body of work with their latest album, Violent Waves. The group, featuring the jaw dropping vocals of frontman Anthony Green, continued their mission of building upon the energy of their previous releases, and satisfying their devoted fanbase that has helped spread their prowess word of mouth and has put them right at the forefront of bands representing the state of Pennsylvania. Some standout tracks from this one include "Sharp Practice", "My Only Friend", and "Phantasmagoria".

The Avett Brothers - The Carpenter

Concord, North Carolina's native sons The Avett Brothers made their return with their stunning effort, The Carpenter. The collection was a raw, honest mixture of indie folk rhythms mixed in with a strong lyrical sensibility that made this release one of their finest to date and is one that best expresses the brothers' creative dynamic that has allowed them to get better and better with each and every album that they make. Some tracks for you to have a listen at include "Live and Die", "Winter in My Heart", and "I Never Knew You".

And there you have it, my 10 favorite albums of 2012! Any albums that I may have missed that you feel deserve an honorable mention here on the blog? Leave your comments here on the blog or post them on the blog's Facebook and Twitter pages to let me know what albums were your favorites this year.
 

Maycomb - I Opened My Heart To Caustic Things

Wolverhampton, England's own Maycomb have landed on the scene with their debut release, I Opened My Heart To Caustic Things. The British pop-punkers have an energetic and enthusiastic pop-punk sound that will definitely open up your mind as to what's on the other side of the pond and what they have to bring to the table as well.

We start things off with "Old Gold", a refreshing melodic opus that introduces us to a band that knows from the start what they want to sound like and what impact they want to have on their prospective listening audience currently listening. "Dynamiter" is another charged up rocker that features sharp and precise guitar riffs coupled with introspective lyrics that express the band's immensely creative dynamic that is on full display here. "Sinking Song" brings down the melodic intensity a bit and relies upon the vocals and instrumentation at hand to create a track that is diverse and not like the previous ones that we encountered at the beginning of the album.

The second half of the disc takes shape with "When The Time Comes" a solid mid-tempo rocker that puts a heavy emphasis on the vocals that have been a main focus of the album up until this point, most largely due to the instrumentation around that makes everyone's job in the band that much enjoyable. "Jetsam" is a quick, focused rocker clocking in at just under 2 and a half minutes that demonstrates the band's dynamic and their ability to craft sonic pleasures in such a quick span of time. We get ready to close out the disc with my personal favorite off the album "Also Ran", a perfect combination of vivacious pop-punk rhythms, terrific vocalization, and deep instrumentation from everyone involved makes this track a real treat and a standout from the band's catalog. "Whatever Happens, Happens" is another standout track that exemplifies the group's talents in one fell swoop and is a great way to close out a well rounded and executed album as a whole. It's great to see bands from across the pond in England adopting many of the same musical tactics that alot of upstart American bands are currently implementing today, and it makes for an all around pleasant and enjoyable listening experience from Maycomb in particular that shows us that the British pop-punk scene is not that much different from the American scene at all.

In conclusion, a well rehearsed and constructed effort from Maycomb, who are starting to turn heads over here in the States with an impressive collection of works that clearly demonstrates the band's talents and what they have accomplished up until this point.

                                                                                                                       Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. New Storms
2. Old Gold
3. Dynamiter
4. I Am Constantly A Variable
5. Sinking Song
6. Out Of Darkness Cometh Light
7. When The Time Comes
8. Jetsam
9. Start Missing Everybody
10. Also Ran
11. Whatever Happens, Happens 

2013 Grammy Nominations Announced!

Nominations for the 55th annual Grammy Awards were announced last night in a live broadcast from Nashville on CBS. fun., The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, and Frank Ocean led the pack with a total of 6 nominations apiece. fun. scored nominations in all four of the major categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Kelly Clarkson also scored major nods in the Record and Song of the Year categories with her song "Stronger". Here is a selected list of this year's nominees:

Album of the Year

The Black Keys - El Camino
fun. - Some Nights
Mumford & Sons - Babel
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
Jack White - Blunderbuss

Record of the Year

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
fun. f/ Janelle Monae - We Are Young
Gotye f/ Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know
Frank Ocean - Thinkin' About You
Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Song of the Year

Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Miguel - Adorn
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
fun. f/ Janelle Monae - We Are Young

Best New Artist

Alabama Shakes
fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Best Pop Vocal Album

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
fun. - Some Nights
Maroon 5 - Overexposed
Pink - The Truth About Love

Best Pop Solo Performance

Adele - Set Fire To The Rain
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Katy Perry - Wide Awake
Rihanna - Where Have You Been

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out
fun. f/ Janelle Monae - We Are Young
Gotye f/ Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know
LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It
Maroon 5 f/ Wiz Khalifa - Payphone

Best Alternative Album

Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel
Bjork - Biophilia
Gotye - Making Mirrors
M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Tom Waits - Bad As Me

Best Rock Performance

Alabama Shakes - Hold On
The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
Coldplay - Charlie Brown
Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait
Bruce Springsteen - We Take Care Of Our Own

Best Rock Song

Jack White - Freedom At 21
Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait
The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
Muse - Madness
Bruce Springsteen - We Take Care Of Our Own

Best Rock Album

The Black Keys - El Camino
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Muse - The 2nd Law
Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
Jack White - Blunderbuss

The 55th annual Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 10th at 8pm on CBS. As with last year's ceremony, I will be live blogging this year's ceremony via Facebook and Twitter so that you can stay up to date with the ceremony as you're watching it on TV. As the ceremony draws closer, I'll also give you my predictions as to who will take home the most hardware this year!

