Sunbird - Inside My Head

The Boston based group known as Sunbird just put out their latest collection last month titled "Inside My Head". The collection takes a classic rock oriented approach, coupled with dabbles in neo-psychedelia that makes the group stand out prominently from the other groups on the rise out there, but the band has their own unique and identifiable thumbprint that gives them an edge and aren't just a soundalike band.

We start things out with the title track, a mellow and breezy tune that introduces you to the band's musical escapades and the terrific lead vocals of frontman Everett McKee who contributes a great deal to the band's melodic sensibilities that are only just unfolding right before your very eyes and ears. "Peace Beneath The City" is another terrific and low-key track, hinting at the band's superb ability to weave a certain ethereal, calm nature that is brought about with simple instrumentation thrown about in the background for good measure that doesn't have to do too much and is just enough for the casual music listener to appreciate at ear level. "Underneath the Moon" is perhaps my favorite track off the album that really encapsulates the band's musical aesthetic perfectly to a T, with warm and inviting melodies and soothing, periodic vocals emanating from Everett provide for an immensely enjoyable listening experience that is the tipping point for getting into this band at full steam. "Juliet" is another prominent track featuring more noticeable and polished guitar licks that allow the band to evolve just slightly, but still retain the trademark characteristics that make them who they are both personally and musically.

The second half takes shape with "Who Am I", a track that has a certain slight groove laden edge to it that shows the band in their comfort zone and taking their sound to another level to keep the audience in tune for what lays ahead. "Blue Sky" sees the guys do justice to an Allman Brothers tune with their own personalities bubbling to the surface, and they avoid doing a note-by-note recreation of the track and instead put out their own vision of the track and takes it to places that are more reflective of the musical climate today. "Motionless Faces" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with ample musical experimentation for the masses coupled with a calm and relaxed nature to it that puts in a positive frame of mind almost immediately. "Civilian" closes it all with a terrific acoustic number that allows us to look back on the effort in a reflective manner with Everett's wistful voice running rampant throughout the track and is brought all together with the warmth and camaraderie of all his bandmates around him to close out the album right. I was very intrigued by this album, and I loved the fact that the guys didn't have to do too much and were solely focused on creating music that they only knew how to make and unveil their creative sound to a captive and far reaching audience.

In summary, a terrific and well mixed effort from Sunbird, a Boston band that is definitely worthy of some attention and notice with a collection that exposes their organic and straightforward sound to an audience that is clamoring for a break from the ordinary type of music currently populating the scene.

                                                                                                                        Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Inside My Head
2. Ghost Town
3. Peace Beneath The City
4. Underneath The Moon
5. On The Run
6. Juliet
7. Who Am I
8. End to End
9. Blue Sky
10. Light as a Feather
11. Motionless Faces
12. Civilian

Tales of Olde - Txo EP

Boston indie-folk upstarts Tales of Olde have finally released their long awaited self-titled debut EP. The group have been gaining some recognition in the local circles with their authentic blend of folk rock turning heads and generating a huge audience response in the process that has made them a must see draw.

We start things off with "Death", a high energy, melodic folk rock blast that sets things in motion particularly quickly, and introduces you to the fine vocal abilities of the husband and wife team of Lucas and Evelyn Cortazio that shows the strong and deep musical bond that permeates throughout the whole album and allows each individual musician to perform at their highest level possible and bounce ideas off of each other when needed. "Be Mine Again" is my favorite track off the album that completely exemplifies the band's musical mission with the exquisite work on the fiddle courtesy of Ellen Story while her husband Drew handles the guitar duties with remarkable aplomb resulting in a strong emotional effect that really makes you love the group that much more and is probably one of the best homegrown tracks that I can remember in recent memory. "Ghost In My Head" provides for a more different frame of mind with outstanding rhythms that deviate greatly from the primarily folk based melodies that were abound in the first couple of tracks, but it gives off an air of diversity and musicianship never before seen with outstanding rhythms and the insatiable one-two punch of drummer Al Cleveland and bassist Jeff Kinsey who are the backbone of the group's rhythm section and help push the band to new heights that couldn't have been deemed possible. "Why" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with a more downtempo musical course that has more varied instrumentation, but still retains the folk based mindset from the prior tracks and establishes the band's resolve pretty quickly and their ability to weave emotion through unabashed beauty that has flourished right from the very beginning. "Tell Me" concludes our musical stay here with an all encompassing track that acts as a reflection of everything we've heard on the album while presenting it in a soft and delicate musical format that comes full circle and presents all the band's strengths together in one unique package. I saw these guys in concert last week at Great Scott on the occasion of the album's release, and I was floored at how much these guys dominated the stage that night from beginning to end, where they let all their emotions flow out greatly and you began to realize at how genuine and real these musicians were with their audience that showcased their true colors and what they were like as regular people also.

In retrospect, a terrific and spectacular debut effort from Tales of Olde, a band that have been making waves in the local scene for a couple of years now, and are bound to get even bigger with this release that signifies a strong musical statement and the kinship developed between all the musicians as the result of playing together.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Death
2. Be Mine Again
3. Ghost In My Head
4. Why
5. Tell Me    

Nick Santino - Big Skies

Braintree, MA native Nick Santino has released his full length debut solo album titled Big Skies. The former lead singer of A Rocket To The Moon is expanding his horizons with a collection of folk based tunes that is markedly different from his prior band, and seeks to delve deeper into his influences that are aimed at an entirely different musical audience who will definitely appreciate the message and diversity emanating greatly from his current musical location.

"Bad Taste" starts things off with an easy-going, laid back folk vibe permeating the outset of the track and features Nick's easy going vocal delivery that he perfected with his other side project called Nick Santino & The Northern Wind that allowed him to get his feet wet with this particular type of music that appears to suit him particularly well. "Can't Say I Miss You" is my favorite track off the album, a highly melodic and vibrant track that really signifies a deep change of pace within Nick's life that has completely altered his vision of music and the path that he's on that is leading him to places never before imagined and the musical imagery that is conjured up here is beyond remarkable. "Jackson Browne" is a more downtempo number featuring Nick's remarkable vocal range hard at work once again delivering a quality number that speaks to mind about the depth and quality of talent that Nick is churning out right here before you, and is only destined to get better as the album goes along. "Keep It Going" features an old school folk vibe with some neat piano arrangements working in its way for a real authentic and homespun track serving up some Southern comfort for the listener that is easily enjoyable from listeners of all genres.

