How Music Helped The Red Sox Win The World Series

If you were among myself and many others all across the country watching the World Series last night, you may remember a chorus of people singing along to Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" when Shane Victorino came up to bat and immediately on the first pitch, hit a bases clearing double off the Green Monster that put them up 3-0 en route to a 6-1 win, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the World Series at Fenway Park. That scene was one of the most beautiful scenes I've witnessed in modern sports where everyone harmonized together to that one song to help Shane feel at ease when up at the plate, and be productive as well.

Music in general has helped the Red Sox erase the beer and chicken fiasco and the Bobby Valentine circus, and clinch their 8th World Series championship and their 3rd in the last 10 years. The team has been an absolute joy to watch this year, from helping us recover in the aftermath of the Marathon bombings, and giving us endless walk off wins and seemingly impossible come from behind victories in the postseason, the team has been there for us to make life totally worth living. But it was the integration of the player's individual walk up songs that allowed the players to have their own identities and make them feel zoned in when up at the plate during pressure situations. I'll admit that I lost faith in the Sox and they let me down in recent years, but for the team to bring home a World Series championship so soon and giving us reasons to cheer each and every night makes me a firm believer in the power of music to give us those special memories that we'll cherish for years and years to come, and the Sox did just that for me. And for the whole team, I'm eternally grateful for what you've done for the city and for myself personally, and I honestly could never repay you enough for all the joy and passion you brought into my life over the course of the season, and the fact that music was a big soundtrack for those big moments, really makes me appreciate this team so much more.

Artist Spotlight: Air Traffic Controller

Kicking off your Halloween with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we stay true to our roots here in Boston, and come into contact with our very own Air Traffic Controller. The band consists of Dave Munro, Rich Munro, Steve Scott, and Casey Sullivan. The band's music is an upbeat blend of indie/alternative rhythms conjured upon a striking vocal presence and upbeat instrumentation that puts you at ease right away, and allows you to listen with an open mind ready to take in all the sights and sounds emanating right in front of you and around your ears. I had heard of these guys by name only, and I wasn't too familiar with their music at all but I was quite pleased with what they had to bring to the forefront with the transition between male and female vocalists, and layered upon a harmonic wavelength of bliss shows that this is a true group effort and they have a definite musical chemistry together that is fully realized here. A great up and comer to the Boston scene that is worthy of some additional press here on the site. Some songs for you to discover from them include "If You Build It" and "You Know Me".

For more information on the guys in Air Traffic Controller, head on over to their Facebook page located here and see all the musical delights that they have whipped up for you. You can also follow them on Twitter as well from this location here and see when they'll be making their way to your hometown sometime soon. Visit their official website right here for a boatload of in depth information pertaining to the band, and you can listen to all their music via the handy Soundcloud plug in player located at the top right of the page.

The Avett Brothers - Magpie And The Dandelion

Concord, NC's folk rock sensations The Avett Brothers are back with their latest effort titled Magpie And The Dandelion. The follow up to last year's stunning The Carpenter finds the Southern gentlemen continuing to bring their trademark blend of folk rock mixed in with a introspective lyrical mindset that makes them one of the must see acts in music today.

We kick things off with "Open Ended Life" a slick, laid back tune featuring the trademark lead vocals of Seth Avett helped out by his brother Scott on banjo that shows off the band's trademark country tinged drawl that works its way through every crawl space of the song and burrows right in your heart almost immediately. "Morning Song" is my favorite track off the disc, a homegrown and passionate ballad that completely evokes the folk/country hybrid that they worked so hard to mold and shape all throughout the years, and the fruits of their labor are realized on this outstanding track that features light banjo arrangements and a reflective nature that makes it feel like you're relaxing with the band right out on the front porch admiring the view from afar. "Another Is Waiting" is the first single off the effort that has a slight pop sensibility to it that is a little different than from what we're used to hearing from the gentlemen, and it comes across as being too short of a track but is a solid composition nonetheless. "Bring Your Love To Me" is a highly introspective tune featuring Seth's top notch vocals working its way through to your heart, and having a emotional connection reached between the musician and listener that is so authentic, it's almost as if he's speaking directly to you and telling you how he feels. "Good To You" achieves all the same musical goals as the subsequent track achieved, and bodes well as we head into the latter half of the disc laying ahead.

The second half features "Skin And Bones" an authentic, fascinating track that allows us to take a at a glance look at the fellows as they bring trademark charisma and charm right to the forefront here on this sensational track that features more traditional bluegrass arrangements than the other songs provided. We get ready to close things out with "Vanity" a carefree, downtempo track featuring intricate piano arrangements and Seth's vocals once again providing the emotional backdrop as we close things out in a reflective state of mind. "The Clearness Of Gone" does a terrific job of closing everything out with a terrific melodic refrain that brings everyone together as we look back on a job well done from these down to earth and true, honest musicians. I had heard about The Avett Brothers for awhile, and I was particularly touched and astounded from their last album The Carpenter as it really affected me emotionally as how authentic and different they sounded from any other act out there, and they really have a grasp as to how to communicate directly one-on-one with the listener and make it feel like that they're actually talking to you and seeing how you're doing. That's part of the unsung beauty and genuine spirit that makes me love these guys so much.

All in all, a terrific and real effort from The Avett Brothers who have quickly grown on me and have become an inspiration of sorts as to how to approach listening to music and reach an emotional connection with the artist unlike anyone else currently out there.

                                                                                                                      Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Open Ended Life
2. Morning Song
3. Never Been Alive
4. Another Is Waiting
5. Bring Your Love To Me
6. Good To You
7. Apart From Me
8. Skin and Bones
9. Souls Like The Wheels
10. Vanity
11. The Clearness Is Gone 

The Bynars - X vs. X

Boston's own The Bynars are back with their all new studio effort titled X vs. X. This frenetic and exciting effort from the group is a heavenly concocted slice of dance rock magic coupled with a frenzied enthusiasm that you just can't find anywhere else, and brings about an aura and buzz about the group that is undeniable and easy to enjoy right from the get go.

We start things off right away with my favorite track off the album "Dancing On A Dream", a dance infused, pulsating electro rock delight that sets things abuzz right away and puts you in a carefree state of mind, ready to enjoy whatever comes your way and eloquently showcases the band's musical dynamic right from the start. "Tired Of Hooking Up With You" features more dense synth pop hooks, and the wondrous lead vocals of Matt Jakola continue to bring about the band's musical techniques that are in full display and sounding as marvelous and polished as ever. "I'll Get You Back" features some more noticeable rock rhythms conjured upon an electro lovers paradise that is impossible to ignore and is something that can be appreciated almost instantly even if you don't like dance music that much.