Top Music News Stories of 2012

2012 was a hectic, tragic, and surprising year in the world of music. From the deaths of Whitney Houston and Adam Yauch, to the sale of WFNX to Clear Channel, there have been lots of notable newsmaking stories that have shaped and impacted our lives in one way, shape or form. Here's my rundown on the 5 most newsworthy music news stories of the past year:

WFNX Sold To Clear Channel Entertainment

I was the first one to break this story on the morning of May 16th as the unfortunate announcement came in that WFNX was to be sold to Clear Channel and subsequently, all DJ's and staff members were fired. It was a difficult and heartbreaking story to report on, and it was one that I was reluctant to post since I couldn't come to terms with how major this story would become. WFNX has been the radio station largely responsible for my music tastes up until this point, and was the outlet that initially got me into listening to alternative and indie music. They probably did the best job of breaking new Boston area bands better than any other station in New England and were known the world over for their cutting edge style that set them apart from their contemporaries in the radio world. I will forever be grateful to WFNX for introducing me to the world of music as I know it today.

The Death of Whitney Houston

Just a day before music's biggest evening, The Grammys, a report surfaced that pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel where she was due to make an appearance at a pre-Grammy party hosted by her mentor Clive Davis. An unfortunate and tragic end to a stunning talent who immediately made an impact on the music scene when she released her debut album in 1985, and reached superstardom after her take of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" shot to #1 worldwide and made the soundtrack to the film, The Bodyguard, one of the best selling soundtracks in music history with close to 20 million in sales. Her career stalled in recent years, as she became known for her exploits with husband Bobby Brown that made her a front page regular on supermarket tabloids all across the country. A not entirely surprising end to a promising and talented career, much like the same way Amy Winehouse died.

The Death of Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch

Another prominent musician who left us this past year was Beastie Boys Adam Yauch, who died of salivary gland cancer after first being diagnosed 3 years ago. Adam Yauch was an extremely talented artist who helped create the Beastie Boys and released their acclaimed debut album Licensed To Ill in 1986, selling over 10 million copies and became an influential group in the world of hip-hop. The group were also known for their extraordinary humanitarian efforts, and were heavily involved in the Tibet independence movement, which influenced Adam to become a practicing Buddhist and went on a Vegan diet as well after first being diagnosed with cancer. He was an immense talent who helped transition those who traditionally only listened to rock music, and helped them become hip-hop fans.

The Starting Line Announce 10th Anniversary "Say It Like You Mean It" Tour

One of my favorite pop-punk bands ever The Starting Line, announced earlier this past summer that they'll be embarking on a 10th anniversary tour commemorating the release of their debut album "Say It Like You Mean It". This was the announcement that myself and thousands of other Starting Line fans were clamoring for quite some time, and providing for an immediate jolt of excitement and anticipation for the start of the tour, which will be stopping by The Paradise in Boston on December 27th. Yours truly will be there in attendance, and I can't wait to hear one of the seminal albums of my youth live from back to end in one extraordinary night for sure.

Harvard Baseball Team Covers Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe"

One of the more entertaining and enjoyable news stories from this past year was the hilarious and well thought out cover video of the Harvard University baseball team and their take on this summer's inescapable jam, "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. The video features the band lip-synching the words to the song, while performing a syncopated dancing routine using their hands and trying so hard not to crack up laughing while doing it at the same time. If you watch closely, you'll see in the left hand corner of the screen one member of the team who is taking a nap. That person is actually asleep and was not intended to be part of the video, but made the video even that more enjoyable. All throughout, this video was a hilarious and entertaining experience that is worthy of replaying over and over again.

Cfit - Triage

Dublin, Ireland's own Cfit have released their debut album titled "Triage". The collection is a clever and intriguing mix of standard alternative rhythms mixed in with slight electronic musical shifts that make this album extremely diverse and well worth your listening time.

The disc opens up with "Great Pressure", an eerie, electronic fueled mix that features synthesized vocals and a mixture of standard issue rock rhythms that show off the band's blend of electro fueled rock clearly and accurately. "Don't Sweat The Small Shit" tones down the melodic intensity quite a bit, and finds a common balance between the electro rhythms and the high intensity rock rhythms with a decidedly more toned down effort this time around. "Sideways" takes a detour into folk rock territory with a stripped down, acoustic number that shows off the band's diversity and their capabilities beyond the electronic realm. "Base Isolation" features many of the similar musical structures found in the earlier portions of the album, and shows that the band don't stick within one segment or genre of music, but feel the need to move around vigorously, which sets the band apart from the others and puts them on a higher pedestal as well.

We segue way into the second half of the disc with "Dig Up", an ethereal sonic delight with a terrific blend of acoustic guitars and a slight electronic touch to it that puts this track in a class all its own. The disc starts to draw to a close on "Plausible Deniability" a solid, well put together track that features slight chime elements heard in the backdrop that provide for a terrific way to close out the effort here. The disc ultimately concludes on "Don't Sweat The Smaller Shit", a sequel to the earlier track that features an exquisite blend of electronically guided rhythms mixed in with a strong musical sensibility and charisma that puts the finishing touches on an entertaining and dynamic effort heard here today. It's really eye opening to see other bands dabble in the electronic genre, sometimes with subtle elements and other times with extreme shifts into that field. This band is able to find their comfort zone between the rock and electronic rhythms that bridges the gap long left in between for quite some time.

In retrospect, a terrific and consistent collection from Cfit, who are making their mark on U.S. music listeners with a well gathered collection of tracks that defines the band's style and what they bring to the musical table with great enthusiasm and integrity.

                                                                                                                                Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Great Pressure
2. Don't Sweat The Small Shit
3. The Static
4. Sideways
5. Base Isolation
6. Chemical Memory
7. Dig Up
8. Throw The Babies To The Wolves
9. Plausible Deniability
10. Don't Sweat The Smaller Shit

Interview w/ F.O.O.S.

Bringing to you this week another entry in my ongoing interview series! This week, we catch up with Torino, Italy based electro-rock outfit F.O.O.S. The band has received coverage here on the blog previously and we touch base with them to find out a little more about them, how their name originated, and what they have to offer you musically. Here is the transcript from that interview:


Can you give your names and your roles in the band?