The second half begins with "It Is What It Is", a banjo infused number that is beyond incredible in any sense of the imagination and presents Nick's earnest and refreshing blend of folk rock that is giving him a whole new mindset and audience that is enthralled with his musical presence and everything he has to offer. "Have A Little Faith In Me" dims the lights down low with a romantic vibe that is perfect for you to curl up with your loved one and share wavelengths as you take in the aura of everything around you that sums up the mood perfectly and eloquently. "Mood Ring Eyes" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with a bombastic number that amps up the musical velocity substantially with upbeat instrumentation and Nick's voice once again setting the stage for what is about to come. "She Don't Miss Me" ends it all here with a soft, whispering track that does a great job of wrapping everything up and best highlights and accentuates Nick's vocal abilities that are well suited for tracks with varying degrees of tempos, and Nick accomplishes that task with remarkable aplomb and more here on this one. When I first featured Nick Santino & The Northern Wind as an Artist Spotlight at the beginning of the year, it proved to be overwhelmingly popular and was viewed well over 200 times over the subsequent days after the post, and the interview I did with him 2 weeks later more than doubled those numbers overall, showcasing the overall popularity of Nick Santino not just from a local standpoint here in Boston, but is a real testament to his fans all across the country and the world over who generally appreciate his style of music and the message embedded within the lyrics.

Overall, an absolutely astounding and well polished effort from Nick Santino, who has delivered on all fronts to create a concise and cohesive studio effort that adequately articulates his musical mission of self-discovery that has taken him to all sorts of places and made him realize who he as a musician and human being. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                    Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Bad Taste
2. Can't Say I Miss You
3. Gone Like Yesterday
4. Jackson Browne
5. Keep On Going
6. Back To Where I'm From
7. It Is What It Is
8. Have A Little Faith In Me
9. Long Way Home
10. Mood Ring Eyes
11. She Don't Miss Me     

Phillip Phillips - Behind The Light

Leesburg, Georgia based Phillip Phillips is ready with his sophomore studio set titled Behind The Light. The follow up to his successful 2012 debut The World From The Side of The Moon, Phillip continues to build upon the buzz and aura surrounding his debut and captures his audience's attention with his powerful and emotional voice resonating strongly throughout the folk based tunes that are omnipresent through this terrific effort.

We start things out with "Searchlight", a simple and beautiful arrangement with Phillip's southern charm working its way through immediately upon impact and builds upon the intro with a harmonic mixture of acoustic guitar rhythms and layered upon with dense instrumentation that sounds terrific when it's all combined together. "Raging Fire" is the album's first single and is a harmonic slice of musical bliss with a steady pace that allows the prospective listener to take notice of all the terrific musical notes abound at every turn and Phillip's vocal work making the experience that much more enjoyable. "Lead On" is my favorite track off the album that is the purest example of Phillip's musical craft hard at work here with refreshing folk infused rhythms and Phillip's voice telling the story and expressing his Georgia upbringing that is hard working and indicative of the environment he grew up in as well. "Alive Again" does a neat job of having Phillip's guitar tell the story with a harmonic and building percussion element setting its way in nicely for the second half of the effort to follow.

The second half begins with "Fool For You", a complete studio effort with everything that you could possibly imagine from Phillip: deep and passionate vocals, excellent instrumentation, and his dynamic vision coming to fruition on this one. "Fly" is a simply constructed musical element with soft, whispering guitars and Phillip's strong musical presence elevating the song into a full featured track towards the end that towers over the others in terms of its appearance and features in its musical arsenal. "Unpack Your Heart" is a beautiful, heartfelt number that does a great job of tugging at those old heartstrings with emotion drenched guitars being the trigger that sets the whole song apart from all the others on the disc. "Midnight Sun" ends it all here with an encapsulated number that brings in elements we've heard earlier on the album, and gives us a recap of what we heard previously and how we got to this point musically as well. I've always been a deep admirer of Phillip ever since I saw him on American Idol, and I know he had that instant charisma and Georgia bred charm that could win over the hearts of anyone in his presence, and the fact that he has that raw and weathered voice makes his music all the more authentic and puts it on a higher pedestal than other similar artists out there today.

Overall, a terrific effort heard here from Phillip Phillips. While not as good as his first effort, he does a great job of continuing to adhere to everything that he knows musically, and inspire countless others in his wake including myself.

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Searchlight
2. Raging Fire
3. Trigger
4. Lead On
5. Alive Again
6. Open Your Eyes
7. Fool For You
8. Thicket
9. Fly
10. Unpack Your Heart
11. Face
12. Midnight Sun  

The Black Keys - Turn Blue

From the blue collar town of Akron, OH The Black Keys have returned with their eighth studio set titled Turn Blue. The follow up to 2011's El Camino finds the blues rock duo continuing to strictly adhere to their raw and grimy blend of blues and indie rhythms that have made them a hot commodity as of late, and ensures that they remain at the top of the music heap where they squarely belong.

We kick things off with "Weight of Love", a nearly 7 minute long opus that finds frontman Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney clearly focused and ready to drudge ahead with a strong classic rock influence permeating the outset of the song and features delicately placed melodies throughout that coincide well with Dan's organically laced vocals. The title track provides some delectable melodies conjured up by producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse who helmed the last 4 Black Keys efforts including this one and is also a successful musician in his own right with Broken Bells featuring James Mercer of The Shins. The first single "Fever" is my favorite track off the album, a frenetic listening experience coupled with the band's signature blues element maimed all throughout and hearing Dan's familiar vocal refrain working its way through the tunnels of the song brings about a remarkable feeling of comfort and warmth, knowing you're going to get a quality and thorough listening experience as a the result of it. "Bullet In The Brain" is a more downtempo number than the other musical creations, but still packs a powerful punch nonetheless and gets us ready for the second half of the effort with great fervor and anticipation.

The second half charges out of the gate with "It's Up To You Now", featuring some outstanding drum work from Pat that will leave you totally floored and speechless, and seeing how it sounds stacked upon layer after layer of instrumentation leads to one of the most impressively constructed tunes laid out on the disc. "Waiting On Words" is another exemplary effort that really signifies the deep musical bond between Dan and Pat that is manifesting itself and blossoming even deeper right before our very eyes into something purely magical and transcendent. We finish up the final two tracks on the disc with "In Our Prime", a piano laced effort that really nails it and hits it right out of the park with thoughtful musical precision setting the stage for the final track, "Gotta Get Away" a supremely and impeccably produced effort has an extremely consistent melody all the way throughout and is flawless in terms of its effect on the listener and the ability it possesses to wrap the whole album up neatly and succinctly. The Black Keys have never ceased to amaze me with each album they put out and their flawless and electric musical presence have left me constantly gasping for air as I can't seem to contain myself and ask the question, "How can music be this good?"

