Snow Patrol launched their latest album today and if you’ve been a fan of this band at all in the past - you’re going to dig this record. When my ears got a first pass on the album I could already hear the hits and tried not to think about the fact that I was liking it and that with the help of main stream radio, I would soon come to hear them everywhere. But that’s then, this is now.

The album is being released in two versions, the standard and the deluxe that includes multiple documentaries on the band and the process of putting the record together. A Hundred Million Suns is ten track of solid rockn’roll, the kind we’ve come to expect from the UK. Full of not the basic instruments but all kinds of keyboards, orchestrated sound and Gary Lightbody’s haunting voice.

Stand Out Tracks
Lifeboats - More orchestration than we’re used to from Snow Patrol on this track - really easy to sing along with.

The Golden Floor - I love the drums on this one. Part Marimba, part flamenco - all fun.

The film component

First Week of Term - this doc shows the group getting together to work out how the songs will be performed live for the tour (I personally can not wait to see that). The guys talk about some of the adjustments for the live versions and how they had to have Belle and Sebastian drummer Richard Coburn to join them live. They’ll also be playing multiple instruments and navigating a sea of equipment. Intermingled are 3 “music videos” of the group doing the songs live. Definitely worth watching.

Jacknife Lee Studio Safari - is an art piece that shows the band as they were laying the record down. I never get tired of seeing stuff like this. First person POV walking through the guys as they are playing, kids in the control room, and a great soundtrack.

Check out Snow Patrol’s website

My Brightest Diamond’s latest release A Thousand Shark’s Teeth is simply stunning. There is no way around the beauty of this record both musically and lyrically. Classically trained vocalist, Shara Worden, spearheads this outfit with multiple layers of strings, beautifully placed percussion, and the eerie reminiscing vocal stylings. The first thoughts of Worden’s vocals will take you to comparing it to Blonde Redhead or the rememberable soundtrack of 1998 film Great Expectations. You may also recognize her vocals from the new classic, Illinoise, from Indie weirdfolk musician Sufjan Stevens.

The record is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a dramatic tale pushing and pulling you through the waves of it’s grabbing lyrics and original music. I have been disappointed lately by many records feeling unoriginal and borrowing heavily from the Beach Boys or indie pop bands. My Brightest Diamond seems so fresh and original. Her voice is strong and captivating. The music brings you on a journey that lasts throughout the record. Doing a little bit of homework I have found that she creates her music by visually picturing the formation of the sounds, like their is a visual moving picture of how and what she will create. She wants to instill beauty and wonder and I think that is a task upon itself and I believe it was accomplished in this record. Her bio has said she was “Influenced by artists such as Tricky, French composer Maurice Ravel and Tom Waits, in addition to the star exploration themes of Anslem Kiefer’s paintings, the imaginary landscapes of photographer Robert ParkeHarrison, films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and Alice in Wonderland.”

The record can be streamed at the Asthmatic Kitty website or her myspace page.

The record is a strong record, beautiful, layered, and all around hopeful. It’s dramatic and daring with a soft kisses touch. Worden’s vocals are some of the best out their for your listening pleasure. A sure talent that needs to be listened to.

Right now you can stream Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band right from his website. From what I can hear it seems relaxed and smooth. But I will give you the chance to make your opinion before I skew it with mine.

The album was recorded in Tepoztlán, Morales, Mexico with friends over a six week span. The interesting news of the record is that it is not a Bright Eyes record which is normally a solo effort of the mind of Oberst and it is also not being released on Saddlecreek or any of Oberst’s record labels it’s being released by Merge records August 5.

My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges took my by a but of surprise. The earlier release, Z received critical acclaim and this new record definitely has me talking as well. The record runs in and out of 70s rock, Prince esque vocal bursts, and stripped down ballads that are more sweet than make one want to roll the eyes.

The record is strong. At first it’s a little intimidating and moments where I wonder where these songs took their roots and how they ended up together on the record. It’s a fun record taking a number of twists and turns. It’s fun that each song represents a different influence. The 70s rock bands, the vocals of Prince and Wayne Cohen (the Flaming Lips), doo-woop, soul, and soft songs that James Taylor or Paul Simon could easily have written. I think the record shares the beauty of mystique. It’s not easy to pin down or figure out exactly but that’s what I enjoy about this record and enjoy most about this band.

With the disappointing boring release of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida it’s nice to know that bands are willing and able to explore musical genres and styles. I like when a record makes you go back and give it another go around. Evil Urges begs you to do this. There seem to be an erasure of boundaries of what is cool and what shouldn’t be done on this record. It is strong and worth being heard and then reheard.

All that being said the record is smart and accessible. I had it playing with my father around and he wanted a copy (my dad is great but music is not his thing). The hard working rock band will be on tour this summer. If they are in your town you must check them out. I hear they are even better live.

Summer/Fall 2008 Tour Dates:
8/15 - Nashville, TN - Riverfront Park
8/16 - Louisville, KY - The Great Lawn @ Waterfront Park
8/18 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
8/19 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove
8/21 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8/23 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
8/24 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s
8/27 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theater
8/29 - Miami, FL - The Fillmore Miami Beach
8/30 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
8/31 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
9/3 - Washington, DC - Constitution Hall
9/4 - Charlottesville, VA - Charlottesville Pavilion
9/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
9/6 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
9/19 - San Francisco, CA - Greek Theatre
9/21 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
9/23 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theatre
9/24 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
9/25 - San Diego, CA - SDSU Open Air Theatre
9/27 - Portland, OR - McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
9/28 - Seattle, WA - McCaw Hall
10/2 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
10/3 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
10/4 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
10/9 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
10/10 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

Ok, ok, so after already being heralded as potentially the best new band of 2008 by Spin Magazine, another article on Vampire Weekend may not exactly be on the cutting edge. Continue Reading

William Fitzsimmons announces his first video ever from the album “Goodnight”. Continue Reading

After much thought and deliberation the offices of The Drop have moved. This is especially exciting since I don’t have to drive at least 1.5 hours to see a national tour. Continue Reading

Bon Iver is the work of Justin Vernon. A year ago after breaking apart from his band DeYarmond Edison, Vernon went to his parents cabin in Wisconsin to hibernate for the Winter. However, his creative instincts could not be sedated. Vernon ended up writing and recording in marathon sessions. The result of which is a masterpiece called For Emma, Forever Ago. Read the full story here. Continue Reading

Joshua Radin has garnered a large following over the last couple of years by landing his songs in key spots on prime time television programs as well as two featured tracks on Zach Braff’s The Last Kiss soundtrack. In the past, Radin has recorded and toured with Schuyler Fisk, who is absolutely enchanting. Continue Reading

If you are a sucker for female vocals the chances are high that you would enjoy listening to The Bridges. This band of southern babes comes to us from the great state of Alabama where they share more than a house together; they share what is referred to in Alabama as kinfolk. As a variety of bands have done before them such as Eisley, The Carpenters, The Judds and Tegan & Sara, the Bridges have created a sound together as a family affair. The band consists of four siblings (Jeremy Byrd, Natalie Byrd, Isaaca Byrd and Stacey Byrd) and a first cousin (Brittany Painter) who fronts the band as the lead singer. Continue Reading