Hi everybody, hi Pete, it's a pleasure to be again your "guest" on this kick-ass blog. We are a duo: Fabrizio and Simone. Concerning the live set, Fabrizio plays drums and controls part of the electronic sounds and he also sings as backing vocals; Simone is the lead singer and plays guitar and synths.

How did you guys meet and when did the band form?

We've met thanks to common friends and something like a year later we started working together on this project. We've been in tune with each other since the beginning: same views on how music should be written and played. It's quite rare, especially in Italy! We can say F.O.O.S. were born in late 2010.

How did you come up with the name F.O.O.S. for your band name and what does it stand for?

The story of the band name is quite funny. At the beginning it was "Four Out Of Seven", because we had rehearsals four days a week, but we didn't like it that much so we started looking for something more engaging, snappier and more connected to our music. Many names came out of our minds, like "Flunked Out Of Society", "Fallen Out Of Space" and well... suddenly we realized that all our options were made of 4 words starting with F, O, O, S ! And, since we found very hard to choose, we decided to keep them all in one acronym. So the name means really a lot of things! This is why we prefer to be known just as F.O.O.S., we don't want to give a meaning more importance than to another: each one of them is a face of our multifaceted identity.

Describe your music for those who may not be familiar with you guys.

Ouch... We honestly find very hard to talk about our music, you know, we play songs to avoid using words to express our feelings and ideas. Anyway, we'll give it a try! We'll use the words everyone can find in our biography on the official site (http://foos-official.com): "a hybrid genre of rock with strong electronic elements". We love the energy of rock, but dislike the old sounds. We love the sound of electronic music, but don't want to lose the power of a live band. So we decided to mix the pro of both styles to create a new one. Let us know if we hit the bullseye, rrrrrrrreaders! We think so.

What bands and/or artists does your music draw influence from?

Listeners say they notice a taste of Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy and Radiohead in our songs, which are all bands we love. But we've also been compared to bands we do not listen to that much, like Rammstein or KMFDM.

What is the music scene like in Torino, Italy where you guys originate?

Mmm... Torino has several cool bands and it's the same for many other cities in Italy... yet we have many problems in our music scene. One is there is no real cooperation between bands. Generally the relationship between bands here tends to be much more similar to rivalry than mutual support. But the biggest problems are the lack of organization of the venues and the reluctance towards new sounds. And it gets even worse if you sing in English... This is why we had the best live experiences outside Italy (UK and Germany) and we're focusing the promotion of the project on the UK and the US. We find it harder to get gratification in Italy than in other countries. Just think almost 4000 of the 12000 views of our video "The Monster" on Youtube (http://youtu.be/X_obHuu4DvI) are from the US and almost 3000 from Russia. Italy is at the 4° place with 1500.

What are some of your favorite songs that you've written?

Talking about our new album "Showcase", let's say the songs that best represent the concept behind the work are "Showcase", "G.O.L.", "Modernmorphosys", "Mirror Labyrinth". But the funniest to play live are "Hot Coals" and "The Monster" without doubt. We cannot really say we have favorite songs, each one of them is an essential piece of the album.

What do you guys like to do in your spare time away from recording?

All our spare time is given to music. And we consider music not only a passion but a job as well, we're very serious about it. So... actually we do not have spare time. And our girls love it.

Do you guys have any new music coming up on the horizon?

We've just released an album, but we're already writing new stuff. Anyway our priority is the promotion of the album right now.

Any last words to your fans who may be reading this?

Hell yeah: listen to our music. That's all we ask, the rest will come. If you like what you hear and want to buy the album on iTunes or its physical limited edition or just add us on facebook and twitter, well, all you have to do is visit our official site (http://foos-official.com). You'll find all you need rrrrrright there! Thanks, readers! Thanks, Pete! We loved the interview. Hope we'll get a chance to repeat this with another album in our hands as soon as possible. Bye everybody! Stay F.O.O.S.

Thanks once again to Fabrizio and Simone for taking out some of their time to do this interview! For more information on F.O.O.S. 'Like' them on Facebook right here and follow them on Twitter right here.

Hey Ice Machine - Hey Ice Machine

Boston's own Hey Ice Machine have released their long-awaited self titled debut album. The release is an eclectic and diverse collection of indie leaning tracks that reveal different facets of the band's personality and show off the band's distinct sound that is all their own.

We start things off with "I've Been Told" a melodic, densely layered track that gives off an old school, mid 70's rock vibe with elegant instrumentation and a sharply focused musical outlook that makes the band stand out prominently from the get-go. "Trees" takes it down a couple of notches with an toned down track that shows off the band's diversity and their ability to think outside of the box to create songs in varying degrees of tempos. My favorite track off the release is "Oh Please Don't" a refreshing, melodic jolt that does a terrific job of accurately portraying the band's sound with full bodied guitar riffs and sharp, driven vocals that is the highlight of an already well traveled album. "Make Me Feel Good" has an old-school country vibe to it that gives us a clear sense of the album's direction and what types of sounds we can expect to hear as the disc continues to roll along at a breezy pace.

The second half of the album begins with "Outlier", featuring a solid percussion rhythm that is more downtempo than the tracks heard on the first half, but still retains the same wavelengths that we heard as a whole. "Long Life To Live" is a warm, inviting track with comforting rhythms and a positive outlook that makes you appreciate the thoughtfulness of all the members while creating this track in the studio. We start to close things out with "When You Roam", an upbeat, melodic blast that is the perfect track for you to groove along to and show off the album's roaming and carefree spirit put on full display right here. "All Messed Up" closes out the album here with a quick moving minute and three quarters of melodic goodness that does a great job of highlighting all the sounds that we've come in contact with on our journey to the album's conclusion and accurately portrays the album's sound. It's great to see local area bands trying out different musical styles that fit them like gloves, and not stick to the current musical trends that are permeating the overall musical landscape of the country and give the average musical listener something new and inviting that will make them come back for more and stay true to their respective music scenes.