The second half starts off with "Everyone Is Here", a more toned down number than the previous tracks, and presents an exceptional amount of diversity from the group that is unmatched from any other musical outlet currently entrenched in the Boston scene right now. We start to round things out with "Blow", an indelible dance oriented track that has an insatiable groove that you just can't help but to move along to, and appreciate the fact that you're hypnotized by the power of dance. "Give It To Me" closes out our stay here with an ethereal slice of electro aided bliss coupled with a bevy of distorted vocals and beautiful instrumentation that totally encapsulates the musical message that they wanted to write when creating these songs in the studio. I totally enjoyed these guys right from the first note when I heard them, and I really took to heart the musical style and direction they were aiming for. Even though I'm not that much into electronic music, I loved the fact that they combined it with a rock oriented mindset that kept me tuned in all the way throughout and I didn't miss a single beat whatsoever.

Looking back, an outstanding and top notch effort here from The Bynars, who have created something special with this effort that shows off the musical chemistry that they have cooked up together that makes them one of the premiere up and coming acts in the Boston scene that you need to hear right away. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                                Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Dancing On A Dream
2. Tired of Hooking Up With You (f/ATM)
3. All I Wanna Do Is Have Some Fun Tonight
4. I'll Get You Back
5. Everyone Is Here
6. Never Gonna Die
7. Blow
8. Give It To Me 

Artist Spotlight: Parlour Bells

Finishing out the final week of October with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we keep it local here in Boston and check in with the dark and melodic sounds of Parlour Bells. The band consists of Goddamn Glenn, Nate Leavitt, Magen Tracy, Brendan Boogie, and Paul Myers. The band is self described as "dusky, darkly romantic lounge pop & art rock" that allows you to dim the lights a bit and experience the ethereal sounds slowly making their way towards you and taking ahold of you by the time the music has concluded. I caught these guys in concert a couple of weeks ago at the post-party for the premiere of the WFNX documentary "We Want The Airwaves", and I was totally impressed with them from the get go. I had heard about them frequently in the scene, but never had the opportunity to check them out in concert until that moment, and I was enthused with what they had to offer musically and Glenn's glammed up look wearing a shimmery sleeveless frock totally evoked the musical style that he was aiming for, and the music has that unspoken creativity and sheer beauty that is noticeably absent from modern music today. A terrific up and coming band in the scene that is definitely worthy of your musical time. Some tracks for you to enjoy from these guys include "Airwaves" and "Bachelor Hours".

For more information on Parlour Bells, you can 'Like' them on Facebook here and see what their their unbridled creativity has yielded. You can follow them on Twitter as well right here and communicate directly with the guys in the band as well. Visit their official website located here for more in depth information pertaining to the group, and also find out when they'll be playing in the Boston area again sometime soon.

Track Listing and Release Date Lined Up For MusicBoxPete Presents: Towering Over London

An update on my forthcoming compilation titled "MusicBoxPete Presents: Towering Over London". I'm happy to announce that the final track listing has been finalized for the disc and that a release date has been firmed up as well. Thanks to all the acts for submitting their material in consideration for review! The response for this has been extraordinary from across the Atlantic and I can't wait to share this compilation with you when it's released exclusively via Bandcamp for free on November 12.

Here is the final track listing for the album:

1. Home Advantage - (The Sands Of) San Lorenzo
2. Nathan Detroit - Hold Me Tight
3. The Bottom Line - Record Player
4. Piper Saint - Abandon Ship
5. Dearist - Get What You Want
6. Rivalries - Built To Last
7. Landmarks - Backpacks And Traintracks
8. Royal Fisticuffs - Pomegrantes
9. Maycomb - Dynamiter
10. Lower Lands - Canvas
11. White Clouds & Gunfire - Bruised Not Broken
12. Midday Committee - Chivalry's Dead Sugar!
13. Boston Manor - All Tight (Euan Cosh)
14. Forrest - Southsea
15. As It Is - Often

For more information on the compilation, head on over to the official MusicBoxPete Bandcamp site right over here and find out everything that there is to know about the disc, and stay tuned here on the site for further updates regarding the release of the compilation.

Artist Spotlight: Kansas Bible Company

Rounding out the week and cruising into the weekend with another installment in my ever growing Artist Spotlight collection! Today, we head to the Midwest to Goshen, IN and check in with the eclectic and inspiring sounds of Kansas Bible Company. The 12 piece band consists of Jake Miller, Michael Ruth, Jeff Yoder, Nathan Morrow, Nate Klink, Luke Yoder, Jacob Yagu Martin, Isaac Lederach, James Green, Jake Snyder, Charles Frederick, and Rafael Chavez. The music is a mixture of upbeat folk built upon a huge assortment of instrumentation that is too numerous to mention here and it's absolutely mind blowing hearing the depth of musicality that shines so brightly from these gentlemen, and really speaks to mind about the volume of the band's musical goal that is in full force here. I was drawn to the group largely because they had so many members, and I was curious to see what each person brought individually and collectively to the recording process, and when heard in its finished form is a true work of art and a testament to their harmonic bliss that they have fortified right here for your listening pleasure. An immensely talented group that is definitely worthy of mentioning right here on the site. Some tracks for you to check out include "Jesus, The Horse Thief" and "Hotel Chicamauga".

For more info on the guys in Kansas Bible Company, head on over to their Facebook page over here and see all the musical shapes and colors right before your very eyes and ears. You can follow the fine gents on Twitter from this location here and find out when they'll be making their way towards the East Coast hopefully sometime soon. Visit their official website here for more in depth information about the fellows, and check out their latest release titled "Hotel Chicamauga", now available for your listening and purchasing enjoyment on their Bandcamp site right here.

Artist Spotlight: Louder Space

Taking it all in with another installment in my Artist Spotlight series! Today, we head out to the West Coast and cruise on over to San Luis Obispo, CA and uncover the sun kissed sounds of Louder Space. The band consists of Chris Kaye on lead vocals, Clayton Daly on guitar, Oren Ben-Joseph on bass, and Philip Tyler on drums. The band's music is a reflective and peaceful blend of reggae based rhythms mixed in with a bit of a funk influence as well to balance everything out for good measure and bring out the melodies that are just yearning to be heard and bubble up to the surface for everyone to enjoy. These guys were nice enough to send me a care package last week containing their CD, some stickers, and an amazing postcard with a handwritten message from Oren which was so nice of him to write and I was enthralled by the good vibes and love emanating so strongly from the band. They also have a local connection to them as the bassist Oren is originally from the MA area and is a die hard Red Sox fan as well, and I totally appreciate the positivity and genuineness of these guys for reaching out to me in such a special way. A terrific upstart band that I'm sending all of my love and respect out in full force. Some tracks for you to check out from these awesome gentlemen include "Jerusalem Tree" and "805".

