Keane: Under The Iron Sea

Keane
Under The Iron Sea
Interscope Records [2006]









Keane is back with another adult alternative friendly album Under The Iron Sea. This sophomore effort follows their highly successful breakthrough debut Hopes And Fears [2004]. This time around, you get a more mature rock sound. Each track feels more developed and thought out with creative lyrics and Tom Chaplin’s vocals being front and center. Keane has definitely taken a very Coldplayish direction creating catchy tunes at a medium pace with that hint of rock. This is a trick not many bands can pull off but Keane have learned from the masters and avoided the sophomore slump on Under The Iron Sea – so get ready to hear more or these lads in the coming months on commercials, elevators, VH1 and your favorite local radio station.

Key Tracks: "Crystal Ball", "Nothing In My Way", "Is It Any Wonder?"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Coldplay
U2
Oasis

Official Keane Website
Keane MySpace
Interscope Records

-Reviewed by JT Burn

The City Drive: Always Moving Never Stopping

The City Drive
Always Moving Never Stopping
We The People Records [2006]



Do you want a fun power pop punk indie rock album for the rest of summer? Go pick up the debut from LA-based The City Drive. Always Moving Never Stopping is full of jamming sing-a-long melodies that make you toe tap regardless of where you are. Each track is a solid offering and provides a shot at the perfect 3-minute song. Before you squawk “Oh no, not another power punk band!” think again – The City Drive have been around for awhile crafting their sound since 2002 and have performed besides the likes of The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, NOFX and Alkaline Trio. They currently are performing on the 2006 Warp Tour and will easily fit in with their tight arrangements and high-energy songs. Always Moving Never Stopping is a great rookie debut and may not venture into any new grounds but I guarantee it will make you roll the car widows down and crank the volume knob up!

Key Tracks: "Defeated", "Light Years", "Bring Me Everything"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The All-American Rejects
Jimmy Eat World
The Format

Official The City Drive Website
The City Drive MySpace
We The People Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Soul Asylum: The Silver Lining

Soul Asylum
The Silver Lining
Sony Records [2006]









Hard to believe but Soul Asylum has been around since 1984. That would be the same year that Van Halen’s “Jump” was all over the radio and I was moving on to the 7th grade. Soul Asylum will always be remembered for their 1992 swan song Grave Dancer’s Union and hit single “Runaway Train”. It is their pinnacle career album that they will always try to remake. The Silver Lining is their first album in eight years and you can tell it was made free of any pressure or any single direction. The same formula is used in The Silver Lining as their previous catalog, so if you have always enjoyed Soul Asylum, you will be into this offering. There are some good catchy songs and some songs that should have stayed on the shelf, but the major element that is missing compared to Grave Dancer’s Union is the edginess on past songs like “Somebody To Shove” or “99%”. You will not find anything new, different, or amazing on this Soul Asylum album but just an honest attempt at putting out a rock n roll record. Take it or leave it!

Key Tracks: "Stand Up And Be Strong", "Oxygen", "Bus Named Desire"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Gin Blossoms
R.E.M.
Goo Goo Dolls

Official Soul Asylum Website
Soul Asylum MySpace

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Editors: The Back Room

Editors
The Back Room
Kitchenware/Fader Records [2005/2006]







The Back Room was actually released in the UK last year and like any other British band that gains popularity they have received a US release one year later. The Editors now even have a bit more bragging rights, with the recent Mercury Prize nomination for British album of the year. The Editors combine a gloomy mix of bass, guitar, keyboards, and impassioned vocals, which places them into the same indie new wave category as Stellastarr or The Killers. Like their peers the Editors create very catchy tunes that stay in your head all day. The Back Room is straight to the point with many concise one word titled solid tracks that will not disappoint. If you are into this type of music, I believe that the Editors should be in your playlist.

Key Tracks: "Munich", "Blood", "All Sparks"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Interpol
Joy Division
U2

Official Editors Website
Editors MySpace

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Grant-Lee Phillips: Nineteeneighties

Grant-Lee Phillips
Nineteeneighties
Zoe Records [2006]








When you take a glance at the tracklisting to Nineteeneighties, you quickly realize that this is a cover album by Grant-Lee Philips, former Grant Lee Buffalo front man. The song selection is great – The Church’s “Under The Milky Way”; The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry”, Pixies – “Wave Of Mutilation” and R.E.M.’s “So. Central Train”, just to name a few. Phillips made Nineteeneighties to honor the songwriters and artists who influenced his music and it represents a collection of his favorite covers. Individually each cover is given the gentle care that Phillips smooth voice can handle and respect with every line, chorus and refrain. As a collection of 11 tracks in one sitting, the album suffers from a slowed down pace. Grant-Lee Phillips has one of those distinguishable voices and without reworking some of these tracks, Nineteeneighties never reaches its full potential nor breaks out of the same mold on each song. Nevertheless, in all fairness, I have had this one shufflin’ in the iPod and it sounds great in small doses as the random covers pop up in a playlist.