Overall, a well executed and well measured album from Hey Ice Machine, who have put themselves on the local music radar with a densely layered effort that gives the average musical listener a break from all the usual sounds that we're accustomed to on the radio and gives us a sense of all the sounds that are around us today.

                                                                                                                                 Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. I've Been Told
2. Trees
3. Look On Your Face
4. Oh Please Don't
5. Make Me Feel Good
6. Throw 'Em Back & Forth
7. Outlier
8. Long Life To live
9. When You Roam
10. All Messed Up   

2012 Artist Spotlight of the Year Nominees!

It's that time of year again where we take a look back at all the amazing and talented breakthrough artists I've covered this year, where one of them will receive the crown of Artist Spotlight of the Year! This has been an exceptional year where so many diverse and taelnted artists from the New England area and beyond were covered in one way, shape, or form here on this blog and have received increased exposure after they were featured here on MusicBoxPete. Of the 48 Artist Spotlight features I've done this year, the list has been whittled down to a list of 5 nominees that will be voted on by you guys, the readers! And without further ado, here is the list of those nominees:

                                                                 Troy Cartwright

                                                                          Helicopria

                                                                         Mojo Kick

                                                                     Me vs. Gravity

                                                                      The Foresters

To vote for your favorite band, go to the poll in the upper right hand corner of the page, and simply select which artist you liked the best from this year's crop of Artist Spotlight candidates! Voting ends on December 20th and the winner will be announced the same day! Make your voice heard and vote for your favorite Artist Spotlight now!

Phillip Phillips - The World From The Side Of The Moon

American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips has finally released his much anticipated debut solo album, The World From The Side Of The Moon. The Leesburg, GA native has been gaining huge airplay for his debut single "Home", which he performed immediately after he won and has become a folk rock anthem this year that shows what a raw and natural talent this guy has and how immensely creative he is as well.

We start the disc off with "Man On The Moon", a steady and focused melodic rocker that shows off Phillip's gravelly and organic vocals that are something to behold and show off the bare bones, emotional intensity that this guy has and is unlike any other performer currently out there today. My favorite track off the disc is the inescapable "Home", an immensely beautiful and passionate ballad that evokes the new folk movement of Mumford & Sons with an explosive melodic charge that never lets up until the very end and is a sound to behold in full force here. "Hold On" is a breezy, refreshing tune that is a perfect tune to wake up to and take a ride through the country as you experience the wondrous musical soundscapes that are coming your way with down home acoustic guitar arrangements and Phillip's Southern inspired vocals that sound just as incredible as they were on American Idol. "Tell Me A Story" is a campfire inspired, sing along jam that brings everyone together to bond through the power of music and experience the magic unfold right before your very eyes and ears as Phillip makes you feel right at home on this comforting piece.

The second half kicks off with "Where We Came From", a relaxing and inviting slice of folk heaven with Phillip's vocals once again taking charge on this entertaining tune right here. "Drive Me" picks it up a couple of notches with a bombastic and upbeat tune that shows off Phillip's diversity as an artist and his ability to transcribe emotion for us in a way that others cannot. "Can't Go Wrong" strikes an immediate chord with its lush guitar arrangements and Phillip once again finding his place with a honest and straightforward tune brought forth here. The disc starts to draw to a close on "A Fool's Dance", an appropriate and earthy ballad that brings forth about a sense of closure and finality as the disc's waning minutes creep on ever so slowly. The disc ultimately concludes on "So Easy" a stripped down, no frills track that best encapsulates the overall sound of the album and the desired result of the album which has overall been achieved with a strong sense of identity and resourcefulness that makes it stand out from the other albums out on the scene today clamoring for attention. When I first saw Phillip on the audition round last year on Idol, I was enthralled with his organic stage presence and his down home Southern charm that really left an impression on me and stood out immensely from the other performers competing on the show. Phillip is a truly talented and gifted individual who has a knack for bringing people together through the power of music and give people something that they can't get anywhere else.

All and all, a well constructed and conceived effort here from Phillip Phillips, who has clearly shown that he deserved the American Idol crown and is a performer we'll be hearing more from in the years to come and is a true inspiration that proves that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.

                                                                                                                            Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Man on the Moon
2. Home
3. Gone, Gone, Gone
4. Hold On
5. Tell Me A Story
6. Get Up Get Down
7. Where We Came From
8. Drive Me
9. Wanted Is Love
10. Can't Go Wrong
11. A Fool's Dance
12. So Easy   

Artist Spotlight: We Are Forever

Time for another edition of Artist Spotlight for the week! Today, we head over to the home of the Colts, Indianapolis, IN and unwrap the sounds of We Are Forever. The group consists of Aren David on lead vocals, Alex Ayala on drums, Ricky Ayala on guitar, and Alex Nauth on bass. The group has a youthful, straightforward pop-punk sound similar to that of All Time Low and Cartel with a unique sound that is especially tailored made for their audience who identifies with the group and relates to many of the situations mentioned in their lyrics. I was impressed with the band's ability to create simple structured tunes without the need of any extraneous electronic devices to amplify the band's sound or any tacky musical gimmicks promoted by a corporate label, these guys are the real deal and have the musical dexterity and maturity to pull it all off. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "Seasons" and "Wasted Nights".

For more information on the boys in We Are Forever, head on over to their Facebook page right here where you can listen to some of the band's music directly from the page using the 'Music' tab. The band can also be followed on Twitter by clicking here and see what the guys are doing this very minute and you can interact with them as well! (The band members also have individual Twitter accounts). If you would like to purchase the band's music, you can do so via iTunes by clicking here or you can stream their debut EP "Seasons" directly on Spotify!