For more info on the guys in Louder Space, head on over to their Facebook page here and find out everything that there is to know about these amazingly talented and gifted musicians. You can follow them on Twitter as well from this location here and see when they'll be making their way through your hometown sometime soon with a concert performance. Visit their official website right here for more in depth information concerning the band, and all of their music is available to listen at your heart's content over on their Bandcamp site conveniently located here.

The Perms - The Aberdeen EP

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada's own The Perms have arrived with their all new EP titled The Aberdeen. The latest release from our neighbors to the North finds the band continuing to bring their own unique and eclectic blend of electro tinged rock that is reflective of the area in which they grew up, and is the type of music that serves them best and allows their audience to identify with them and what they have to bring to the musical table.

Things start out on the right note with "It's Mania", a upbeat and high energy rocker that ensures things start out on the right note with Shane Smith and his brother Chad providing some memorable hooks that will have you singing right along. The title track is my favorite song off the album that features toned out guitar riffs that perfectly accentuate the melodic outbursts that are omnipresent throughout the track at any given time, and give the band some clout and notice from the listener just tuning in who may not be too familiar with the group, but have a natural curiosity as to what all the buzz is about, a solid all-around track. "The Parent Thing" begins to close out the effort with a straightforward, midtempo blast complete with a strong vocal push and instrumentation that has varying degrees of tempo that put everything in perspective here and gives the guys some energy as we close things out. "Walk Away" ends our stay here with a sharply focused tune that features specially blended guitar riffs that adequately portray the style and essence that the band sought out to create while conjuring up these tunes while in the studio.

All in all, a solid and well rehearsed effort form The Perms, a Canadian band that is looking to make a solid first impression on American listeners who may not be too familiar with them. This effort will definitely make audiences here aware of their style and sophistication that is just yearning to be heard from those outside the country and beyond.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. It's Mania
2. Aberdeen
3. The Parent Thing
4. Walk Away

How Do Boston's Musical Acts Compare To Those In St. Louis?

With the Red Sox playing in Game 1 of the World Series starting tomorrow night at Fenway Park against the St. Louis Cardinals, I thought it would be a good idea to compare musical acts that reside from the two competing cities, and see how they stack up against one another in terms of musical influence, name recognition, and overall musical relevance as well. To balance everything out, I've included acts from multiple genres that gives you a good idea of the music emanating from each city, and how they have influenced music as a whole.

Boston Musical Acts

Aerosmith
James Taylor
The Pixies
Four Year Strong

The list of bands that formed in Boston is quite strong. Looking at the list, Aerosmith is clearly the biggest name on the list and is still going strong today after 40+ years of musical existence. James Taylor also got his start in the Boston area as he grew up in Cambridge, and also performed for patients at McLean Hospital in Belmont several years ago that shows his devotion to his local roots, and has also occasionally played at Fenway Park sporadically over the years as well. Indie legends The Pixies got their start in Cambridge as well, and were responsible for the mainstream explosion of indie music in the late 80's and early 90's and had a great deal of impact in shaping the overall foundation of indie music as we know it today and are considered to be true pioneers in the genre as well. Four Year Strong reside from Worcester, MA and have become a force to be reckoned with in the hardcore punk scene and are clearly avid fans of all the Boston sports teams, and one member always wears a Bruins hat in support of the greatest hockey team in the whole land, and one whose logo adorns my left bicep permanently.

St. Louis Musical Acts

Chuck Berry
Nelly
Story Of The Year

While St. Louis has an impressive list of musical acts emanating from its foundation, it doesn't hold the torch against the list of acts from our great city. The most influential name on this list is clearly Chuck Berry, who got his start way back in the 50's and has his influence heard in multiple genres across several decades, and is considered a pioneer in the field of rock and roll and still occasionally continues to play live today at the age of 87. Rapper Nelly originally got his start back in the early 2000's with his album Country Grammar and had a number of hits before his career stalled in a bit in recent years and has flatlined as of late, but still releases material sporadically. Story Of The Year who you may remember from their debut release Page Avenue containing the instant classic "Until The Day I Die" got their start in the Lou as well, and are proud of their heritage representing the Cardinal way. While I love them as a band, I still think the Red Sox are better!

So as you can clearly see, Boston has the edge in terms of the amount of acts that emanated from the Bean, and the ones that had the most influence on music today. St. Louis doesn't quite match up in terms of total musical impact, and significantly lags behind here. Are there any bands here missing from either city that I may have missed?  Let me know and I'll be sure to add them on the list to see how everyone matches up and if this list still holds water.

Artist Spotlight: Spiritual Rez

Starting off the last truly warm day of the year with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we keep it local here in Boston and check out the reggae infused sounds of our very own Spiritual Rez. The band consists of Toft Willingham on lead vocals and guitar, Jesse Shaternick on bass, Ian "Meat" Miller on drums, Quinn Carson on trombone, Clay Lyons on saxophone, Mohamed Araki on keys and guitar, and Rob O'Block on lead guitar. The band has a high energy, laid back reggae sound that blends in some rock influences as well that complement each other quite well, and perfectly accentuates the band's sound that they have worked feverishly to polish and send off into the stratosphere for everyone to enjoy and marvel over what they've created in the studio. I totally enjoyed these guys from the get go, and the fact that they're from right here in the Boston area puts the icing on the cake and gets my stamp of authenticity right away as I never knew that there were reggae bands here in Boston as most of them reside out in California, but they totally evoke that West Coast vibe that permeates throughout their music, and their image suits them exceptionally well as the picture above shows all of the members barefoot and their laid back and carefree personalities that each of the members evoke as they dig their toes into the sand and take on whatever is in front of them. A terrific undiscovered band that is definitely worthy of some major love and respect. Some tracks for you to check out from the dudes include "Man's Hands" and "Decisions".

For more information on the guys in Spiritual Rez, cruise on over to their Facebook page here and fall in love with what they've conjured up for you musically. You can follow them on Twitter as well right here and say what's up to the guys when you get the chance. Visit their official website located here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out the band's latest EP "Apocalypse Whenever" for purchase and streaming on their Bandcamp site conveniently located here.

