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.
