Time to go!

OK, people, this is it. We gotta make this year a good one, we are finally getting a bit of a flood of new music, so I am about as happy as a clam. I would know because I am a clam. So the challenge I put out to all of you right now, is let’s go! Let’s do this thing! What thing? I don’t know. Seriously. Then why are you telling us to…? Umm, well, it just means that…uh…well you know, let’s go! Whatever.

Fastball – Little White Lies – *** – I love Fastball, and was so happy to hear they had some new music. And this is definitely Fastball, doing what they do best. While perhaps not quite as good as their last, it does have some great tracks included.

Valley Lodge – Semester At Sea – ***1/2 – I just discovered this band this year, loving their debut from a few years back. So it couldn’t have been better timing as this new album hits me with some more rock action! Great, fun, power pop.

Ace Enders & A Million Different People – When I Hit The Ground – *** – A cool album from the Early November front-man. He has really moved away from the emo style of his early stuff, to just pure pop/rock goodness.

Salim Nourallah – Constellation – ***1/2 – OK, this is the real Salim Nourallah release for 2009. It works great as an album, the songs all belong together, and it creates a great mood and atmosphere. Don’t look to rock out too much on this one, for these are beautifully subdued songs.

Dennis Schocket – The Cinderblock Mansion – *** – Great album from ex-Starbelly member. Fantastic pure-pop goodness. Seems also to be a bit more personal and reflective.

April Showers bring Music Reviews

Ah April. That month of months. Spring attempting, and failing, to turn into Summer. You would think it would learn that it’s just not grown up enough to make real Summer. Instead it just rains a bunch. Oh, and the bunnies come out to play of course. Imagine the month of April as a little bunny, trying to inflict pain on something. Instead, it just bats its little soft paws into it, and falls asleep before finishing the job. That’s what April is.

Alice Peacock – Love Remains – *** – A great album from this artist, who is really a pop-rock artist with a bit of country thrown in. Some of the more overtly country songs are a bit much, but overall, it’s a great collection of songs.

Doves – Kingdom of Rust – *** – Another good album from Doves, and it’s been awhile. But they still have that great epic sound, atmospheric and energetic at the same time.

Pat Dinizio – Buddy Holly – *** – Buddy Holly is someone who’s music I love, but I’ve never taken the time to really delve into his catalog. This helps, although I don’t know if slowing down the songs does much to enhance it. But with Pat singing, it’s A-OK!

Gavin Degraw – Free – *** – While I feel this album is a bit too overwrought, and doesn’t have as much fun as the first two albums, I am glad he is evolving a bit as an artist, the second album seemed a bit too much of a re-hash.

Brakes – Touchdown – ***1/2 – Awesome, Brakes just keeps getting better. As much as I liked their energetic and odd debut, I am really liking the more produced, toned down feel of this record. They don’t abandon the weird and energetic stuff, but they slow it down in the right places, and it makes for a pleasant experience.