Key Tracks: " So. Central Rain", "Age Of Consent", "Love My Way"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Grant Lee Buffalo
Matthew Sweet
Bill Janovitz

Official Grant-Lee Phillips Website
Grant-Lee Phillips MySpace
Zoe Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Dirty Pretty Things: Waterloo To Anywhere

Dirty Pretty Things
Waterloo To Anywhere
Universal/Vertigo/Interscope Records [2006]








 The Libertines were an energizing shot to the UK music scene when their debut hit in 2002. Given all of the extracurricular activities that Pete Doherty was involved in I can’t imagine how the second album was ever made.

Anyway, now we have a split in the family tree, Babyshambles on one side, Dirty Pretty Things on the other branch. Dirty Pretty Things resemble more of what The Libertines left behind. They play in your face rock n roll with a swagger of I don’t give a crap about you. This is a good thing – Waterloo To Anywhere has great pace and leaves the listener pumped up ready for more.

What will be interesting is Dirty Pretty Things sophomore album given Waterloo To Anywhere was devoted to finalizing the breakup and lyrical shots at Doherty. I am sure you will not have to worry about energy because the venom will still be there but now we will get a better idea of what else is in Carl Barât's head.

Key Tracks: "Bang Bang You're Dead", "Blood Thirsty Bastards", "Deadwood"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Clash
The Strokes
The Libertines

Official Dirty Pretty Things Website
Dirty Pretty Things MySpace

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Cute Is What We Aim For: The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch

Cute Is What We Aim For
The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch
Fueled By Ramen Records [2006]



Cute Is What I Aim For are another entry into the emo-pop-punk world. It is a very polished somewhat overproduced emo affair. As a whole The Same Old Rush With A New Touch is not a horrible album, but being so polished has water-downed the emotion that makes it emo. There is just nothing that stands out that sets Cute Is What I Aim For above the rest. There are many good moments and with some fine-tuning I do not think all is lost. A good band will learn from their debut and come back even stronger for album number two. The good news is that Cute Is What I Aim For has been getting some good air time on MTV2, playing some Warp Tour dates, and is on a hot emo-punk label so my guess is they will survive.

Key Tracks: "Sweat The Battle Before The Battle Sweats You", "Finger Twist & Split", "There's A Class For This"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Panic At The Disco!
New Found Glory
Fall Out Boy

Official Cute Is What We Aim For Website
Cute Is What We Aim For MySpace
Fueled By Ramen Records Website

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Eighteen Visions: Eighteen Visions

Eighteen Visions
Eighteen Visions
Epic Records [2006]



When you are a successful hardcore band that gets signed to a major label you have several choices. Choice a) Don’t change anything and see if your style holds up to the masses b) Change completely taking the chance of alienating your old fans but winning a much broader audience or c) Mix a little old with a little new and try to maintain some of your old fan base while attracting many new fans. On their self-titled major debut, Eighteen Visions chose option c. Out of 12 tracks about half of them resemble some of the bands earlier work on Obsession [2004] and Vanity [2002]. The other half venture into a more rock radio friendly setting and which many old fans will cry “sell out”. For Eighteen Visions, I think the new direction will definitely win over some new fans and backed by Epic money I am sure the tour will be bigger, longer, and louder. For fans, I think the jury will still be out – if you are really into the hardcore scene you will need to pass on this one – if you are into the more mainstream harder rock bands – pick it up.

Key Tracks: "Victim", "Black And Bruised", "Coma"

Bands With Similar Fire:
AFI
Underoath
My Chemical Romance

Official Eighteen Visions Website
Eighteen Visions MySpace
Epic Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

The Hush Sound: Like Vines

The Hush Sound
Like Vines
Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance Records [2006]




Hailing from DuPage County, Illinois, The Hush Sound has launched their sophomore album Like Vines to the masses. Like Vines is a well-produced, polished and clean sounding album. Each song has a gentle pop glow to it and is pleasing to the ear regardless of the vocal lead. Singer/guitarist Bob Morris and singer/keyboardist Greta Salpeter swap vocal turns on individual songs and play a duel role on others. Personally, I think they are most successful when they alternate vocals, supporting each other within the song. Their vocals compliment each other but separately you start to forget who you are listening to…oh yeah The Hush Sound. Overall Like Vines is a solid effort and especially if you were a fan of their debut So Sudden [2005] you will not be disappointed here.