Boys School - A Friend Of Mine EP

Los Angeles, CA bred Boys School are back with their latest EP titled A Friend Of Mine. The latest effort from the guys is a deep, focused blend of indie rock conjured upon a strong melodic framework that puts the guys on a different pedestal than the other bands coming up in the scene right now.

We kick things off with "Rollin Along" a steady, acoustic aided track that has a strong Elvis Costello influence to it that shows off the band's musical chops in full force here and also has a strong musical dexterity to it that gets us off on the right foot splendidly. "Waiting On The Day" is my favorite track off the album that totally exemplifies the band's musical mission in clear form right here with upbeat guitar licks presented that have a Spoon like influence to it that shows off the band's versatility as well as their capabilities of bringing in all of their musical influences together on one stage here, and is a real treat to hear in its finished form. "Can't Come Back" begins to conclude our musical journey here with a thoughtful musical creation that features terrific vocal syncopation and steady, advanced instrumentation that ensures everything comes to a close the way it intended and that fans are left feeling satisfied as well. "A Friend of Mine" ends our stay here with a relaxing and invigorating acoustic guitar track that does a great job of ending everything here on cue and on point with a well encapsulated track that does a great job of bringing in all the elements we've heard together in succession after one another, and gives an encapsulated overview of the album for those just tuning in.

To sum it all up, a well constructed and implemented musical effort from Boys School, who have a clear grasp of the type of music they want to play, and how they want to communicate with the audience as well that puts them in a class all their own.

                                                                                                                                EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Rollin' Along
2. Novi Nights
3. Waiting On The Day
4. Can't Come Back
5. A Friend Of Mine

Artist Spotlight: Through The Roots

Wrapping up the week and cruising into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we stay on the West Coast and head on over to beautiful San Diego, CA where we come into contact with the positive minded sounds of Through The Roots. The band consists of Evan Hawkins on lead vocals and guitar, Ross Garcia on bass, Brady O'Rear on keys, Taylor Boatwright on drums, and Chris Cruz on guitar and keys. Their music is a mystifying and captivating blend of reggae influenced rock mixed in with the spirit of Bob Marley with a uplifting and positive message embedded within the music that any like minded individual can take to heart with them. I really appreciated the message embedded within the lyrics that drew me to the guys in the first place, and made me drawn to their infectious aura that emanates so strongly when you first listen to them. A terrific unsung act that is definitely worthy of some love here on the site. Some recommended tracks for you to take a listen at include "Best Friend" and "Stay Positive".

For more information on the guys in Through The Roots, head on over to their Facebook page located here and see what all the buzz is about. They're also active on Twitter, and you can follow them from this location here and stay in touch with the guys on a direct basis. Visit their official website here for more in depth information concerning the gentlemen, and check out their latest remix EP "Zombies", now available for download on iTunes at this link right over here.

Artist Spotlight: Fortunate Youth

Starting off an unusually warm day here in October with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight ready for you! Today, we head out west to Los Angeles, CA and seek out the reggae inflected sounds of Fortunate Youth. The band consists of Dan Kelly on lead vocals, Travi Bongo on percussion, Jered on keys and bass, Greg Gelb on bass and guitar, Corey Drasko on guitar, bass, and keys, and Jordan Rosenthal on drums. The band has a relaxing, ethereal reggae infused sound to them similar to the likes of 311 and Sublime with a down home, roots oriented approach apparent throughout their music that puts you in a relaxed frame of mind right away, ready to escape the troubles and tribulations of your ordinary life. I came across these guys while viewing their concert performance on Audiotree, and I was enthused about the organic approach they took when performing, and they clearly had an enjoyable time performing despite the high temperatures inside the studio that was evident with Jordan the drummer performing shirtless, and the band was clearly having a good time letting loose and doing what comes naturally. A terrific undiscovered band that is deserving of some love here on the East Coast. Some tracks for you to unearth from the dudes include "Sweet Love" and "Farmer".

For more information on the guys in Fortunate Youth, head on over to their Facebook page located right here and see what they're all about and what they can do to better your musical desires. They're also available to be followed on Twitter from this location here and communicate with the guys directly on a one-on-one basis. The band's music is available for public listening consumption over on their ReverbNation page located here, and the band will be performing locally in Boston next Wed. Oct. 23rd at The Paradise, so get your tickets now in a hurry before they sell out!

We Want The Airwaves: The WFNX Story To Premiere This Weekend!

The documentary film about the now defunct local Boston radio station WFNX will make its long awaited premiere this weekend at the 4th Annual Filmshift Film Festival taking place at the Somerville Theater, right in the heart of Davis Square. Directed by Jason Steeves, the film takes us back on a trip down memory lane as we go back to the station's beginnings back in 1983 when it was a fledgling station trying to gain recognition in the local community, and slowly began to build a following with its cutting edge blend of alternative and indie music which was largely unknown at that time, and quickly began to cultivate a local identity with its eclectic on-air personalities such as Henry Santoro contributing a great deal to the station's charisma and attitude.

As I've mentioned many times before here on the site, WFNX had a great deal to do with the current musical tastes that I have now, and I would totally be nowhere without them. I owe a great deal of my musical existence to WFNX, and I can't wait to see this finished product make its debut and I'll be among a great deal of onlookers attending the film premiere. The first showing will take place this Saturday night at 7pm, which tickets are unfortunately sold out for with a party taking place shortly thereafter across the street at Johnny D's that is definitely going to be a hot attraction. Tickets are still available for the screenings taking place on Sunday afternoon at 2pm and 6pm, and you can buy them at this link here.

Last One Out - Still Life Moves EP

Providence, RI's Last One Out have arrived on the scene with their second EP titled Still Life Moves. The 4 song collection is a dazzling array of rock tunes conjured upon an indie rock framework with a slight pop sensibility thrown in for good measure that adds a touch of diversity to a band well on their way to the path of success.

