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

I have a soft spot for singer/songwriter Sonya Kitchell. Her 2006 release, Words Came Back to Me was something that I really enjoyed and made sure I passed notes about. The record was young but the name Sonya Kitchell remained in my memory and was awaiting a future release. So when I received, This Storm I quickly snagged it from Dan and listened to it nonstop for the last two weeks.

The strength of the record is apparent. The production from Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, Peter Gabriel) helps highlight the beauty and breeziness of her vocals and adding strength and awe with her beautifully strong guitar playing. She was backed by Burns on bass and multiinstrumentalist Brad Barr and drummer (also brother) Andrew Barr (from the band The Slip). Kitchell is noted for the work she has recently done with Herbie Hancock and it’s evident on this record. There is a strong blues connection on the song “Fire;” the guitar part being standout and memorable. . Though the standout track (I find my finger hitting repeat) is the beautiful “Soldiers Lament.” The song is mournful and beautiful full of that almost unreachable desire being intertwined by the simple finger picking. The lyrics of “So Lonely” could be written from the perspective of any women who didn’t get married at the age of 22….

The album will be released September 5 between Decca/Universal and Velour Music Group. The record can be streamed also from her myspace. Make sure you grab this record from one beautiful female singer. It’s rare these days that you find a confident women not in a size two dress covered in a facade. Kitchell is a find. The honesty in her songwriting is evident. I love this record. I hope you do as well.

Make sure you Check out the track: For Every Drop

Beauty and grace are offered yet again from sigur ró. It bursts with joy and sorrow. It is loud and crashing, ear grabbing and heart clenching. The beauty being offered is from the fifth full-length entitled, “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust.” Translated in English it means “with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly.”

The record begins playfully with a song entitled “gobbledigook.” Continue Reading

March 7, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA) – Four years since they parted ways, platinum-selling group SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER have decided to reunite and will make their first appearance in four years together next week at SXSW (Thursday, March 14 @ The Tap Room).
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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

Having remixed for the likes of Coldplay, Imogen Heap & Leigh Nash (to name a few), Morgan steps from behind the boards of producer and into the shoes of  an “artist”.  His Nettwerk debut “Elevate” is due in March & first single “Longest Road (Ft. Lissie)”  is already causing quiet a buzz.  With electronic music that is emotional in texture (think BT), Page is someone to watch.  Check out his remixing skills at their best with Regina Spektor’s “Fidelity” (in the download section).

Digital collaborations are becoming more an more popular. Normally I’d tell you about a band from a certain area of the world but I can’t do that with super indie D.I.Y. all stars Synthar. Let’s suffice to day they’re from America. Their first release, “Evenings and Weekends”, features 13 tracks of infectious synth pop that after just a few spins you’ll be singing first thing in the morning - or maybe that was just me.

Listening to the album I could hear the virtual nods to others in the genre like Black Moth Super Rainbow, Tycho and Zero 7. This album doesn’t focus on being overly polished but over the past 2 weeks it’s functioned like an old sweater that I put on for cold rainy days, warm and comfortable. Each track melds into the next nicely my personal favorite is how “047″ launches right into “The Robots are Among Us” mixing equal parts Flash Gordon and Ladytron. From front to back the vocals land somewhere between Willem Hartong (Breaking Laces) and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel).

Stand out tracks are Hurricanes, which has to be the gem of the album, leads form the gate as explosive and then as the vocals begin the mood backs off like a brooding 1990’s Depeche Mode track. Also notable tracks are “Beating Drum” and “New City” that feature hypnotic drones of sound that culminate in a great downtempo album.

If you’re into Electronic music - Synthar have the goods to scratch your digital itch

Visit Synthar.com

Synthar on Myspace

Filmmaker Isaac Dietz, the brain behind Tub-O-Popcorn Productions, has been documenting bands (Anathallo, As Tall as Lions, The Format, MAE) In January Dietz reveals “Road Test” an honest documentary about a band touring for the first time. Continue Reading

Some may have heard this, some not. But, Jon Foreman, acclaimed singer and writer of the band, Switchfoot, has decided to put on an EP of all the seasons. That’s right, the seasons. Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, will bring forth an EP of Foreman’s “softer songs.” Continue Reading

A lot can change in a day. Yesterday, I was perusing blogs and came across one talking about a certain artist, which used to be the frontman of one of my favorite 90s rock groups. Then, later that day, I went to Barnes & Noble and noticed the guy being featured in a magazine. That was two signs, you could say, which was enough for me to do my research. Enter, Emerson Hart. Former lead singer of the band, Tonic, which brought you, now-nostalgic pop/rock songs such as, “If You Could Only See,” “You Wanted More,” and “Mean To Me” to name favorite singles of mine. Continue Reading