Deftones - Koi No Yokan

Sacramento, California's finest Deftones are back at it again with their all new studio release, their seventh titled Koi No Yokan. The follow up to 2010's Diamond Eyes finds the nu metalers continuing to build upon their sound they initially discovered on their debut release Adrenaline way back in 1995, but with a more modern twist to it that has made them the centerpiece of the alt-metal scene and have made them so respected all this time for everything they have done for their respective genre.

The disc blasts off with "Swerve City", a fluid, consistent rocker that sets everything in motion with frontman Chino Moreno's high energy and bombastic vocal outlook setting the stage for the rest of the album to come and all of the intricate musical twists and turns this disc is bound to make. My favorite track off the disc is "Romantic Dreams", an extremely downtempo, moody number where you can instantly detect the overall emotional output of the song and what emotions you'll be feeling as you listen to it, something that is very rare these days. "Poltergeist" picks up that intense, melodic energy that we had been anticipating since the album commenced with Chino's vocal power emanating strongly from all crevices of the song with remarkable precision. "Entombed" features a slight chord progression that decreases the amount of energy considerably from the previous song, but still has a subtle calmness to it that makes you feel at ease right away.

We venture into the second half of the disc where we stumble across "Tempest", a sprawling 6 minute jam that is a moody, transient rocker that depends on very little but Chino's quiet and calming vocal presence that allows the instruments to do all the rest and flow naturally like a waterfall. "Gauze" feeds on the energy of the guitar riffs and Chino's vocal talents to create a multi-layered track that is more concise and musically adventurous than the prior tracks are. We get ready to end it all here with "Goon Squad" an eerie, moody rocker that builds up until a barrage of guitars and Chino's powerful vocal abilities break out and ramp up the velocity factor considerably to give us a great charge as we head into the dark. "What Happened To You?" ends it all here on a varied, consistent rocker that features great guitar interludes and Chino's powerful vocal presence making sure the album ends much like the same way it began in the first place with solid and straightforward guitar riffs and a fluid, consistent approach that allows each song to be connected with one another in some way. I was impressed with Deftones when I first heard them back in 2000 after they released White Pony, and how they were able to craft songs that had a certain calmness to it, before the songs broke out in a near metal fashion with cutting edge guitar riffs and loud passionate vocals present at every turn that really speaks to mind about the sheer influence that Deftones have had on a generation of music listeners growing up in the early 2000's.

Looking back, another solid and well orchestrated effort from Deftones, who have continued to prove that they're worth every penny on a solid and straightforward collection of songs that show why they're one of the most consistent and well known groups out there in the alt-metal scene today.

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing

1. Swerve City
2. Romantic Dreams
3. Leathers
4. Poltergeist
5. Entombed
6. Graphic Nature
7. Tempest
8. Gauze
9. Rosemary
10. Goon Squad
11. What Happened To You? 

Brian Medlin Releases New Music Video For "Swing Low"!

Philadelphia, PA based singer-songwriter Brian Medlin has released a brand new music video for the song titled "Swing Low", a cut from his Nightmares EP which was released a little over a year ago. The visually stunning clip was directed by R.E. Medlin (Brian's brother) and features a clip of a blushing bride walking across a lush green field, presumably to get married, while she witnesses a strange man coming towards her in the distance. He momentarily vanishes, then suddenly reappears throwing a bucket of mud in her face, ruining her dress and leaving her in shock and despair and causing a emotional freefall in the process. The clip also features shots of her wedding dress burning and the woman drowning in a sea of mud which makes for an eerie and visually appealing video to be desired here.

For more information on Brian Medlin, head on over to his Facebook music page right here where you can check out to see if he'll be dropping by your area sometime soon! If you would like to download his previously released material, click here where you can have his music free of charge and experience the raw and natural talents that Brian has to offer you!

Artist Spotlight: This Is All Now

Proud to bring you another edition of Artist Spotlight for this week! Today, we head over to Long Island, NY and uncover the vivacious and effervescent pop-punk sounds of This Is All Now. The band consists of Okan Kazdal on lead vocals, Jordan Caroleo on guitar, Louie Malpeli on guitar, Thomas Angenbroich on bass, and Mike Pittelli on drums. The band have a youthful, dynamic sound to them similar to the likes of All Time Low and Forever The Sickest Kids with an image to them that is original and all their own. I managed to catch these guys in concert last month at The Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge where they opened for Call Me Anything (a regular feature here on the blog), and I was immediately impressed with their stage presence and enthusiasm for performing to the crowd and interacting with fans after the show, whether it be for a quick chat with them or a photo op with eager fans, the boys were total pros and really contributed a great deal to the positive energy levels emanating from the venue that afternoon. A terrific live act that is only going to get better and better with time. Some recommended tracks for you to check out from the gents include "Supernova" and "Nothing To Lose".

For more information on This Is All Now, head on over to the group's Facebook page right here where you can stay connected and get the band's latest round of tour dates that may be stopping by your area relatively soon! The band is also able to be followed on Twitter right over here where you can see what the band members are up to this very minute and follow each of the band members on their individual Twitter accounts as well! As a little added treat for you guys, here is their debut music video for "Supernova", which also happens to be the title track off their debut EP which came out this past July. Go get it now if you haven't already!

Coheed & Cambria - Afterman: The Ascension

Nyack, New York's finest prog rock legends Coheed & Cambria are back at it again with an all new studio effort titled Afterman: The Ascension. The follow up to 2010's Year of the Black Rainbow finds the big haired rockers continuing their storyline theme that they dabbled with in their prior ventures before this disc, and this one serves as a continuation of The Amory Wars storyline and focuses on the character named Sirius Amory while giving fans a satisfying and complete listening experience.