We start things out with "Favorite Van Gogh" a midtempo, straightforward number with a strong vocal pattern brought upon by keyboardist Scott Royal who contributes a great deal to the band's melodic output, and is definitely a force to be reckoned with later on in the effort. "The Cavalry" is my favorite song off the effort: an intense, pulsating rocker that perfectly evokes the unique blend of music that they set out to create the moment they commenced recording on this effort, featuring more varying degrees of instrumentation and a steady, quick pace makes this track one of the staples of their live show and has a totally different sound when you hear it on the record. "Hardwiring" has a more noticeable piano melody ingrained within the confines, but the game remains the same with its inventive and melodic instrumentation weaving its way into your consciousness with a intricate earworm that you can't ignore any longer. "Like A Crown" ends our stay here with a track that manages to bring in elements we've all heard in succession one after another, and features a terrific drum pattern brought forth by Dustin Bailey that ensures everything goes together according to plan, and that we end things right on cue as well. I saw these guys a few weeks ago at The Middle East Upstairs as a part of the Local 929 showcase sponsored by Radio 92.9, and they made a terrific first impression on me with their stage presence being the highlight of the evening and just the way they conducted themselves on stage made me clamor for more from the band, and they seemed like really honest and genuine people when I interacted with a couple of the guys after their set.

Overall, a simply amazing effort from Last One Out, a band who have a clear grasp of the type of music they want to play, and they have that special spark that sets them apart from the other bands on the scene and puts them on a higher pedestal as well.

                                                                                                                                EP Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. The Cavalry
2. Favorite Van Gogh
3. Hardwiring
4. Like A Crown  

Kevin Devine - Bulldozer

Brooklyn, NY's own Kevin Devine has returned with his seventh studio album titled Bulldozer. The follow up to 2011's Between The Concrete and The Clouds finds the introspective singer-songwriter continuing to build the audience abuzz with his deep interwoven lyrics that touch upon a myriad of different topics, and an eclectic and upbeat sound that will gather everyone around you and come together in curiosity and awe at the same time.

We start things out with "Now: Navigate!" an acoustic blended tune that features varying degrees of tempo and Kevin's intriguing vocal stylings starting things out on the right note and puts us in good company as we move forward. "Little Bulldozer" is my favorite song off the effort that features an indelible guitar riff that gnaws at you instantaneously the moment you first hear it, and has a infectious energy about it that you can't shake off and all you can do is sit back and stand in amazement at the depth of talent that Kevin is capable of displaying at any given time and it shines brightly exceptionally on this one. "Couldn't Be Happier" is a darker edged tune featuring somber guitar melodies and allows us to go a little deeper inside Kevin's persona and how he conjures up such masterfully created slices of poetry that just yearn to be heard by unknown ears and marvel at its creation at the same time. "You Brushed Her Breath Aside" is a sleek, midtempo number featuring softly focused guitar licks and Kevin's vocals providing a sense of comfort and companionship as we delve deeper into the second half of the effort laying ahead.

We start the second half off with "The Worm In Every Apple" a breezy, peppy tune that shows off the musicianship of Kevin and his backing band in full force here with riveting melodies and a strong musical state of mind that shows they truly enjoy playing together and know how to work collectively on a musical level. We begin to close things out with "For Eugene", an organically composed track featuring earthy acoustic guitar melodies and Kevin's warm and inviting vocal abilities bringing everyone together for this track and marvel at what we've experienced so far. "Safe" concludes our stay here with an all encapsulating track that brings together all the melodies we've heard together and allows us to look at a glance of how we've gotten to this point and what we've all experienced together emotionally. I must admit that I'm a little late to the Kevin Devine party, but I'm so glad I got the opportunity to check him out when I did. His music is some of the most deeply poetic pieces that I've heard in quite some time, and it's almost that I got to know Kevin a little bit better personally and he's almost like a close friend of mine. That's really the general point of music today, getting to know the listener a little bit better personally and extrapolate their lyrics and apply it to a general life event or topic currently happening in your life today.

In summary, a well rehearsed and executed effort from Kevin Devine, who continues to marvel and excite fans with his wholly unique and captivating blend of music which is continuing to draw in a more expansive audience as we speak and a better understanding of what Kevin is like as a person.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Now: Navigate!
2. Little Bulldozer
3. From Here
4. Couldn't Be Happier
5. You Brushed Her Breath Aside
6. Matter Of Time
7. The Worm In Every Apple
8. She Can See Me
9. For Eugene
10. Safe 

Artist Spotlight: Light Years

Starting off the week right with another brand new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head down to the Buckeye State and travel to Cleveland, OH where we come into contact with Light Years. The band consists of Pat Kennedy, Tommy Englert, Andrew Foerst, and Kent Sliney. The band has an intense, jarring pop-punk sound similar to that of The Early November and Finch with a strong lyrical base to it and intense, guitar installments designed to get you out of your seat and into the thick of things right away with a fast moving pace set in motion that you will definitely be enthralled by. I came across these guys randomly while seeing their performance video on Audiotree, and I was enthralled with their musical presence that really said alot about the group and what they hoped to accomplish musically going forward. A terrific upstart band that is deserving of your attention right away. Some tracks for you to listen to include "Uphill Battles" and "Parking Lots".

For more information on Light Years, 'Like' them on Facebook right here and see what they're like from a musical perspective. The band can be followed on Twitter as well over here and find out when the band will be stopping by your area sometime soon with a concert appearance. Their latest effort, "I Won't Hold It Against You" is now available for free streaming via their Bandcamp site located here for your listening enjoyment.

DK Wins MuzicNotez Rap Battle

Russian rapper DK has won the MuzicNotez Rap portion of the Battle of the Bands contest. It was a hard fought battle through and through, but DK emerged as the favorite on top and has advanced to move on to the next round of the contest. There will be one more genre battle, and then a wild card battle where the 4 battle winners will duke it all out for the championship. DK joins Japanese band LOKA as one of the finalists for the championship battle that will be taking place relatively soon, stay tuned here to the site for further details.

Artist Spotlight: Osaka Street Cutter

Heading into the long Columbus Day weekend with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we stay true to our roots here in Boston and check in with a emerging player in the game by the name of Osaka Street Cutter. The band consists of Adrian Aiello on guitar and vocals, John Godfrey on keys, bass, and vocals, Dan Garrity on guitar, bass, keys, sax, and vocals, Adam Salameh on drums and percussion, and Evan Spetrini on trombone and vocals. The music is a polished, electro aided pulse wave guided by a bevy of upbeat, dreamy instrumentation that reels you in with dashing guitar riffs and a strong vocal refrain that puts you in awe the very moment you first them, and leaves you spellbound by the time the music has concluded. I was impressed with the wealth of diversity emanating from these guys, and they definitely have a playful, charming, and enthusiastic vibe to them that I fell head over heels for and they have definitely pushed their way to the front of the line in the Beantown music scene, and they definitely have a bright future ahead of them as far as I'm concerned. Some tracks for you to check out from them include the indelible "Noisy Stabber".

