First Wave Hello - "Lay Down" (2006)

First Wave Hello were an alternative/electro rock band from San Diego. I first became aware of them in spring of 2007 when I saw them open for Ken Andrews. Opening bands are sometimes hit or miss but I had a feeling these guys would be good considering that they were also acting as the backing for Andrews on the entire tour. If he trusted them enough to do that, I figured they had to be at least decent. The band powered through about five original songs that blew away the small crowd that was more than receptive to their electronica laced brand of alternative rock. After the show I picked up a copy of their debut full length The Lord and Its Penguin, which was mixed by Andrews. Today’s song was the standout track for me both on the record and in the live setting. It mixes some excellent keyboard sounds and atmospherics with driving guitars and a melody that stays with you. The band released one more album called God Bless, Devil You in 2007 and are currently on indefinite hiatus according to their Myspace page.


First Wave Hello - "Lay Down"

Anberlin - "Soft Skeletons" (2008)

Anberlin has been a favorite band of mine ever since their debut Blueprints for the Black Market in 2003. Since then they’ve release three other great full lengths, the latest of which being their major label debut New Surrender. There was a lot of speculation as to whether Anberlin would “sell out” and make a crappy radio rock record that didn’t stay true to the sound that got them where they are. Well all those fears can be put to rest after one listen to New Surrender. I won’t lie, there is something different about the production this time around as the band opted to go with Neal Avron instead Aaron Sprinkle behind the board. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just different. The songs are just as catchy and rocking as ever with several guitar solos that immediately let you know you’re hearing Anberlin. I got to see them live the same week the record came out and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. The band were in top form and energetic throughout the entire set that included old favorites as well as several new tracks. Front man Stephen Christian was genuinely grateful for the enthusiasm of the crowd as he gushed “This is amazing,” between nearly every song. Today’s song is one of the last on the album and is a great mid tempo song with some really inspirational lyrics. Anberlin are one of the hardest working bands in the scene and are truly nice guys who enjoy what they do. Seeing firsthand the joy they get out of it makes their albums all the more enjoyable for me.


Anberlin - "Soft Skeletons"

Punch Brothers - "I Know You Know" (2008)

Punch Brothers is the latest project of Nickel Creek vocalist/mandolin player Chris Thile. Thile has surrounded himself with an accomplished set of talented musicians they play music much in the same vein as that of Nickel Creek. The band has been together since the recording of Thile’s 2006 solo album How To Grow a Woman From the Ground. They later renamed themselves Punch Brothers and released their debut album Punch in February of 2008. The centerpiece of the record is a four movement suite entitled “The Blind Leaving the Blind,” Thile’s most ambitious work to date clocking in at over 40 minutes. I had the pleasure of seeing Punch Brothers live in concert this weekend and it was quite an enjoyable experience. The band had an amazing presence in the intimate setting with probably fewer than 500 attendees, all of whom were wowed by musicianship of the group. Punch Brothers put on a truly great show complete with onstage banter and anecdotal humor. The highlight of the night for me was their performance of today’s song. “I Know You Know” is a track I haven’t been able to stop listening to. The odd thing is that it was only included on the iTunes version of Punch as a bonus track. I would say it’s worth it to go ahead and get the iTunes version even if only for this song, not to mention the rest of the album is great as well. Punch Brothers are continuing to tour and are intending to record another album sometime in the near future. As long as Thile’s involved, I’ll be there.


Punch Brothers - "I Know You Know"

Tegan and Sara - "The Con" (2007)

Tegan and Sara Quin are a twin sister team that have been releasing records for ten years now. The Canadian duo’s first album Under Feet Like Ours came out in 1999 when they were only 19. They gained notoriety in the States following the release of their 2004 album So Jealous, which featured the popular single “Walking With a Ghost.” The song was later covered by the White Stripes for an EP of the same name. Tegan and Sara’s quirky indie rock style is defined by their largely acoustic based arrangements with both sisters trading off on vocals. Today’s song is the title track from their 2007 album The Con which they co-produced along with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist/producer extraordinaire Chris Walla. Tegan and Sara are currently working on an as yet untitled album expected to be released this fall.


Tegan and Sara - "The Con"

The Academy Is... - "His Girl Friday" (2008)

The Academy Is... have been on my radar since their excellent 2005 debut Almost Here showcased their ability to write incredibly catchy pop rock songs. They changed direction somewhat in 2007 with their sophomore album Santi which employed a more straightforward rock sound but was still quite good. I was thrown off by their new sound at first but eventually grew to like it and I looked forward to hearing more from them in that vein. I was surprised last August to walk into the music store and see Fast Times at Barrington High sitting on the shelf. I wasn’t even aware they were coming out with a new record, but I of course purchased it nonetheless. The Academy Is… took it back to high school in more ways than one on this record. Gone are the retro guitar tones found on Santi. Fast Times is unapologetically poppy and feels much more like Almost Here. You would think that would be good, but there is just something too polished about this record. A lot of the songs sound similar and make The Academy Is… blend in with the nameless and faceless thousands of emo bands out there today. That being said, Fast Times isn’t a lost cause and it works well as windows down driving music to bob your head to. “His Girl Friday” is a pretty clever song with some interesting synth lines thrown in for good measure.