The disc kicks off with "The Hollow", a precursor to all of the dynamic musical shifts that are about to occur with a series of distorted voices speaking in the background that almost sounds like three people talking at once that gives you a general idea of what to expect on the rest of the album to come. "Key Entity Extraction I: Domino the Destitute" is an epic, built up track that shows off the vocal power of frontman Claudio Sanchez with an ambush of dual toned guitar riffs and a fast paced, frenetic charge that sets the pace of the album pretty quickly. "Mothers of Men" is a epic, wailing rocker with Claudio's distinct vocal persona lending a hand to a gritty, prog heavy track that is easy to follow along and makes sure that you don't get lost in the shuffle here.

The second half of the disc begins with "Key Entity Extraction II: Holly Wood the Cracked" an angry, no holds barred rocker that shows off a fierce and undeterred side of the band that we haven't seen on display before this effort, but is a welcome change nonetheless. "Key Entity Extraction III: Vic the Butcher" features much of the same musical tonalities as the prior track, but features more toned down lyricism and still potent guitar riffs amped up with such veracity that it becomes almost a little bit too much to handle at times. We venture into the disc's final two tracks with "Key Entity Extraction IV: Evagria the Faithful", my personal favorite track off the disc that features shifting musical arrangements along with Claudio's masterful vocal work doing their thing once again and a barrage of simple structured guitar riffs that grab ahold of you almost instantaneously, plus some neat drumwork that when heard all put together, best encapsulates the sound that Coheed set out to accomplish in the first place. "Subtraction" ends it all here with a whispering, toned down track that concludes much like the same way it began with Claudio's whispering vocal power bridging the gap between the beginning and middle portions of the album, and ties it all up like a pretty bow with another exciting and thrilling adventure in the ongoing Armory Wars series. It's not too often that we encounter a band that is able to so eloquently and so successfully put together a storybook series, and combine that with the elements of brilliant lyricism and thunderous guitar riffs that when put together, tell a brilliant and well thought out musical storyline that is unlike anything currently out there today.

In summary, another well accomplished musical mission from Coheed and Cambria, who have lent a helping hand in shaping the way we listen to music by allowing us to escape into a rapturous musical storyline that bridges the gap between art and fantasy at the same time, while allowing us to act out a musical fantasy that is like a picture book of sorts that is unlike anything you've ever experienced before.

                                                                                                                                Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. The Hollow
2. Key Entity Extraction I: Domino the Destitute
3. The Afterman
4. Mothers of Men
5. Goodnight, Fair Lady
6. Key Entity Extraction II: Holly Wood the Cracked
7. Key Entity Extraction III: Vic the Butcher
8. Key Entity Extraction IV: Evagria the Faithful
9. Subtraction    

Artist Spotlight: Le Paige

Pleased to bring you another edition of Artist Spotlight for the week! Today, we take a escape from all the sudden snow and rain upon us, and head on over to Hollywood, CA where we stumble across the sounds of Le Paige! The group consists of Beau Garner on lead vocals, Adrian Padua on guitar, Nick Banaszak on bass, and Luke Denney on drums. The group has a youthful, vivacious pop-punk tone similar to the likes of All Time Low and blink-182 with a dynamic, cutting edge style that is hip and all their own! The band recently wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign to help fund the recording process for their next EP titled "Goodnight to Midnight". Approximately $9,770 were raised for this venture and the group couldn't be prouder to depend on the kindness and generosity of their fans and music lovers in general to help make this project so successful! And also for the fact that they're really nice guys makes it all worth it to have lent a helping hand any way you could!

For more information on Le Paige, head over to the group's Facebook page right here where you can get the latest info on any upcoming tour dates revolving around the guys, plus browse a collection of their photos to see all their latest exploits! The band can also be followed on Twitter over here where you can find out what the gents are up to this very minute. If you would like to listen to some of their music, it's available on their ReverbNation page located right here.

Justyn and the Babys - Big Really

Washington D.C.'s  psychedelic rock sensations Justyn and the Babys have arrived on the scene with their debut release titled "Big Really". The collection is a mixture of uptempo and melodic jams that will provide for instant gratification and make you feel comfortable and allow you to relax, unwind, and enjoy the music that is set forth before you.

The disc opens up with "The Morning Song", a laid back, roots rock oriented opus that sees the band taking a meticulous, well thought out approach with a track clocking in at just over 6 minutes that is well worth your time with simple structured melodies and insightful lyrics that all provide for an enjoyable listening experience. "Baby, Did The Bottle Let You Down?" is a more upbeat, glorious rocker with a strong emphasis being put on style and image with a no rules rocker that allows the band to unwind and just be who they are, all while having fun on stage. My favorite track off the record is "Derelicts/18 Wheels", a lovely, stylistic composition that features dazzling acoustic guitar rhythms that hearken back to an early 70's style folk-rock jam with an organic, earthy component to it that is stunning aurally and is one of the highlights of a diverse and well packed effort heard here so far.

The second half of the album takes shape with the soothing "Antipodal", a ethereal, relaxing tune that tones down the musical tonality of the album to an extent and reverts back to a slower pace that enables other listeners to catch on if they're jumping in at the middle of the disc. We start to close up shop on the album with "The Scenery Changes Slow", an extremely downtempo number that features a combination of eloquent vocals, sharp and vivid guitar riffs, and a strong focus being put on mood that makes for a fantastic and well rounded track heard here. "Counterfeit Pennies" does the honor of closing it all out with a distorted, drum laden pattern that seems a bit odd when you first hear it, but you'll learn to adapt to as the song progresses, and manages to sneak in some musical patterns that we heard prior in the album's earlier stages. One thing that I love about living in the Northeast is the diversity of all the musicians/bands living in the New England area and outside the region that dabble in a host of different genres, whether it be alternative, indie, folk, or electronica, this is a huge music scene where all of the artists learn to help each other out in some way, and Justyn and the Babys are among those acts creeping up on the new music radar with this effort.