For more information on the guys in Osaka Street Cutter, check out their Facebook page here and 'Like' it as well so that you can stay within the well of a constant stream of updates emanating directly from the band. You can follow the guys on Twitter as well from right here and find out when the guys will be playing in the greater Boston area again sometime soon. Visit their official website here for more in depth information concerning the gentlemen, and all their music is available for free streaming on their Bandcamp site right over here for your listening pleasure.

MusicBoxPete Presents: Towering Over London To Be Released Next Month!

Proud to announce the forthcoming release of "MusicBoxPete Presents: Towering Over London", the follow up to "Artist Spotlight: Vol.1" that came out in April. For this compilation, we head across the pond to London and discover all the lovely British bands that are making serious noise over there, and are starting to wash up on the musical shores of American audiences as well. I'm pretty excited to release this compilation, as I've always been fond of England and all the things they have to offer, from James Bond to Yorkshire Tea (my obsession as of late), this country is a culturally diverse and musically rich country with bands that have some distinct similarities to our own, and have the highest level of talent and sheer musical quality that is unmatched with any other country on earth.

If you're a band currently residing in the U.K. and would like to have your material submitted in consideration for the album, please send me an e-mail at: musicboxpete@gmail.com and I'll gladly look over all submissions and take them under advisement for the final release. Stay tuned to the site for forthcoming details of the album, including a track listing and release date.

Artist Spotlight: Grandview

Almost ready to close out the week with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head over to Burlington, MA and come across the dynamic sounds of Grandview. The band consists of Lu-lu on guitar, Billy on lead vocals and guitar, Tom on drums, Josh on guitar and backup vocals, and Mike on bass. The band's sound is a cross hybrid between Brand New and The Early November with a strong emphasis put on melody and affecting the listener in a deep and emotional way, which is the overall point of music in general. I stumbled across these guys randomly while surfing the Net, and I found something striking about the band that I haven't seen done on a grand scale in quite some time, an ability to strike an emotional chord with the listener that has a somewhat awakening effect on them that allows one to find out more about themselves and where they go from here on out. A terrific undiscovered band that deserves to bubble up to the top in the scene. Some tracks for you to check out from the guys include "Concrete" and "Pillars".

For more information on Grandview, head on over to their Facebook page right here and stay connected with a steady stream of updates including tour dates and a new EP from the guys which is expected to be released sometime later on in the fall. Check out their music available on their Tumblr site here which is undergoing some remodeling at this very moment, but you can find the music there and all that they have to offer you musically.

Helicopria - SuperGeist

Boston's own Helicopria are back with their all new studio release titled Supergeist. The follow up to last year's Chaos of Closure sees the group continuing to adhere to their unique blend of progressive rock that has made them a must see attraction locally, and have a strong musical presence both on record and in concert that makes them unique among the plethora of local acts.

We start things off with "Red" a blasting, indelible slice of prog-rock heaven with the dazzling vocals of lead singer Allison French providing the energy that immediately jumps to 11 here with a non stop thrill ride of blasting guitar riffs brought forth by the enchanting Sulene Van der Walt that makes this track a joy to listen to through and through. "Worm" starts off with a outstanding drum blast from JP Bouvet that features a bevy of distortion pedals and seductive bass licks from Drew Moore that are the band's hallmark and give them an identity that fans and newcomers can easily relate to and keep them occupied and coming back for more each and every time. "Kit's Song" begins to conclude our stay here with a decidedly downtempo feel that is noticeably different from the other tracks, but works particularly well here and hints at the band's musical diversity that can be felt in full force right here. The disc concludes with my favorite song off the record "Scarecrow" a distorted, jumbled hot mess with an assortment of guitar riffs and Allison's vocals adding a great deal of beauty and intrigue to the album and wrapping things up on a song that accurately represents the band's sound, and what they're all about as well. I had the opportunity to check these guys out in concert last year at Cafe 939 right near Berklee College of Music, and I was immediately floored with their live show which had so much kinetic energy that it was hard to keep up at times, but it didn't matter as the show was spectacular and fully represented the band's distinct and individual personalities that really jump off the page, with Sulene's red hair channeling Hayley Williams of Paramore but with her own badass persona, and the scantily clad bassist Drew usually seen carrying a big green "D" around his neck that just adds to the band's mystique and aura and whose enthusiasm is building as I'm talking to you at this very moment.

In closing, a well implemented and launched effort from Helicopria, a band that is on a mission to take the city by storm and expose their sound to a whole new group of willing and devoted music fans, and have a special unique chemistry that shines through brightly on display.

                                                                                                                          EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Red
2. Worm
3. Kit's Song
4. Scarecrow

Note: The artwork for the album features 4 colorful portraits of each band member presented in vivid color. To view it along with the rest of the album, head on over to their Bandcamp site located right over here.

Artist Spotlight: 3MF

Starting off your week with a brand new edition of my ever popular Artist Spotlight series! Today, we head out to the western portion of the state and head to Northborough, MA and seek out the sounds of our own 3MF (which stands for Third Man Factor.) The band consists of Jake Shea on lead vocals and guitar, Luke Tobin on guitar and vocals, Riley Feeney on bass, Kyle Champeon on saxophone, and James Massucco on drums. The band has a high energy jam band style similar to that of Grateful Dead but mixed in with a little classic rock influence a la Allman Brothers Band that gives the group a stamp of originality and makes them stand out from among the pack of the other local artists currently trying to make it out there in the scene today. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these guys as they had a fun, eclectic playing style that kept me totally enthused all the way throughout, and Kyle's saxophone skills add a great deal of enjoyment and excitability to a band that clearly have a great deal of fun playing together. A terrific local band definitely worthy of your listening time. Some tracks for you to check out from them include "Jack & Jill" and "Fool's Gold".

For more information on the boys in 3MF, head on over to their Facebook page located here and find what you've been missing all this time. The band is on Twitter from this site here and get in touch with the guys to see when they'll be playing in your hometown in the not too distant future. Visit their official website over here for more in depth information concerning the fellows, and check out their debut release "So The Story Goes..." now available for download on iTunes at this link over here.

The Masquerade - Home Is Where You Make It

Erie, PA's own The Masquerade have landed with their debut release titled Home Is Where You Make It. The effort is a effervescent and refreshing slice of pop-punk rhythms mixed upon a unifying lyrical structure that makes the songs pop and sizzle right out of the gate, and brings you right into the thick of things with this emerging band from the Keystone State.