Key Tracks: "Wine Red", "Don't Wake Me Up", "You Are The Moon"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Koufax
Eisley
The Like Young

Official The Hush Sound Website
The Hush Sound MySpace
Fueled By Ramen Records

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

The North Atlantic: Wires In The Walls

The North Atlantic
Wires In The Walls
We Put Out Records [2006]









The North Atlantic has a very interesting background. They were formed in 99’ at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI. After relocating to San Diego in 2000, they were touring the land and opening for bands like Cursive and Small Brown Bike. Wires In The Walls was originally recorded in 2003, and pressed by the band in a limited run just three months before lead singer Jason Hendrix took off to Chicago for art school. After some reunion shows and the re-release of Wires, The North Atlantic are back in full strength. You would not be able to tell that Wires In The Walls was recorded in 2003 vs. 2006 because the music sounds timeless. It a perfect collection of 11 post-punk tracks that contain ferocity, passion and intensity that will force you to take a listen. Catchy songs like “Scientist Girl” have one of the best lyrics I have heard in awhile, because it captures the essence of every guy who is into music and struggling with a relationship - “I’d rather listen to my Clash records all night, then be with you” Hendrix sings over and over, which every music nerd can relate to on some level. The bottomline is you can’t go wrong with this fresh offering in a crowed emo post-punk world, so get your boots on because The North Atlantic is coming!

Key Tracks: "Scientist Girl", "Lotus Eater", "Bottom Of This Town"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Archers Of Loaf
Burning Airlines
Girls Against Boys

The North Atlantic Website
The North Atlantic MySpace
We Put Out Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Early November: The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path

The Early November
The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path
Drive-Thru Records [2006]







First off - this is a three album set broke down into sections: The Mechanic (Rock Album), The Mother (Acoustic Album) and The Path (Concept Album). At this point, you can evaluate this 46-track monstrosity based on its parts. The whole album revolves around the life cycle of a young person who leaves his house and overbearing father, has a child, vows not to be like his dad only to have his own son revolt and he starts to turn into his father. However you package it – it is a lot to get your ears around. As adventurous as the idea is, the first two albums are solid. I think if they would have taken the rock and acoustic albums and weeded down the best 15 tracks this album would be on fire. The problem is too much filler and everything starts to sound the same. The final album which mixes spoken dialogue and musical tracks is not very listenable. It does not fit into our iPod shuffle lifestyle and the spoken parts are psychiatric sessions that help tell the story. It would have been fine to just to leave this somewhere on the shelf. The bottom line is that The Early November gets an A for effort, B for final product and D for The Path. With this out of their system maybe album three will finally capture all of their talent within a power package of 45 minutes.

Key Tracks: "Hair", "Decoration", "The Rest Of My Life"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Taking Back Sunday
Copeland
I Am the Avalanche

The Eary November Website
The Eary November MySpace
Drive-Thru Records

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Greg Graffin: Cold As The Clay

Greg Graffin
Cold As The Clay
Anti/Epitaph Records [2006]









When you think Greg Graffin you think Bad Religion, you think veteran punk lead singer, you think hardcore, in your face, straight to the point punk rock. His new solo album Cold As The Clay is an extreme turn of styles. Greg has picked up the guitar and returned to the folk roots of American music. He still is telling stories of hope, misery, and the struggles of life’s challenges but now on a much more intimate setting. This album probably represents what most of his friends already know because I could see him singing these types of tunes at a party if picked up the guitar. There is nothing on Cold As The Clay that is going to win any new fans but if you like Graffin’s voice, it does show his versatility. Bad Religion has always had songs of substance – they were not just some pop punk band singing about girls but always tackled social issues, morals and values. This album is no different except for the style. If you are looking for a change and want a more calm afternoon, slip this album on – if you are looking to tear it up or do not like folk music at all, grab Bad Religion’s Against The Grain [1990] and enjoy your outing.