All in all, a supreme and delectable musical effort from the Black Keys, a band who are clearly in their prime and have no reason to improve upon from their last effort because it's just as good and are one of the premiere acts in music today.

                                                                                                                                Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Weight of Love
2. In Time
3. Turn Blue
4. Fever
5. Year In Review
6. Bullet In The Brain
7. It's Up To You Now
8. Waiting on Words
9. 10 Lovers
10. In Our Prime
11. Gotta Get Away    

The Foresters - Living Hold

Bethany, CT based The Foresters have just released their latest album titled "Living Hold". The follow up to their 2012 self-titled release finds the youngsters coming into their own as musicians who are venturing into their mid-teens with the wisdom and musical fortitude of someone much older than they are, but the kids know how to keep everything in check and take it all in stride right here.

Things start out with "Fade To Black", a raw and dirty rock track featuring frontman Evan Nork's exquisite vocal work that has gradually evolved from their prior releases, and shows a group that are more than capable of handling everything thrown their way, which they accomplish with remarkable accuracy and pinpoint precision. "Addiction" features some more dynamic punk influences inspired by Green Day and shows the musical talent of Evan's brothers Hayden and Liam who do exceptional jobs on the bass and drums respectively that really is a collaborative effort and a wonder to see unfold right before you musically. "Big Mountain Fudgecake" is my favorite track off the effort that shows some White Stripes influences seeping through the walls with the boys' musical depth growing right before our very eyes with garage rock influenced vocals and tightly wound instrumentation that shows a remarkable leap forward in terms of musicality and raw talent.

The second half of the effort features "Way Up High", a track that echoes the sentiments of youth today with its references to "teenage girls that will break your heart" which youngsters can relate to and ones that will connect even further with their peers in the same age range that will definitely take this track to heart more than the other ones featured on here. "Good Clean Fun" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with a series of "whoa-whoa-whoas" featured within the lyrical framework that melds in together wonderfully with the hard nosed rhythms in place that shows that the boys know exactly what they're doing and where they're headed musically. "Take Your Makeup Off The Wall" concludes our musical stay here with a mostly acoustic number that shows the diversity of the group with the boys working together to deliver a quality, standout track that listeners will remember and look back fondly on as the signature song of the album that ties everything up and presents us with a scrapbook of sorts as to what we've heard musically just now. It's been a pleasure seeing these boys evolve from when I first covered them on the site just 2 years ago, and they've made a huge progression forward in terms of maturity and giftedness that I can't possibly believe and I can safely say that they're not kids anymore, but they're teenagers coming into their own as musicians who genuinely love what they do in their spare time away from their schoolwork.

Looking back, a terrific and well produced effort from The Foresters, a band who are taking the next step up the musical ladder and into a different phase of their lives with an effort that adequately expresses their musical desires and dreams that are slowly coming into fruition right before them.

                                                                                                                      Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Fade To Black
2. Addiction
3. Big Mountain Fudgecake
4. Julie Sue
5. Way Up High
6. Good Clean Fun
7. Take Your Makeup Off The Wall  

Dan Masterson - Learn To Live

Walpole, MA singer-songwriter Dan Masterson is back with his all new studio effort titled Learn To Live. The dynamic and versatile musician has been featured here on the site previously in the past, and this new effort fully realizes the creative vision that he had in mind when he was conjuring up these tracks in the studio, and really encapsulates the type of musician that he aspires to be.

We start things out with the title track, a piano fueled odyssey with Dan's vocals melding in together wonderfully with the instrumentation at hand which is reminiscent of artists such as Ben Folds and Andrew McMahon with a musical originality that is all his own and is starting to come into his own right before our very eyes and ears. "Twice" is my favorite tune off the effort that evokes a more folk-rock sensibility that suits Dan particularly well, and shows the remarkable musical growth that he has shown in such a short span of time with his vocals able to adapt easily to the ever changing musical climate around him, and this track definitely takes the cake from all the others on this effort. "Fine" is a more downtempo effort and features a pure piano based melody that takes a hold of you pretty quickly and wraps you into its world where Dan eloquently communicates his musical quest to a captive and receptive audience. "Helpless" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with another folk based track that gives us the best of both worlds with Dan's insatiable musical vision continuing to mold and take shape with this inventive effort that adequately portrays where Dan is musically and in his personal life as well. "Bayonet" ends our musical stay here with a subtle, neatly focused musical arrangement with Dan's whispering vocals adding a great deal of beauty and sophistication to a simple yet elegant track that ties everything together in one neat little package and sends us on our way with a great effort to look back fondly on. It's been a pleasure seeing Dan mature musically over the years, as I covered him on the site previously a few years ago when he was first starting out and I was amazed at how his talent was constantly developing and he was always looking for ways to improve and hone his craft, and it struck me at how dedicated he was to his music career and how he would always focus his creative energies on getting better musically and seeing what lay ahead down the road.

All in all, a terrific and well rehearsed effort from Dan Masterson, a musician who is continuing to develop right before us into a jack of all trades who is more than capable of handling anything thrown before him, and turn it into honest and beautifully crafted compositions.

                                                                                                                                 EP Score: 4/5

"Learn To Live" is available for purchase physically and digitally via Dan's Bandcamp site right over here.

Track Listing:

1. Learn To Live
2. Twice
3. Fine
4. Helpless
5. Bayonet   

As It Is - This Mind of Mine

Brighton, UK's own pop-punk sensations As It Is have just unveiled their brand new studio effort titled This Mind of Mine. The transatlantic band has been making a name for themselves in their native land, and are ready to bring their unbridled and no-holds blend of pop-punk onto the shores of American music listeners with this terrific set that clearly articulates their musical message to an open and receptive crowd.