We start things off with "Best Day Of My Life" a hard-rocking, sharply focused rocker that ushers us in right away with the echoing lead vocals of Geo Martinez providing the spark plug that lasts well throughout the duration of the album and long after the song has ended. "Best Day Of My Life" is my favorite song off the album that has a youthful energy to it and a sonic cavalcade that really evokes the spirit and essence of what their music is all about, coupled with dazzling guitar riffs from Brandon Eaton and TJ Hess, with Dakota Valerio providing the pounding drums that accentuate all the other sounds particularly well on this track. "Back Up Plan" has a New Found Glory type of feel to it with intense rhythms and blasting pop-punk wavelengths omnipresent at every turn that showcase a well focused and executed effort worked here to perfection so far. "Set Your Mind To It" begins to close it all out here with a Geo's vocals providing a ping-pong effect that can be felt all over the track and shakes the track down to its very core and provides some good vibes as we move towards the final song. "All My Life" ends it here with an encapsulated track that takes us back to the sounds we've heard in some capacity on the subsequent tracks, and gives us a brief overview of what we've heard so far and how it has affected us as a whole as things close out on point right here. What I enjoyed most about these guys was their ability to keep a simple musical framework in place with pop-punk rhythms that I grew up on and contributed a great deal to the person I am today. These guys have a very simplistic sound that can be enjoyed easily from today's youth, and maybe it can have the same kind of impact on them that the groups of yesteryear had on me.

All in all, a terrific and straightforward effort from The Masquerade, a rookie band to the scene that has the look and feel of a polished pop-punk act that has been doing it for years with a calm and confident stage presence that really turns heads here.

                                                                                                                              EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. The Weekend
2. Best Day Of My Life
3. Back Up Plan
4. Set Your Mind To It
5. All My Life

The Music Tastes of Red Sox Players

With the Boston Red Sox taking on the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon in Game 1 of the ALDS, I thought it would be a good idea to delve into the music tastes of some of the guys on the team. With all the guys carrying on different personalities mostly emanated with their extraordinary facial hair, each player also has their own unique taste in music that you can hear when walking up to the plate at Fenway Park. I've compiled a list of some players and their walkup song that totally evokes their personality and what they seek out to do when they're up at the plate. Here is a list of some selected players and their choice of walk up music:

Clay Buchholz: Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe

This song from the Canadian bred band is a perfect expression of Clay's personality while out on the mound. With his mop of wet hair, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with on the mound and this song is a perfect description of his pitching style.

Daniel Nava: Andy Mineo - The Saints

The slick fielding left fielder brings some Christian hip hop into the mix that shows off his laid back personality and brings a little bit of diversity into the mix here. Noticeably, he is one of the few players on the team who doesn't sport a beard, but that's quite alright with him and this song shows off his clean cut style eloquently.

David Ortiz: Jay-Z f/ Rick Ross - Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit

This intense hip-hop track from one of the best designated hitters to play the game best describes his aggressive and ferocious nature when he comes to the plate. Bound to hit the ball out of Fenway at any given time, this song puts opposing pitchers on notice and makes them shiver in their shoes with this nerve rattling track here.

Dustin Pedroia: Ice Cube - No Vasoline

The scrappy second basemen also is pretty into hip-hop with this blazing track right here that perfectly exemplifies his underdog nature who will foul off pitches continuously until he finds the one he likes and makes you pay for it dearly.

Jacoby Ellsbury: Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as in Paris

This recent hip-hop track from 2 hip hop legends is the perfect accompaniment to our enigmatic base stealer. With ferocious rhythms and non-stop beats, this track ensures that our center fielder is right at the top of his game and moving to the beat of every pitch here.

Jake Peavy: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Dixie/Sweet Home Alabama (Live)

The live version of this classic track from the southern rock pioneers ensures that our recent midseason trade acquisition feels comfortable with his Southern roots as he makes opposing hitters look foolish with his spot on delivery.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Blake Shelton f/ Pistol Annies & Friends - Boys Round Here

Another country boy who is down with his roots is our own power hitting catcher. With an indelible hock of moss adorning his head along with a sensational beard to match, this song helps our catcher keep his mind on the game.

Jonny Gomes: Dropkick Murphys - The Boys Are Back

Old ironsides and his marvelous beard are kept happy with this track from the Boston born and bred act. With an intense and dynamic sound that is much like himself, this track lets opposing teams know what he is all about.

Koji Uehara: Darude - Sandstorm

This classic dance track for our elite closer ensures that the ninth inning is in good hands, and is bound to be enjoyed amid an endless sea of high fives when the Sox pull through with a hard fought victory.

Mike Carp: Sublime - Badfish

This track from the Long Beach bred band is also home to our freshwater beard styled first baseman/left fielder. The track gives him a much needed confidence boost when up at the plate, and is heavily depended upon to get that extra run in the clutch.

Mike Napoli: Daft Punk f/ Pharrell Williams - Get Lucky

This track from my personal favorite Red Sox player out of the bunch ensures that he is loose and limber while at the plate. With an epic beard that deserves to be tugged on after hitting that walk off home run, he is bound to get lucky afterwards.

Shane Victorino: Bob Marley - Three Little Birds

This classic reggae track from our wide ranging right fielder ensures that he is always chirping while up at the plate, while providing some humorous and entertaining antics that show why he is one of the most versatile and fun loving players on the team.

Stephen Drew: Brooks & Dunn - Hillbilly Deluxe

This country tinged tune from one of the few players not joining the beard club, ensures that his smooth hitting and clutch base stealing come in handy when depended upon in clutch situations.

Will Middlebrooks: Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Flood

This classic track is perfectly designed for our third baseman, and has that certain tone and feel for it that ensures that balls hit in his general direction are caught up in his mitt that creates an instant tidal wave of excitement.

Artist Spotlight: Last One Out

Got another edition of Artist Spotlight ready for you today! We're going to head down to Providence, Rhode Island and uncover the sensational sounds of Last One Out. The band consists of Scott Royal on vocals and keys, Scott Mesite on guitar, Jeff Gahan on bass, and Dustin Bailey on drums. The band's music is a unique and dynamic blend of rock rhythms conjured upon an indie pop mindset that is refreshing and a nice change of pace from the other types of music you're currently being exposed to right now. I had the opportunity to check them out in concert a couple of weeks ago at The Middle East Upstairs, and they completely blew me away with their unbridled enthusiasm that they so eloquently displayed on stage that left me clamoring for more and in amazement of the sheer power of their performance. They are definitely a band to be reckoned with, and one that are slowly making their way through the upper echelons of the Boston music scene and are destined for greater success coming up just around the bend. Some tracks for you to unearth from the gentlemen include "The Cavalry" and "Like A Crown".