Key Tracks: "Don't Be Afraid To Run", "Cold As The Clay", "California Cotton Fields"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Gram Parsons
Bruce Springsteen
The Weakerthans

Greg Graffin Page /Epitaph Site
Greg Graffin MySpace
Anti Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Oppenheimer: Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer
Bar/None Records [2006]







Oppenheimer's debut record is a fun venture into the world of electro indiepop. Each song has a quirky breezy energy to it that just fills you with glee and is perfect for the hot summer day drive with the windows down and the foot to the pedal. The band is made up of musicians Shaun Robinson and Rocky O'Reilly from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The two-piece had met at indie rock shows in their hometown of Belfast and one night over some cold beers, they realized that they shared a love for the synthesizer pop rock. From there Oppenheimer was born and so were the catchy choruses mixed with the upbeat instrumentation. The group also has caught the ear of its peers with opening gigs for Hot Chip, Regina Spektor, The Bravery and The Chalets. This album should be used for those rainy down days when you need that shot of Vitamin C and can’t get it from the sun.

Key Tracks: "Breakfast In NYC", "Ok, Let's Take This Outside", "Saturday Looks Bad To Me"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Komeda
The Postal Service
Architecture In Helsinki

Official Oppenheimer Website
Oppenheimer MySpace
Bar/None Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

TV On The Radio: Return To Cookie Mountain

TV On The Radio
Return To Cookie Mountain
4AD/Interscope Records [2006]









So you are sitting around late Wednesday night and you are thinking to yourself – What can I play that will be the perfect headphone album? My suggestion would be to go out and pick up Return To Cookie Mountain. TV On The Radio’s new album is a perfect sonic adventure for the mind. The vocals, the music and the beat all form one big extraordinary song that flows from one track to the next with glossy smooth transitions. To add to the style and free jazz feel they welcomed David Bowie’s backing vocals on “Province” to complete the cycle, he apparently has been a giant fan since their debut. The critically acclaimed Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes [2004] was a great record but it did not have the consistency that Cookie Mountain has, showing that TVOTR have evolved and found their niche sound. With repeat listens, Return To Cookie Mountain will easily become that late night album that provides the ultimate rest and relaxation, taking you away from everything but leading you to a new place each time. [Candidate for the Blazing Top 25 of 2006]

Key Tracks: "Hours", "Wolf Like Me", "Playhouses"

Bands With Similar Fire:
David Bowie
Thievery Corporation
Autolux

TV On The Radio Website
TV On The Radio MySpace
4Ad Records

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Muse: Black Holes And Revelations

Muse
Black Holes And Revelations
Warner Bros. Records [2006]









Muse have had a great career progression moving from their Radiohead sound alike debut Showbiz [1999] to the clean produced new idea filled Black Holes And Revelations. For me, Black Holes feels like that sophomore album after the huge success of Absolution [2003/2004]. There was lots of pressure to perform and create the perfect follow up so that they do not fall back into just the UK market. I believe that Black Holes And Revelations succeeds creating a solid sonic experience and punchy rock radio friendly tunes. It also has taken some creative turns that separate it from everything else out there like the Prince funk first single “Supermassive Black Hole” to the Queen rhapsody on “Knights Of Cydonia”. Muse still are a technically skillful band and Black Holes And Revelations is no exception. In fact, this is the strong point on the album, which will translate into a superb live show. This is where Muse really shine!

Key Tracks: "Supermassive Black Hole", "Knights Of Cydonia", "Map Of The Problematique"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Queen
U2
Depeche Mode

Official Muse Website
Muse MySpace

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Thom Yorke: The Eraser

Thom Yorke
The Eraser
XL Recordings [2006]








In between Radiohead (new one due in 07’) albums, Thom Yorke has released his solo debut The Eraser. It is a continuation of Thom’s love for the electronic blips and beeps of Kid A [2000] and Amnesiac [2001] but is also a departure from the distorted vocals on those albums. I would describe The Eraser as a mixture of ideas from the current era of Radiohead. Each song feels very complete and driven by Yorke’s non-altered vocals with a solid electric background. I must say that it is very nice just to here Yorke’s voice stripped of all the effects and leading the listener through the journey. Most of these songs could have fit in on their four previous albums, which really means that there is nothing new here. Even though I think this effort is worthy of release, I am anticipating the new Radiohead album. If Thom finally gets the electronic thing out of his system on The Eraser maybe the new album will be more like The Bends [1995]. Here is hoping they bring back the guitar!