The disc starts off strong with "Bitter, Broken Me" an intense, fast paced track featuring the terrific vocals of Patty Walters and Ben Biss who do an outstanding job of combining their talents into a melodic thunderball that can't possibly be stopped and gets better as it goes along plus with repeated listens as well. "Horoscopes" is my favorite song off the album and features a more piercing and high energy vocal scream that is slightly reminiscent of Pierce The Veil, but are able to maintain some of their own elements that make them awesome beyond any stretch of the imagination, and the terrific guitar work of Andy Westhead and the percussion abilities of Pat Foley are well exemplified and showcase the tremendous talent and strong camaraderie that is omnipresent all throughout the group. "Can't Save Myself" is another outstanding number with highly melodic guitar riffs punctuated by deep instrumental outbursts that complement the vocals extremely well and is probably the best produced track on the album that really hits it out of the park in terms of its emotional impact on the listener who will grow to love this track immediately upon first listen, and all of the other compositions on this EP as well. "Relive The Story" ends our stay here with a downtempo number that is decidedly different from the other tracks on the effort, and really tugs at the heartstrings and hits that emotional note that completely blew me away and made me love the group that much more, and shows how much they truly care about their fans and in return the music that they put out for them that gives them so much joy and enthusiasm day in and day out. Out of all the British bands I've covered in my travels, As It Is are probably the best out of the bunch and really have a grasp of the type of music they want to play and the message that they want to convey to the listener, and when it does come out it's some of the most explosive and melodic music I've heard in quite some time and is without a doubt one of my favorite albums of the year so far.

In closing, a tremendous and exemplary effort from As It Is, one of the most exquisite British bands out there right now that U.S. music fans will grow to love as much as I have, and are well on their way to accomplishing something special and extraordinary. Buy now, highly recommended!

                                                                                                                                 EP Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Bitter, Broken Me
2. Horoscopes
3. Can't Save Myself
4. Relive The Story 

The Okay Win - Nothing's Not Moving

Boston bred indie act The Okay Win is back with their all new studio album titled Nothing's Not Moving. The group have been relatively low key and flying under the radar over the last few years, and have returned with a new set that evokes their broad ranging tempo of indie rock that moves around exponentially in terms of mood and can't possibly be confined to one genre, a characteristic that the band is quite alright with.

The album kicks off with the dreary "Shift", a track that familiarizes you with the lead vocals of Stephen MacDonald and sets events into motion right away with the somber melodies providing the emotional backdrop for this tough and gritty track. "In A Way" is a more vibrant, eclectic track featuring some Springsteen styled elements thrown in for good measure and Steve's rough textured vocals melding in together nicely, and featuring some great guitar licks from Adam McElreath of Big Big Buildings fame who contributes a great deal to the band's melodic veracity that is well represented and in fine form here. "Reaction" takes a different approach from the previous tracks, and relies on the sole nature of the well complemented guitars at hand to create a sonically charged environment that evokes their style and satisfies their creative vision that they set forth when they headed into the studio to create this effort. My favorite track off the album is "The Glass" a sheer, well encapsulated moment of bliss with the collective efforts and musical wisdom of everyone gathered to create a song that signifies who they are as musicians and where they are in their respective lives as well.

The second half features "Satellite" a subtle, stratospheric track that is one of the more technically enhanced tracks featured on the album with Adam's echoing vocals whispering from another dimension and adding a great deal of aura and mystery to a very diverse and eclectic effort heard here so far. "The Hook" takes things down a few notches with a more downtempo musical state of mind with great rips in the musical surface and dreary melodies that showcase the band's ability to weave emotion into musical art that is constantly shifting and morphing right in front of you. "You Were Control" concludes matters here with a track that completely encapsulates Steve's musical persona that he's crafted in the past with his solo work, and comes to fruition here with a mellow and relatively low-key track with wonderful instrumentation that allows each band member to back each other up and bring things into perspective here as the album draws to a close. I've been close friends with a few of the guys from the band since high school, and I was introduced to Steve shortly after I graduated from college and I'm amazed with the way he's grown after our first meeting both personally and professionally, and how he's grown out of his shell into a more confident and capable musician willing to pour all of his emotions out there for everyone to see, and has all his bandmates along for the journey to wherever the music will take them.

Overall, a well constructed effort from The Okay Win, a band who have been a clear underdog in the Boston scene for a few years now, but the members are quite alright with that label and are just willing to play for wherever the crowds gather with open ears.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Shift
2. In A Way
3. Legion (When Coming Home)
4. Reaction
5. The Glass
6. Every Face In A Wave
7. Satellites
8. The Hook
9. Vibrations
10. You Were Control      

Manchester Orchestra - Cope

Atlanta, GA's own Manchester Orchestra are back with their fourth studio set titled Cope. The follow up to 2011's Simple Math finds the Andy Hull led group continuing to adhere to their musical mindset that has served them well in the past and has been so successful for them as well in their ability to communicate effectively with their audience that grabs onto every melody and word that comes from their musical arena.

The album starts out with the gritty "Top Notch" a tough, varied rocker that reintroduces you to Andy's familiar vocal refrain that is the basis for all of Manchester's material and works pretty well in setting the pace and tempo of the album to follow that is on par with their prior releases. "Choose You" is another solid track, and takes it up a notch further with high energy guitar riffs and a faster pace that allows for the band to be more versatile along the way and do things outside of the box to give fans and new listeners a wide musical palette to choose from. My favorite track off the effort is "The Mansion" an outstanding, subtle musical joy that really hits you the moment you first hear it, and eloquently and vividly displays Andy and the band's musical quest that is coming to fruition here with insightful lyricism and the comfort of the bandmates providing you with everything that you could possibly imagine. "The Ocean" has a steady, melodic progression going for it that is one of the most cohesive tracks found on the album that does a great job of highlighting the band's work aesthetic that has created some daunting pieces in the past, and makes more musical highlight reels with this song heard here.

The second half begins with "All I Really Wanted" a hard nosed, progressive rocker that shows a different side of the group that we haven't had the opportunity to witness until just now with more wide ranging guitar licks and Andy's subtle vocal charm leaving an indelible impression on you from the outset. "Trees" features more varied and dynamic musical shifts that shows everyone that these guys know what they're doing and have a handle on how things should sound and look from here on out. The disc begins to draw to a close on "See It Again", a toned down rocker that is decidedly different form the prior tracks and has a low key feel to it to differentiate it from the other songs on the album and further enhances the band's resolve that is already in fine fashion here. The title track ends it here on a sprawling opus that takes into account everything we've heard in succession, and brings it to us on a musical platter that allows us to better understand everything that we've come into contact with musically and apply it somehow into our everyday lives. I've been an admirer of Manchester Orchestra ever since Mean Everything To Nothing came out in '09, and it really spoke to me in gravitas about the wealth of talent and knowledge amassed inside Andy Hull that when exposed, is a breath of fresh air and allows each individual musician to get better at their craft as a result of it.