For more information on Last One Out, head on over to their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well so that you can stay up to date with everything going on in their world. You can follow them on Twitter as well from over here and find out when the band will be stopping by your area again with a concert appearance. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest EP "Still Life Moves" now available for download on iTunes at this link here for your musical enjoyment.

Top 10 Albums of 2003

We take a trip down memory lane today with a look back at some albums that were released in 2003. This list features alot of albums that I have fond memories of, especially in the summer after I graduated high school and these albums have contributed a great deal to my current musical taste, and have enabled me to explore other genres and bands as a result of listening to these following 10 classic albums. Here is the list in no particular order by rank:

Brand New - Deja Entendu

Long Island, New York's Brand New cemented their status as one of the premiere emo-punk bands of my generation with this classic effort. This was one of the first albums I listened to where I didn't skip a single track in between and listened to the entire thing straight through. An absolutely flawless album from start to finish featuring such awesome tracks such as "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows", "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades" and "I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light". Frontman Jesse Lacey is at the top of his game here with haunting vocals reeking of despair and presenting a new facet of the band that hadn't been uncovered up until this point, and allowed them to evolve and gravitate towards other sounds that they hadn't experimented with either. A classic album from beginning to end.

Dashboard Confessional - A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar

Chris Carrabba cemented his lyrical reputation with this terrific third effort. The album changed the game for the band, and immediately catapulted them to a level of stardom never seen before. The album went gold on the strength of such classic tracks like the indelible "Hands Down", "Rapid Hope Loss", and "As Lovers Go". Completely raw and honest in terms of lyrical veracity and blasting melodies, the album clearly articulates the band's musical mission that was fully developed and ready to be exposed on a wider scale to a clear and receptive audience out in front.

Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida's own Yellowcard officially landed with their sensational fourth studio album. The album immediately turned heads with its introduction of a violin player in the band never done before, but worked to perfection here on tracks like 'Way Away", the title track, "Only One", and "Empty Apartment". Frontman Ryan Key's longing shines through brightly on this effort that totally defined my summer of 2003, and I immediately became obsessed with this band from that point forward and have totally enjoyed seeing the band evolve greatly and mature into a confident and static band appreciated by legions of fans all over the world.

Story of The Year - Page Avenue

From the heart of the midwest in St. Louis, Missouri, Story of The Year made their presence known with their major label debut. The album was a raw and dynamic effort, producing a hard edged rock sound that immediately jolted fans and breathed some diversity into the musical format at that time, producing unbelievable tracks like "Until The Day I Die", "Anthem of Our Dying Day", "Sidewalks" and "Razorblades". This album gave me an immediate blood rush, and was an integral part of my freshman year at college that provided me with so many memories along the way that I'll cherish for some time to come.

Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism

Bellingham, Washington's own Death Cab For Cutie gained legions of fans with their fourth studio album. The album became a centerpiece for contemporary indie rock, and was a favorite of Seth Cohen's from The O.C. that completely transcended boundaries, and presented a vivid and detailed lyrical perspective from frontman Ben Gibbard that is very autobiographical in nature, and was eloquently presented in tracks such as "The Sound of Settling" "Title and Registration" and "The New Year". An album that completely jump started my love for indie rock, and allowed me to look at music a little bit deeper within the melodies and lyrics.

Thrice - The Artist In The Ambulance

Irvine, California's Thrice officially hit it big with their outstanding third album. The effort was a raw and realistic effort that delved into the more technical side of the band with complex time signatures and melodic hardcore breakdowns that have become their hallmark for quite some time, and gained a  huge legion of fans (myself included) with this cathartic release. Some standout tracks from this release include "All That's Left", "Stare at The Sun", "Paper Tigers", and "The Melting Point of Wax". While they're currently on hiatus, I anxiously anticipate their return with baited breath and hope they continue their musical mission that they set on with this album.

Thursday - War All The Time

East Brunswick, New Jersey's Thursday broke on through with their third studio album here. The effort followed up the previous year's fantastic Full Collapse, but this effort cut right to the core with a honest and reflective set of poetic blasts that created the basic foundation of their fanbase, and immediately sprang them to life with a collection of blasting and emotionally charged tracks, such as "Signals In The Air", "For The Workforce, Drowning", "Division St." and "Asleep In The Chapel". A terrific start from a band who got their start performing in basement shows in NJ, and showed their devotion to their home state with this incredible collection of compositions.

The Early November - The Room's Too Cold

Another band hailing from the Garden State, The Early November brought their blend of emo-punk to the masses with their debut full length, The Room's Too Cold. The effort brought frontman Ace Enders and Co. to the forefront with a honest and heartfelt collection of tunes that really presents the bare bones essence of what music is all about and really left an impression on me that just made me stand there with awe and see their musical presence unfold right before my eyes. Some tracks that really stand out on this one include "Ever So Sweet", "Something That Produces Results", "My Sleep Pattern Changed", and "Everything's Too Cold...But You're So Hot". An outstanding collection from a band that wasn't as well known from their peers in the scene, but contributed a great deal of musical gifts to the masses with this one.

The Postal Service - Give Up

A side project of Death Cab's Ben Gibbard, The Postal Service made a hell of a first impression with their debut, Give Up. The effort coupled the worlds of indie and electronic into a brand new genre called indietronica and completely transformed the musical landscape into a sea of shifting rhythms and harmonies that were unlike anything currently out there in the world of music at that time. It created a whole new genre of sorts, and immediately threw out the musical rulebook in the process where you didn't need to abide by any rules or regulations when creating these out of this world jams. Some standout tracks from this collection include "Such Great Heights", "We Will Become Silhouettes", and "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight". A terrific collection from an act that was their only studio effort to date, and changed the musical landscape as we know it.

The White Stripes - Elephant

The fourth studio album from The White Stripes proved they were worth all the buzz generated about the months before this release came out. A thorough and exhilarating collection of tracks that completely defined the style of early '00's alternative rock, and made them lauded and respected in multiple circles and gave a whole new meaning to the framework of garage rock that was all over the musical world at that time. An incredible collection of tracks including "Seven Nation Army", "The Hardest Button to Button", and "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself". An outstanding album that really started my love of garage rock, and gave me a whole set of musical notes to whet my musical appetite.