In summary, a well rehearsed and energized effort from Justyn and the Babys, an effort that mixes in folk and psychedelic rhythms into a concoction that has never been created before, but the band do a great job nonetheless of pulling it off with precision.
                                                                                                                             Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. The Morning Song
2. Baby, Did The Bottle Let You Down?
3. Big Really
4. Derelicts/18 Wheels
5. Antipodal
6. Year of the Rat
7. The Scenery Changes Slow
8. Counterfeit Pennies

Artist Spotlight: Mike and Cody

Kicking off your Election Day in style with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight! Appropriately enough, we head down to the nation's capital Washington DC and check out the patriotic sounds of Mike and Cody. The duo is a fun and eclectic mixture of Foster The People meets MGMT with an innovative and cutting edge style that is all their own and is tailored made to fit their own unique musical personas. It's terrific to see up and coming artists paying homage to some of their influences that have gotten them this far and it almost sounds exactly like their musical heroes, but you know that the music is all their own and defines their personalities as well, something that is extraordinarily difficult for artists to accomplish fully, but they do a great job of ensuring that the beats are rampant all the way throughout and that the audience is fully enjoying themselves with the electro infused keyboard sounds running amok in their headphones. An amazing act with a huge bevy of potential coming forth right at their feet. Some recommended tracks for you to discover include "Monster Soul" and "I'm Gonna Steal Your Date".

For more info on Mike and Cody, head on over to the duo's Facebook page right here where you can get links containing the band's music via BandCamp and you can either stream or download it directly from the page. The band can be followed on Twitter as well right here where you can find out what the guys are up to this very minute and you can get the latest tour info that may be stopping by your area sometime soon. The band's music can be downloaded via their official website right here that links to their BandCamp site where you can stream or download their debut EP titled "Let's Go" directly from the site on a "name your price" basis, including the amount of zero!  

Circa Survive - Violent Waves

Fresh from Philadelphia, PA the home of cheesesteaks and the Phillies, Circa Survive are back at it with their all new studio release titled Violent Waves. The follow up to 2010's Blue Sky Noise finds the alt-rockers continuing to build upon the buzz from their last release, and translates it into something that is rewarding and ultimately satisfying for the average music listener and for the diehard Circa Survive fan.

We start things off with "Birth of the Economic Hit Man", an eerie, ominous rocker that gives us a glimpse inside the vocal prowess of Anthony Green, who has contributed a great deal both sonically and with his overall musical presence that is the root cause of Circa Survive's overall success as a group so far. "Sharp Practice" picks up the pace substantially from the prior track, and aims to create a wholesome and musically cohesive track that exemplifies the group's talents and their capabilities when they put all of their musical muscle together and see what becomes of it. "The Lottery" is exponentially louder and more musically dynamic than the prior tracks, in the sense that there's a lot more going on with sharply focused guitar riffs and Anthony's pristine vocal abilities making this song a real treat for music listeners and longtime admirers of Anthony Green alike. My favorite track off the disc is "My Only Friend", a track that strikes a perfect balance between the band's prog leaning rhythms and downtempo musical interludes that best highlight Anthony's top notch vocal style that sets him apart from his contemporaries out in the scene today, a masterful track from start to finish.

We're onto the disc's second half with "Think of Me When They Sound", an ambient, laid-back rocker that showcases Anthony's softer side with a delicate and calm style that gives you further evidence that Anthony Green has one of the best voices in music today. "Brother Sound" continues to build upon the energy and buzz from the prior song, and creates much of the same musical wavelengths that the prior song accomplishes, albeit at a different angle than its predecessor did. The disc's end is near with "Blood From A Stone", a clearcut and consistent rocker that starts to usher in the feeling of the album's demise with sharp and decisive rhythms that give the listener a feel of what is coming their way relatively soon. "I'll Find A Way" ends it all here with a summarized and encapsulated rocker that takes in all the musical elements that we've heard so far, and is condensed in a format that is easy to comprehend and allows us to take a glimpse of all the musical shapes and sizes that we've come in contact with on this album and fell in love with at first listen. I was blown away with Circa Survive when I first heard them way back in 2007 when they released "On Letting Go". I was even more blown away with the talents of Anthony Green when he released his debut solo album titled "Avalon" shortly after that, which had me immediately sold and proved to me that he is a force to be reckoned with and is an extremely focused and talented individual, one that doesn't come around too often these days and has staked his claim as one of the most dynamic frontmen in alternative rock today. A bona fide and natural talent through and through.

All in all, a spectacular and well rehearsed effort out forth by Circa Survive, one of the most consistent and thorough bands in the world of music today, and it's all thanks to Anthony Green's strong leadership and stage presence that has made them the masterful act that are standing right before you today. Definitely recommended!

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Birth of the Economic Hit Man
2. Sharp Practice
3. Suitcase
4. The Lottery
5. My Only Friend
6. Phantasmagoria
7. Think of Me When They Sound
8. Brother Song
9. Bird Sounds
10. Blood From A Stone
11. I'll Find A Way

Saul Conrad - Poison Packets

Brookline, MA based singer-songwriter Saul Conrad has released his debut effort titled Poison Packets. The release is an eclectic and diverse collection of tunes that shows off the simplicity of his sound, but also the sheer sophistication of his lyrics as well and how they unwrap different facets of his personality one by one.

The disc opens up with the soulful "Bonfire Blues" a romantic, edgy tune that sees Saul enticing you with his innovative and clearcut vocal style and lyrics that will definitely make the women blush as they're hearing it. "Mexico" is a strictly acoustic based number that takes a stripped down, bare bones approach giving the listener another perspective of Saul to uncover and check out for themselves. "Whiskey Eggs" is an upbeat, joyful tune with a slight bombast that brings the audience together for a sing-along that shows off a certain, dignified unity between the audience and the artist performing the tune. "Bird In The Sun" is a short, concise tune clocking in at just a minute and 22 seconds that accomplishes alot musically in such a short span of time with Saul's vocal abilities cooing in and out of the organic acoustic guitar interludes that sound fresh and inviting the minute you hear it.