All in all, a great effort from Manchester Orchestra who continue to get increasingly better with each creation they put out that speaks to mind about the depth and level of talent that is emanating strongly from their general area.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Top Notch
2. Choose You
3. Girl Harbor
4. The Mansion
5. The Ocean
6. Every Stone
7. All I Really Wanted
8. Trees
9. Indentions
10. See It Again
11. Cope   

Luke Elliot - Provisions

New Jersey bred singer-songwriter Luke Elliot will be releasing his sophomore EP next month titled Provisions. The effort is a dynamic and intriguing effort that takes on a musical journey through Luke's influences that concentrate mostly within the folk realm, and sort of has a storytelling quality similar to that of Bob Dylan with a sound that is all his own and with a certain authenticity that makes him stand out.

"Benny's A Bum" kicks off our odyssey with a strong, melodic state of mind and Luke's gritty and rough vocals working their way through the onslaught of rhythm, and evoking the sensibilities of recent newcomer Jake Bugg from across the pond whose influences are well represented throughout Luke's sound. "To Feel Your Love" is a more downtempo number, but a hauntingly beautiful track that shows a different side of Luke that is just yearning to break free from the pack and rise to the surface with rich piano based melodies being the star of the show here and showcasing Luke's diverse abilities as a singer-songwriter that have so far been well documented. "Virginia" is a old school style folk track with the evoking characteristics of Dylan evoked within his musical style that just screams plain authenticity and makes the listening experience that much enjoyable and makes us look forward to the rest of the effort to follow. My favorite track off the effort is "I Get It Anyhow" a stark, highly passionate track that fully evokes Luke's capabilities as a burgeoning singer-songwriter and features cleverly orchestrated acoustic guitar rhythms and well written lyrics that showcase a musician who is clearly in his element right now. "Ballad of a Priest" closes out our musical stay with a track that sound like something you might hear at a baseball game, and does a neat job of bringing in the musical elements we've heard previously, and presents the overview into one complete package showcasing the highlights that are fit to spare. Luke has a very rich and dynamic stage presence that will make him a longer lasting musician than most others with his ability to hone in on his influences and express it with the sincerity and musical identity that is all his own.

Looking back, a terrific and musical rich effort from Luke Elliot, a musician that I'm sure we'll be hearing more from in the future with his musical abilities on clear display for everyone to be entranced and marveled over at the same time. Don't forget to pick up "Provisions" when it comes out on May 6!

                                                                                                                                  EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Benny's A Bum
2. To Feel Your Love
3. Virginia
4. I Get It Anyhow
5. Ballad of a Priest 

Sulene - Holding Words Back

Sulene Van Der Walt of Helicopria fame is stepping out on her own with her debut solo EP titled Holding Words Back. The 4 song collection is a terrific gathering of lyrical sonnets that read like poetry and express Sulene's unique and dynamic personality that has been yearning to break free for quite some time now.

The title track starts things out, and even though is only just a minute long, it offers up a mysterious aura and vibe that shows the musical images that we may come into contact with during our listening experience. "Purgatory" is my favorite track off the disc that totally encapsulates the sound and vibe that Sulene was aiming for when she first stepped into the studio to craft these songs. It has a distinct Paramore vibe to it that melds in wonderfully with the poetic imagery that is omnipresent throughout Sulene's lyrics. "Worst Version of Me" is a more aggressive, high energy number that moves at a faster pace than the others and presents a breadth of diversity emanating strongly from Sulene's musical conscience that is running a mile and minute and gives us a whole smorgasbord of emotion based around the gravity well surrounding her. "Lovers Lost" closes it all out with a mostly acoustic based number that showcases Sulene's abilities as a singer-songwriter and how dedicated and passionate she is towards her craft that has evolved greatly from her beginnings, and has blossomed into a fully confident and driven musician capable of anything put right in front of her. I've had the pleasure of knowing Sulene for a couple of years now, going back to the time I first saw her with Helicopria back in early 2012 at Cafe 939, right near the Berklee College of Music where she attended. I was impressed with her stage presence, but most important her sheer beauty set her apart from the crowd and made me realize that she was the true star of the show, and had her own independent voice that was totally segregated from the rest of the group which I didn't know at that time. Now seeing her on her own makes me realize that her dream and vision is finally coming to fruition and is beginning to unravel and showcasing to everyone the confident woman she has become.

Overall, a terrific and outstanding debut effort from Sulene, a hauntingly beautiful creative force that has made her dreams a reality by striking out on her own and seeing what lays beyond the confines of the musical fence that is brimming with untapped potential.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Holding Words Back
2. Purgatory
3. Worst Version of Me
4. Lovers Lost   

NOTE: Sulene's EP is only available for download via iTunes at this link located right here.

Foster The People - Supermodel

LA's synth rock sensations Foster The People are back with their sophomore effort titled Supermodel. The follow up to 2011's Torches finds the eclectic trio continuing to bring their unique blend of indie influences stacked upon an electronic dance-rock vibe that is funky and presents an upbeat sound despite the lyrical content that touches upon the commercialization and decline of modern American music.

The disc starts out with the upbeat "Are You What You Want to Be?" a high energy, upbeat tracks featuring the extremely talented and versatile vocals of frontman Mark Foster who can adapt his vocals through any musical wavelength thrown at him and possesses a rare ability that is marveled at by fans and fellow musicians alike. "Ask Yourself" starts out with a neat acoustic guitar melody before a barrage of handclaps comes in and takes over the musical realm and space with a dazzling display of Mark's vocals and the upbeat instrumentation at bay that gives the song an indelible one-two punch that is indicative of the type of music that they're capable of playing. The album's highlight and my favorite track off the album is the disc's first single "Coming of Age" a barrage of indie-electro melodies conjured upon an indelible earworm that will wrap you up and pull you right into their world ripe with a bevy of out of this world sounds that you've never experienced before. "Psuedologia Fantastica" is an intriguing number with tripped out instrumentation and a change of pace from the group that are always an easy going, adventure loving bunch who always have a craving for experience the unknown musical wonders, and this number certainly does the trick.

The second half begins with the groove laden "Best Friend", an infectious jolt of lightning with Mark's vocals working wonders through the musical caverns and showcasing the talents of the other gentlemen in the group, Cubbie Fink and Mark Pontius who do a splendid job of rounding out the sound and topping it off for the prospective listener. "Goats In Trees" is a nifty little number with Mark presenting his talents in the company of an acoustic guitar which we heard earlier on in the album, and this is a totally organic number that relies on the musical environment around him to churn out a quality track that will be appreciated by those listening. The disc begins to close out with "The Truth", a distorted number punctuated by long, jarring sound effects that eventually mold into a sonic mixture that will take some time getting used to, but will learn to understand later on after listening to the album repeatedly. "Fire Escape" ends our stay here with a low key, downtempo number that brings in elements we've heard previously on the effort, and gives us the opportunity to come back into contact with all the sonic wonders and see what has transpired thus far musically. Foster the People have been one of those bands that came out of nowhere and dominated my playlist when they first came out a couple of years ago with "Pumped Up Kicks". At first, I thought they would be a one-hit wonder, but they surely proved me wrong after that, knocking off a score of other hits from Torches including "Helena Beat" "Call It What You Want" "Houdini" and "Don't Stop (Color on The Walls)". I've learned to respect and appreciate their music even more after repeated listens, and they have a definite knack for keeping their listening audience hooked and in check as well.

