Colin Davis is a young man who is creating some very good songs that flirt with different types of musical genres including folk and rock. The music is nothing too abstract. Just catchy tunes and songs that are great to play especially first thing in the morning because they can put you a good mood for the rest of the day.

The first song “Stale Air” is a good opener that sets a great pace for the rest of the EP. He sings “Its stale - the air hanging in your lungs, out now with the prayer and the dust” while you hear a strongly strummed guitar and piano melody that resembles something you would hear in a burlesque party in the 1850’s. The last part of the song ends with a party inside a tavern where the instruments all meet, causing listeners to want to get up and dance or at the very least tap beer mugs and take a chug. The second song “Doctors and Lawyers” changes things up nicely with a lead sustained guitar and organ. In this song I felt like I was hearing the combination of Jack White and Conor Oberst in the best way possible. There really isn’t a bad song among the bunch. “The Restless and The Wicked” is a slower number wrapped in solace and understanding for the listener to rejoice in while the last song “Unstained” is a closer that starts slowly and intensifies through its duration as he sings poignant lyrics that resonate with common universal truth. At the ripe age of 20 years old this young man has a very bright future ahead of him. Do yourself a favor and go buy this album because everyone out there should be supporting him so we can hear more music for years from him to come.

Every week we mention a couple of artists that are worth your time to check out that were not featured in our weekly reviews.    

If you are unfamiliar with Sterile Cuckoo the debut full length “The Adventure Park” is an inviting release that fans of enticing, experimental and instrumental music will be coming back to more than once after they listen to this album. The name of the debut really serves its purpose well in that the album is very much like an adventure park. Some tracks are ethereal ambience while others chug forward with brilliant electronics and warm synths. Take for example the song “Sterile Cocoon.” It reminds me of what it was like to be eight years old − discovering, wondering and excited for whatever was coming around the corner.

A driving bass driven drum beat lies against the gorgeous gothic sound of an organ and then it stops and we are introduced to a whirlwind of sound that is like a heavenly mix of voices and synths and just at the right moment the drums kick back in and away we go. Other songs such as “Heart Delay” are so uniquely written. The song starts with a bass drum, guitars and piano playing a fun, poppy melody and transforms like a caterpillar into a butterfly as gorgeous waves of white noise are introduced and eventually brings the song to a close. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Do yourself a favor and listen to this today.

hhmm I know these guys are a buzz band and they are signed to a great label but  these guys aren't  quite as kick ass as everyone is making them out to be. Maybe it's cause I'm 32 and these young chaps are in their late teens and they have a album titled "you're nothing" which reminds of the sort of sentiment that would be floating around my head at that age .That being said there are a number a decent tunes on this album that are fun to listen to if I'm in the mood for some good ole fashioned, post punk, teen angst. The songs are a bit rough around the edges at points but the band is clearly good at what they do. However, I didn't get the same visceral reaction I felt when I listened to a similar band like cloud nothings.

Opener "ecstasy" starts of with a ring of feedback and distorted guitars. The drums snap in with the singers English accent rolling over the music. It works well and they continue with this structure for the duration of the 24 minutes and 12 tracks that are on this album. There are other good songs as well such as "Burning hand" and "Morals". The songs really roll into one another and if you like one you're gonna like the others. Maybe I'm just getting old and feel like this is a tree that has already been climbed to many times. Anyway, take a listen for yourself and you be the judge.

    If you are unfamiliar with Puscifer it is Maynard James Keenan ( Tool, perferct circle) and company. This album brings  experimental, electronic sounds to the forefront. It also includes two rather disparate covers. One is of "Bohemian Rhaposody" the other entitled "Balls to the wall" by the band accept. The other five songs on the album are originals and remixes that contain distorted bass, guitars at the focal point. The percussion plays a backdrop this time around.
    The cover of "Bohemian Rhaposody" is quite faithful to the original. I guess the thought here is why fuck with something that is near perfect.  The cover of "Balls to the walls" steps away from the original that trades in the guitar riffs for and electro/industrial type feel. Then there are the originals such as "Breath" which also includes a remix as well. The song has an industrial type vibe to it while Maynard lets loose his hushed vocals. This is a solid release but  leaves the listener yearning for a bit more

    Faded paper figures are one "of the best kept secrets in indie rock. They don't have a huge following but gives a shit cause these guys really came in their own with this album. I really wasn't very impressed with some of the earlier efforts but their latest release "the matter" has a level of depth and emotion that was apparent on their previous efforts. The Band has matured into something that is more striking and visceral. This album succeeds more then it fails at trying to create off beat pop gems that resonate with the listener.
    The opener "San Narciso" is a good start to the album that has a nice driving distorted synth bass trudging along with a natural sounding drum kit. The vocals lay on top nicely of the song as it moves forward. Other songs work as well such as "Better" which has a lot of fun ear candy to listen to such as woobly synths with blips and beeps, nice sounding guitars and infectious vocal melodies. The songs are good but I feel the highligt is "Pantechnê Driver" which
is a new direction that isn't just a quirky pop song. While guitar notes are  shredded with a pick while being drenched in reverb it creates a wave of noise that will have fans of sigur ros cheering. These guys are moving in the right direction and am excited to see what comes next.
   

Nick cave and the bad seeds have been around longer then most marriages. 30 years and counting this is the bands 15th studio album. In this time the band has explored different genres and flirted within a variety of different formats. This album reminds me  of early Nick Cave. I think a lot of long time fans will happy with this album.  the guitars have been put away for the most part  and it is a quiet, smooth and beautifully crafted album as usual, the lyrics are exceptional.
   
The album offers a couple of higlights which were on repeat"We No Who `U `R," is a song that has a nice smooth bass lines, chimes, while Nick croons "tree don't know what the little bird sings", Nick sings this one with backing vocalists and the song sets the pace and tone for the whole album. There is a badass flute solo at the end of this one
"Push the Sky Away," which is the last song on the album is cinematic and has an eerie vice. The synth, bass and Drums are all up in your grill and they really let Nick step into the stoplight as the poet he is. Sprinkle on some background vocals and you have another Nick Cave album that hits the spot.

    If there is an album we missed we don't have any problem reviewing it a couple years late. In this case we discoved a awesome gem that will get fans of max ricter, sigur ros type music very excited. The young mans name is Sebastian Plano and has created some captivating music that we have starting playing  in the early morning at our offices. I’ve been listening to the album for the last couple of weeks and every time I listen to these songs, the many sounds within  them continually  unfolds secret chambers and new territory to explor. Even though I probably spun this album about 25 times I always feel that I am discovering something new. every time I listen This music is really appreciated most when listening on system that deserves these types of sounds (nice headphones or sound system).
    There are a lot of great tracks on this. Some highlights for me include "Image of Sentimentals" that has a gorgeous string section that is accompanied by a circular, simple yet beautiful piano melody. I was pleasatly surprised when I heard the third track "Running on Caffeine which picks up the pace a bit with some nice sounding electronic drum kits.
Overall, these songs really flow nicely into one another and is something that is such a treat to listen to.