The disc's second half takes shape with "Murrey Knows", a thoughtful, resourceful tune that sees a certain bonding unity with Saul and the guitar that almost functions as a symbiotic relationship that gives way to the creation of a terrific and joyous tune. My favorite track off the disc is "Loopy Su", a lush, intricate number that sees Saul continuing to build up his credibility and cache as an artist with a certain and inviting allure that you just won't find anywhere else with any given artist. The disc starts to draw to a close on "The Engines", a steady and breezy number that does a great job of packing in as many musical components together in a short timeframe of just under 2 minutes that accomplishes a great deal to achieve its mission. And the disc ultimately concludes on "Sycamore", a cooing and earthly delight with Saul's comforting vocal presence making you feel relaxed and right at home, and gives you time to look back on the album and all the wondrous soundscapes that we encountered in our journey to the conclusion of the album. It's great to hear musicians, especially those who reside in the Boston area, find their identity as an artist within themselves and have that sensibility come out in their music that is representative of the type of person they are, something that is remarkably difficult to accomplish in this day of age, but Saul pulls it off exceptionally well right here.

Looking back, a solid and well composed effort of songs put forth by Saul Conrad, who has made his name known as a songwriter to keep an eye on in the months and years to come with an extraordinary gift to share with his listening audience and a certain charm and charisma that can't be duplicated anywhere else.

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Bonfire Blues
2. Mexico
3. Darkness
4. Whiskey Eggs
5. Bird In The Sun
6. Pack Up Your Razors
7. Murrey Knows
8. Loopy Su
9. The Engines
10. Sycamore

Artist Spotlight: Lauren Tenney and the Terribles

Today's edition of Artist Spotlight comes to us from an up and coming soul/blues act based from right here in Boston called Lauren Tenney and the Terribles. The group consists of Lauren Tenney on lead vocals, Charlie Bloom on guitar, Alex Hartley on keys, Francis Hickey on bass, and Patrick Dalton on drums. The band has an eclectic, soulful vibe to them reminiscent of acts such as Sade with Lauren's captivating vocal presence taking ahold of you right away and the laid-back, pleasant sounding vibe provides for an entertaining and fulfilling listening experience. Most of the members of the group, including Lauren and Alex received their education at the Berklee School of Music, one of the premier education institutions in the area and known the world over, where you can see that the members are exceptionally gifted and are well versed in all areas pertaining to music that makes them a well rounded collective and makes the stand out from the other up and coming acts in the scene today. Some recommended tracks for you to take a listen at include "Too Late" and "Don't Matter".

For more information on Lauren Tenney and the Terribles, head on over to their Facebook page right here where you can get the latest up to date information on the band including tour dates coming right near where you are. If you would like to take a listen to the band's debut self-titled EP, you can pop on over to their BandCamp site located here where you can stream or download the album on the site for just $4! The EP is also available for purchase on iTunes as well right over here.

Imagine Dragons - Night Visions

Fresh from Las Vegas, NV (also home of The Killers), Imagine Dragons have released their much buzzed about debut album titled Night Visions. The album has been gaining much traction recently thanks to this past summer's big hit "It's Time", and the group's refreshing approach to craft sonically delicate musical structures coupled upon with well written lyrics that make this band one of the best new artists to come out this year.

The album starts off with the pleasant sounding "Radioactive", a downtempo effort that blends in some sleek electronic influences plus the warm and inviting lead vocals of frontman Dan Reynolds ensuring that the album gets off to a great start right out of the gate. My favorite track off the disc is the aforementioned first single "It's Time", a melodic and thunderous track that features an instantly catchy hook with the perfect blend of consistent guitar licks and a slight electronic touch that make this track one of the best of the year and is one of the highlights of the album so far. "Demons" features Dan's delicate and prominent vocal presence allowing all of the instrumentation to naturally take shape and run its course all the way throughout the album with aplomb. "On Top of the World" features a chipper and upbeat handclap inspired beat that makes you feel much like the song's title and allows you to enjoy different facets of the band that we haven't had the opportunity to check out up until this point.

The disc's second half begins with "Hear Me", a solid and consistent rocker that features straight up guitar riffs and the electronic influences pushed into the background to give the song its own distinct personality. "Bleeding Out" tones it down substantially from the prior tracks and tends to play it safe on a slacked and uninspired track heard here. "Underdog" features some creative and uptempo synth influences that will have you grooving along to the keyboard on one of the more pure electro influenced tracks featured here on the disc. The album begins to draw to a conclusion on "Nothing Left To Say/Rocks", with some solid keyboard synth arrangements and a strict focus on a electronic state of mind represents the album's true focus and dynamic set forth. "Cha-Ching (Till We Grow Older)" closes it all out and does a great job of bringing in all the elements we've heard so far and presents it to us in an encapsulated format that ensures that we understand what the album's mission was and if they accomplished it to a certain extent. I was impressed with Imagine Dragons when I first heard them on the radio with "It's Time", which was an appropriate and fitting track that also serves as a requiem for the state of the music industry right now with the demise of local Boston station WFNX and its transition into the digital age, leaving us wondering and asking the question, "Where do we go from here?"

In retrospect, a standard and focused effort from Imagine Dragons, who have made a strong first impression with their debut effort and shows what the band is made of and what they can improve upon with their next release and all those that come after it.

                                                                                                                     Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Radioactive
2. Tiptoe
3. It's Time
4. Demons
5. On Top of The World
6. Amsterdam
7. Hear Me
8. Every Night
9. Bleeding Out
10. Underdog
11. Nothing Left To Say/Rocks
12. Cha-Ching (Till We Grow Older)