In summary, a solid follow up effort from Foster the People, who show no ill effects of the sophomore slump syndrome that usually plagues artists after first arriving on the scene, but Mark and Co. will prove those naysayers wrong with this delectable effort right here.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Are You What You Want to Be?
2. Ask Yourself
3. Coming of Age
4. Nevermind
5. Psuedologia Fantastica
6. The Angelic Welcome of Mr. Jones
7. Best Friend
8. A Beginner's Guide to Destroying The Moon
9. Goats in Trees
10. The Truth
11. Fire Escape 

311 - Stereolithic

Omaha, Nebraska's finest 311 have returned with their appropriately numbered eleventh studio album titled Stereolithic. The follow up to 2011's Universal Pulse finds the reggae rockers continuing to adhere to their independently released mainframe that they adhered to with their last release, and presents a huge challenge for the band who once relied on the help of major labels to get their way, but are finding that they don't need their assistance any longer and are more than capable of handling musical matters on their own.

Things kick off with "Ebb and Flow" a solid rocker with frontman Nick Hexum's familiar vocals working their way through the funk soaked interludes and providing for a familiar environment to the dedicated 311 fans who have stood by them all these years. The best song on the disc is the album's first single, "Five of Everything" a steady, reggae infused rocker with those familiar 311 rhythms working their way and P-Nut's insatiable bass licks providing the soundtrack to a terrific track that encapsulates the retro sound that the band were aiming for, hearkening back to their 1999 effort Soundsystem. "Revelation of The Year" is a decent rocker that features some dense electronic elements a la 1997's Transistor that give some listeners a hint of diversity and some retro musical images that take you back to the band's heyday, but mixed in with some of their newer material makes this song a bit jumbled and convoluted. "Sand Dollars" mixes in some elements from "Amber" off of 2001's From Chaos, and attempts to maintain our attention span with some earth tones and breezy ocean imagery that gives us a passable track to unwind to in the meantime. "Make It Rough" allows for an enjoyable stay with some seaside rhythms working their way into your consciousness and Nick's comforting vocals providing for an appropriate interlude as we dash into the second half of the effort.

The second half begins with the relaxing "Friday Afternoon", a delicately tuned track with ethereal guitars and a sun kissed melody that soars the second half into uncharted waters and presents a different sort of tempo than what was presented to us in the first portion. "Simple True" features a varied instrumental arrangement that runs the gamut all throughout the spectrum that has some promise, but comes across as being a tad bit overdone and suffers greatly in the process as a result. SA Martinez's vocals make up for the lack of effort here and prop the song up to a passable stage. "First Dimension" is a more complete band effort allowing you to see what happens when the full dynamic of the band is hard at work, making sure that their creative vision is being fully realized and that everyone is in tune as well. The disc's final three tracks feature "Existential Hero" a full fledged reggae-rocker that features dynamic shifts in vocals and instrumentation that echo classic 311 and feature a great deal of depth and variance that present itself quite well in the big picture. "The Call" has some sleek guitar riffs that are provided from Tim Mahoney and solid drumming from Chad Sexton give the album a late charge as we get ready to close out the album. "Tranquility" closes it out with a sonically eerie number that sows everything together in fine 311 fashion and presents us with a pathway as how we got to this point and where the cornerstones for the album were laid along our journey to the finish line. I have been a 311 fan since high school, and I have always respected them for sticking to their guns and doing what they want to do, not what corporate record label execs tell them. I think they should have done this DIY method a long time ago where they could have their own record label, their own finances, no one else to turn to but themselves to deliver quality music that fully satisfies their musical quest.

All in all, a decent and solid effort all around from 311, who are moving into the next phase of their careers as a band who have their own sense of self-identity and motivation that has accumulated all these years and coming to the realization that they are their own boss.

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Ebb and Flow
2. Five of Everything
3. Showdown
4. Revelation of the Year
5. Sand Dollars
6. Boom Shanka
7. Make It Rough
8. The Great Divide
9. Friday Afternoon
10. Simple True
11. First Dimension
12. Made In The Shade
13. Existential Hero
14. The All
15. Tranquility     

American Authors - Oh, What A Life

Boston based newcomers American Authors have finally released their much anticipated debut album titled Oh, What A Life. Currently based in Brooklyn right now, the band have been quietly building a buzz with their single, "Best Day of My Life" and the group are hoping to expand on that and add a string of other positive minded tunes that bring about a sense of self-identity and focus that is apparent in all of the members of the group as they take the next path to success.

Things kick off with "Believer", a melodic, upbeat tune that features hints of banjo embedded within the intro and all the way throughout and coupled with the band's extremely well written lyrics give the prospective listener an idea as to how each of the songs from here on out are based and what types of emotions they can illicit from them as well. "Think About It" is a true delight with varying tempos of guitar riffs and the strong lead vocals of Zac Barnett delivering a melodic punch that can't be ignored and is one to be reckoned with and appreciated upon arrival. My favorite track off the album is one that I'm sure you're all familiar with, "Best Day of My Life". The track features stellar guitar riffs and Zac's introspective vocals working their magic throughout the banjo enhanced melodies that add a distinct element of authenticity that can't be replicated anywhere else, a purely fantastic track inside and out. "Trouble" features more noticeable folk elements derived from the prior tracks, and relies on the echoing and soothing vocals and some soft percussion elements that show the diversity that is just exploding out of the group right now. "Hit It" blasts it right out of the park with more intense percussion arrangements and varying tempos of instrumentation that are hard to keep track of at first, but you'll learn to adapt to over time.