Key Tracks: "Black Swan", "Atoms For Peace", "Harrowdown Hill"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Postal Service
Out Hud
The Knife

Official Eraser Site
XL Recordings Website

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Crazy Joe And The Mad River Outlaws: Sweatin' Bullets Over You EP

Crazy Joe And The Mad River Outlaws
Sweatin' Bullets Over You EP
Atom Records [2006]






It has been two years since we have heard anything from Dayton, Ohio’s rockabilly band Crazy Joe and the Mad River Outlaws. Their new five song EP Sweatin’ Bullets Over You is a straightforward twangy rock n' roll punch to the gut. Songs like “Yak Yak Yak” are simple catchy little gems that match up against anything in this genre new or old. Sweatin’ Bullets Over You is much more focused than their 2004 release Chopped, Slammed, & Twangin’, sticking with a more traditional sound, similar to Carl Perkins vs. the punkabilly of a Rev Horton Heat. Don’t fret though, in finding their true sound, Crazy Joe’s witty humor is still in full effect on “Baby’s Behind”. It is a simple song about marking your territory with the ladies. The bottom-line is that Crazy Joe & The Mad River Outlaws take you back to the earliest form of rock from the 50’s and make it sound fresh, cool and hip for 2006.

Key Tracks: "Yak Yak Yak", "Babys Behind", "Mary Ann"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Carl Perkins
Big Sandy And His Fly-Rite Boys
High Noon

Official Crazy Joe Website
Crazy Joe MySpace
Atom Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Jim Noir: Tower Of Love

Jim Noir
Tower Of Love
My Dad Recordings/Barsuk Records [2005/2006]







“If you don’t give my football back, I’m gonna get my dad on you” has been going through my head since the opening kickoff of the 2006 World Cup. You have probably heard this jingle in the really cool Adidas commercial featuring many famous players and the young Jose kickin’ the ball around in his backyard. Jim Noir is the artist behind the song “Eanie Meany” and the commercial has sparked an overnight success. Originally released in the UK at the very end of 2005, Noir has now been signed to Barsuk Records in the states and Tower Of Love will see a US release August 8th. Tower Of Love is filled with a nice combo of catchy lo-fi sixtyish pop gems. Jim’s voice is very smooth and well layered with the instruments. On several tracks, he travels down the psychedelic road with backing Beach Boy vocals, which easily could have been included on Pet Sounds. The appealing thing about Jim Noir and Tower Of Love is that even though it has a retro sound it is very fresh and perfect for repeat listens. In today’s music scene, it is easy to be caught in the everyday genres but for Noir his uniqueness separates him from the pack.

Key Tracks: "Eanie Meany", "My Patch", "In The Key Of C"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Beta Band
Super Furry Animals
Electric Light Orchestra

Official Jim Noir Website
Jim Noir MySpace
Barsuk Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Johnny Cash: American V - A Hundred Highways

Johnny Cash
American V: A Hundred Highways
Lost Highway/American Records [2006]









American V comes to us three years after the passing of the great Johnny Cash. It captures the final set of recordings that Johnny made with producer Rick Rubin in the American Series. The first thing you will notice after looking at the track listing is the exclusion of any reworked modern songs like on previous American releases. A Hundred Highways is a true reflection of Cash’s full catalog and a return to the classics. It has great stories, both filled with hope and sadness. One cannot listen to this album without thinking of Cash’s perspective, singing from a wheelchair partially blind and focusing on his own death. This is no clearer than on his last penned song “Like The 309”. It is an upbeat tune about a train ride to a better place after he reaches the end of his journey. American V is a truly sad and stunning record that will make sure that Cash remains permanently in our memory as the one and only man in black.

Key Tracks: "God's Gonna Cut You Down", "Like The 309", "Further On Up The Road"

Bands With Similar Fire:
He was a true original!

Official Johnny Cash Website
Lost Highway Records

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Bears: Bears

Bears
Bears
Self-Released [2006]









In 2004, Cleveland duo Craig Ramsey and Charlie McArthur decided that they would make a little pop album for fun. Well now the results are in and their fun will be one of your favorite indie albums of 2006. Each song on their self-released and self-titled debut is breezy and likable. Their timing is perfect and both Ramsey and McArthur fade in and out with dueling harmonizing vocals that bind together for a solid cohesive sound. There is not one dud track on the Bears debut and at 36 minutes it flies by in no time. You can tell that they simply sat down and recorded this totally carefree without the interference of labels or record producers. It is that laid back lower-fi feeling that totally makes this album a success.

Key Tracks: "Still Alright", "Walk Away", "How To Live"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Belle And Sebastian
Rogue Wave
The Indie Simon & Garfunkel

Official Bears Website
Bears MySpace

-Reviewed By JT Burn