The second half features "Love", a more toned down number that showcases the band's diversity and their ability to cater to different emotions and wavelengths that makes them a more diverse and well rounded group in the process. "Heart of Stone" is an intense, old school themed rocker that features a pulsating guitar riff that sets the bar pretty high, and shows the dynamic of the band in full force who are always tuned in literally as to how they want each song to sound and taking a meticulous approach each and every time. The title track closes us all out here with an authentic, down home folk track reminiscent of Mumford & Sons that shows all the influences that have gotten the band to this point, and how their music education has helped them get this far in their careers, and they are poised to get even better with each passing moment. The members all attended school in the Boston area at Berklee College of Music where they mastered the act of music performance and have clearly set their foot forward as to what they want to do for a career and proving that you can make a living off of it as well. I've been told by many that you can't make any money off of music journalism, but that's not why I'm in this business. I'm in it for the artists and not championing behind one particular band that I care about, I write for the music that I feel so passionate about and want people to better understand the music I listen to on a daily basis. American Authors are truly an inspiration for me in that department wholeheartedly.

In closing, a well recorded and implemented effort from American Authors, a band who are taking the high road to the promised land, with the fruits of their labor being immediately realized upon impact and are only going to get better as the days pass by.

                                                                                                                            Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Believer
2. Think About It
3. Best Day Of My Life
4. Luck
5. Trouble
6. Hit It
7. Home
8. Love
9. Heart of Stone
10. Ghost
11. Oh, What A Life   

Brett Steinberg - Until We See The Sun

CT based singer-songwriter Brett Steinberg has his sophomore album on deck titled Until We See The Sun. The collection is a warm mixture of thoughtful lyrical arrangements and strong instrumentation that brings the songs to life and gives them an identity and focus like no other.

We kick things off with "Not Turning Back", a simple yet majestic arrangement with Brett's vocals opening the floodgates with passion and an enthusiasm for the power of music that has a strong sincerity to it that you can't ignore. "Saturday Night" is an upbeat, positively minded song that shows the diversity that Brett is capable of displaying, and hints at his capabilities as a singer-songwriter with an ability to dabble in other tempos that makes him a longer lasting musician in the process as well. My favorite song off the album is "Gone By Daylight (She Is)" a strong, echoing track that best highlight's Brett's musical resolve with his lyrical story showcasing the themes that run rampant throughout the album such as love and heartbreak that are mainstays within the genre, but Brett does it in a way that is sincere and heartwarming and gives it a voice like no other track can. "Made Me Feel Alive" tones it down a couple of notches with a simple piano arrangement and Brett's vocals reading like a whisper that travels throughout the musical confines of the track with ease and comfort. "For You" kicks it up slightly a notch with more emphasis being put on the piano track that gives it a hook and line, and puts us in the proper frame of mind as we head into the second half of the album.

"Come Back Home" reads like a greeting card with Brett's heartwarming vocals reeking of sincerity and presenting Brett's undying musical quest that is proving its resolve right in front of you as we speak. "In Control" makes clever use of the piano with some more upbeat melodies working its way into the musical foundation of the track and giving it some diversity and color that will keep listeners tuned in and focused. "Hopeful Wanderers" is a short and sweet track clocking in at close to 1 minute and 45 seconds that features a gorgeous piano melody that has a symphonic nature to it that echoes the untold beauty of this album that is just waiting to be unraveled right here and now. The disc gets ready to close out with "Come Clear", a climatic, finished piece with Brett's vocals once again working their magic and making elegant use of the piano that reads like a second voice acting in collaboration with Brett as the disc starts to fade to black. "We'll Be Okay" concludes matters here with a track that brings in all the elements we've heard in some way, shape, or form together on one stage and brings about a musical symphony of sorts that shows all the musical colors and shapes that we've met in our journey here to the end.

In retrospect, a terrific and succinct effort from Brett Steinberg, who has made an impression on his listeners with an effort that speaks to mind about his musical gifts that he has to offer to his audience who are willing and able to hear what he has to say.

                                                                                                                        Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Not Turning Back
2. Saturday Night
3. Until We See The Sun
4. Gone By Daylight (She Is)
5. Made Me Feel Alive
6. You Want Her
7. For You
8. Come Back Home
9. In Control
10. Twenty Years
11. Hopeful Wanderers
12. Teach Me
13. Come Clear
14. We'll Be Okay

PawnShop kings - PawnShop kings EP

SoCal natives PawnShop kings have arrived with their brand-new self-titled EP. The 5 disc collection is a welcoming mixture of down home folk sensibilities mixed in with a slight inspirational aesthetic that is subtly reflected in the lyrics, and gives those listening an idea of where these musicians come from and how their upbringing is reflected in their music.

We start things off with "Love Like Jesus", a rapturous, driven tune with a strong musical state of mind that shows everyone who Scott & Joel Owen are, two brothers who have a passion for what they believe in but don't force it down people's throats and express their sensibilities through the power of music. "Gonna Let You" is a pure, unadulterated folk tune with a strong lyrical framework built into the mainframe that allows the instrumentation to come out freely and is not forced out by any means and lets it do its own thing naturally. "Fall Apart" is my favorite song off the effort that features Scott & Joel's vocals working their magic yet again, but this time at a much higher level than the prior two tracks and with a stronger musical connection that allows you to be honed in with what they're feeling at the same time the instruments are being played, and gives you an immediate vision of what these guys really are like and how their musical kinship has evolved over the years. We begin to wrap things up with "When You're Holding Me", a downtempo, piano laden tune that showcases a different side of the duo that we haven't had the opportunity to experience much on this record, and works to a great degree here with the soft laced melodies working their way in quite well with Joel & Scott's tremendous vocal ranges. "Make Me Whole" concludes matters here with a soft, harmonic number featuring Joel & Scott's vocal abilities once again proving their mettle as they've done all throughout the record and gives folks a chance to retrace their steps from earlier in the record, and see what different musical soundscapes we've encountered in our journey home.

In conclusion, a decent effort from PawnShop kings, a group that are much more than just a Christian group if you listen closely, they are two brothers who thoroughly enjoy what they do for a living, and that is making honest and heartfelt music.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Love Like Jesus
2. Gonna Let You
3. Fall Apart
4. When You're Holding Me
5. Make Me Whole

Kusanagi - They WIll Come Back For You

The four piece instrumental band hailing from Liverpool, UK has just released their latest concoction titled "They Will Come Back From You". The disc is a surprising and entertaining mixture of instrumentation that is completely devoid of any vocals whatsoever, and that allows each individual musician to squarely focus on their line of work and their monumental task at hand which shouldn't be that difficult to accomplish.

"Spires" kicks off the effort with a squalling cavalcade of guitars that meld in well with the drums and bass that provide a harmonic triforce that slowly starts to build up some steam that lasts well throughout the duration of this record and instills the listener to continue listening in anticipation of what's to come later on. "What Fools These Mortals" is a short number clocking in at just under 3 minutes that gives a strong wave of guitars that has a sort of progressive rock channel attached to it that gives a hint of the meticulous nature of the gentlemen that manifests itself well throughout this well made composition. My favorite track off the album is "Rhinoceros" a melodic, leveled track that shows compounded layers of bass, guitar, and light percussion arrangements all rolled into one that will have your complete and undivided attention by the time the song has wrapped up. "Danxia" gets us ready for the close of the effort with a mellow, homely number that gives each individual musician a chance to state their case as to why you should listen to this album with a open mind and how it will impact your listening habits. The title track plays us out with a well encapsulated track that takes in musical elements we've heard in some form throughout the duration of this record that gives us an idea as to the origins of this group, what their background is, and the simple and dignified nature of their music that is unlike any current musical dynamic and allows them to blend in with their mates in England.

All in all, an impressive and well constructed effort from Kusanagi, a band that is relatively unknown here in the States, but are looking to foray and greatly affect the traditional music listener and get them to experience a little of what's outside the box.

                                                                                                                                EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Spires
2. What Fools These Mortals
3. Rhinoceros
4. Danxia
5. One Day, They Will Come Back For You...

Tideland - Lull

Sterling, VA's own Tideland have landed on the scene with their latest release titled Lull. The disc is a rich and elegant mixture of shoegaze rhythms mixed in with some high energy punk dynamics that go way back to their beginnings with the early formation of the group, and this effort definitely has some promise and a certain unheralded beauty to it that must be listened to at once.

We start things off with "Starblood" a mid-tempo, straightforward track that starts things off on the right foot, and presents the band's musical framework taking shape and the instrumentation does a great job of eloquently dictating the tempo at which they want to go moving forward. "Miless" amps up the melodic intensity quite a bit, and prevails in its attempt to create varying degrees of sonic wavelengths that permeate at such an angle that it creates a cavity where all the sounds rush through and shoot straight to the listener with pinpoint precision. My favorite track off the effort is "Get Lost" a rich, sonic delight with ample waves of instrumentation running aplenty at your feet and a strong musical chemistry, with a bond forming between the bandmates that lasts well throughout the duration of the album and beyond.

The second half opens up with "Desolate" that mixes in a somber, downtempo mood with some high energy punk bombast that presents the group in a much different light than before with intricate and soft-spoken rhythms that really speak to mind about the diversity of this band and their capabilities as individual musicians and what they bring to the table that contributes a great deal to the effort as a whole. "Dinosaur" takes in some elements from the preceding song and manages to bring the mood down somewhat that will illicit an emotional response from the listener and keep them tuned in all the way throughout as well.  "Edinburgh" gets us ready for the conclusion of the effort with a perfect balance of harmony and rhythm that shows what happens when musicians are completely honed in on only the task at hand to get them to where they are with regards to finishing up this album. "Way To Die" concludes matters here with some rich musical textures that takes us back to the beginning of the album, and we can quickly trace our path and see where we came from musically from that point and how the band's sound developed and flourished since then.

All in all, a sonically pleasing and fruitful effort heard here from Tideland, who have emerged as a formidable presence in the music scene and have conjured up something special for your ears that will make you believers of them in the long run moving forward.

                                                                                                                             Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Starblood
2. Miless
3. Carved In Mine
4. Get Lost
5. Desolate
6. Dinosaur
7. Edinburgh
8. Way to Die 

Broken Bells - After The Disco

Los Angeles, CA's top notch 1-2 punch of James Mercer and Danger Mouse are back for a second time around with their collaborative effort as Broken Bells titled "After The Disco". The follow up to their 2010 self titled debut finds the collective duo putting all their musical bargaining chips on the house here with an indie/space rock hybrid that will transport you into their world where the two minds have gathered once again to create a sonic wavelength of epic proportions that is just waiting to be heard by eager ears.

We start things out on "Perfect World" a sprawling, synth heavy, 6 and a half minute opus that puts in the right frame of mind with James Mercer's comforting vocal presence adding a feeling of warmth with Danger Mouse coming up right behind to deliver the goods on this intricate and experimental track that showcases the magic that the two have conjured up together. The title track is a more upbeat and dance ready affair that has elements of dark imagery attached to it that is representative of the album's mission to deliver an otherworldly affair that breaks the plain across the musical fabric of space and manages to find a conduit directly into the path of the prospective listener with remarkable accuracy and precision. My favorite song off the disc is the first single, "Holding On For Life" Starting out with a lush acoustic arrangement, the song reaches new heights with James's vocal abilities stretching out into Barry Gibb territory and blowing it right out of the park almost on contact and is the definitive highlight for an outstanding and well told effort heard here so far. "The Changing Lights" is a frenetic, fast paced tune that features a bey of synth heavy arrangements and Danger Mouse's expertise behind the helm gives the album much depth and sophistication that makes it stand out immensely from other similar albums within the same genre. "Control" demonstrates much more of that same mentioned depth and gets us ready for the second half of the album just waiting in the wings with plenty more to be discovered.

The second half commences with "Medicine" a melodic, instrumental affair that features some light tambourine and other assorted percussion arrangements heard in the background that give the track a distinct flavor and aura that is vastly different from the other songs we've heard in succession, but showcases the duo's ability to branch out into other areas to give it some musical dexterity in the process. The album gets ready to close up for the night with "The Angel and The Fool" a somber, melancholy affair with James' vocals ushering in a feeling of closure and brings about a feeling of comfort and companionship as we get ready to close out the album in grand fashion. The album ends with "The Remains of Rock and Roll" an acoustic styled affair that gradually grows over time into a symphonic chorus that has a different feel from the prior musical arrangements, but does a terrific job of tying up the loose ends and getting everything ready as we send this album off into the sunset and into the arms of prospective listeners ready to fawn over. I was amazed when James Mercer and Danger Mouse first announced they were teaming up for a project, and my jaw totally dropped when they released their debut and was amazed that two extremely talented and creative people who came from different musical backgrounds, were able to team up and form a musical friendship and bond that goes well beyond the wide spectrum and presents music in a fashion that has never before been drawn up on a blueprint.

All in, a fantastic second effort from Broken Bells, and shows that the musical partnership of James and Danger is at full strength and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. One of the more undiscovered musical treasures you'll find so far this year.

                                                                                                                             Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Perfect World
2. After The Disco
3. Holding On For Life
4. Leave It Alone
5. The Changing Lights
6. Control
7. Lazy Wonderland
8. Medicine
9. No Matter What You're Told
10. The Angel and the Fool
11. The Remains of Rock and Roll