The Academy Is... - "His Girl Friday"

Snow Patrol - "If There's a Rocket Tie Me To It" (2008)

I’ve been a fan of Snow Patrol ever since hearing “Spitting Games” from their 2004 breakout album Final Straw. Since that time this band from the U.K. has seemed poised to take over the world on the strength of their ubiquitous hit “Chasing Cars” from their 2006 album Eyes Open. That album was huge commercial success, selling over 3 million copies worldwide. Pretty much every track on Eyes Open was phenomenal so Snow Patrol had a lot to live up to with the follow up album. They released their fifth studio album A Hundred Million Suns last October. I was a little unsure when I heard the first single “Take Back the City.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good song, but it just didn’t grab me the way Snow Patrol has in the past. It eventually grew on me and I was looking forward to the new record. It’s hard to place why, but A Hundred Million Suns has yet to make a huge impression on me. I mean the songs are good, but for the most part they’re just there. Several songs employ the same repetitive strumming pattern that worked so well on “Open Your Eyes” from Eyes Open, but here it just feels redundant. There are however some interesting tracks such as the epic three part closer “The Lightning Strike,” clocking in at over 16 minutes. Today’s song is the first on the record and is a great example of Snow Patrol on top of their game. A Hundred Million Suns is by no means a bad record, it’s just a mediocre one for a band that is capable of much more.


Snow Patrol - "If There's a Rocket Tie Me To It"

Matthew Sweet - "Sick of Myself" (1995)

Matthew Sweet is an alternative rocker who has been perfecting his brand of power pop for about as long as I’ve been alive. Sweet started out in the early 80s in the same Athens, GA music scene that gave birth to R.E.M. and the B-52s. His big break came in 1991 with the release of his album Girlfriend, featuring the single of the same name that eventually reached #4 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. A newer generation was exposed to Sweet as “Girlfriend” was featured as a playable track on Guitar Hero II. Today’s song comes from Sweet’s fifth studio album 100% Fun and was his biggest hit, topping out at #2 on the Modern Rock chart. I first became acquainted with Matthew Sweet while working in college radio. There is just an undeniable catchiness to this song and it got stuck in my head. From the guitar lick to the melody and the clever, self deprecating lyrics, it’s the blueprint for a power-pop hit. Matthew Sweet has continued to make records. He collaborated with Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles for a covers album entitled Under the Covers, Vol. 1 in 2006. Last year he released his tenth proper solo album, Sunshine Lies. I really haven’t kept up with his current music but “Sick of Myself” remains a standard for me when it comes to good clean fun.


Matthew Sweet - "Sick of Myself"

Kings of Leon - "Closer" (2008)

Kings of Leon are a band I’ve featured before, so I’ll spare you the back story. The band of three brothers and one cousin didn’t waste any time after 2007’s Because of the Times, following up quickly in September of last year with their fourth full length Only By the Night. I had always liked Kings of Leon somewhat passively but after seeing them perform two songs from Only by the Night on Saturday Night Live, I started paying closer attention. The album’s first single “Sex on Fire” has done well at radio and it’s no wonder why. It’s one of their catchiest songs and Caleb Followill’s distinctive wail is at its best. The one that really caught my ear however was “Use Somebody” an anthem of sorts featuring echoing backup vocals that remind me a lot of M83 at times. “Revelry” is a slow burner and one of the more bluesy tracks they’ve done. Kings of Leon have come a long way since 2005’s Aha Shake Heartbreak and at times it might be hard to believe this is the same band. That is no way a bad thing however because I think they are just maturing as song writers and taking their fans along for the ride. This album is solid from start to finish. Kings of Leon still retain that Southern groove that they’ve always had but this is probably their least Southern sounding release. Today’s song is the album opener with some interesting guitar effects and pounding drums that give it an eerie feeling that fits well with the lyrics. With Only By the Night, Kings of Leon have cemented their place among the rock elite in today’s current scene.


Kings of Leon - "Closer"

Pilot Speed - "Alright" (2006)

Pilot Speed are a rock band hailing from Canada who seem to be constantly surrounded by change. The band released their first record Caught By the Window in 2003 under the name Pilate. I became aware of that record in the spring of 2006 while working in college radio. At the time, I didn’t realize the album was nearly three years old. When I think about it now, I suppose the label decided to promote Caught By the Window in the U.S. at that time because the band were preparing to release their sophomore album Self Control for Life’s Speed in April 2006 in Canada. In July of 2006, Pilate announced they would be changing their name to Pilot Speed due to legal issues. The band signed with Wind-Up Records in the U.S. and their sophomore album was re-released in the U.S. under the new name Into the West. The re-release featured re-recorded versions of two songs from Caught By the Window, one of which is today’s song. “Alright” was featured in last year’s Kevin Bacon vehicle Death Sentence, which I didn’t see but was told that this song is the only reason to watch the movie. I figured I’d just go ahead and save you the trouble and let you hear it here. “Alright” begins with a lightly strummed acoustic and some piano and develops into a wall of sound with an excellent crescendo. The vocals are at times reminiscent of Augustana and it musically resembles a lot of British rock. Pilot Speed are currently working on their third proper full length with should be out sometime this year.


Pilot Speed - "Alright"

Robbie Seay Band - "Shine Your Light On Us" (2007)

Robbie Seay Band are one of the few Christian bands I actually listen to outside of a worship setting. That may sound bad but honestly, most modern worship music just isn’t my cup of tea. That’s not to say there’s no merit in it, I guess it’s just a matter of preference. That being said, Robbie Seay Band are a worship band, leading most Sundays at Ecclesia in Houston, where Robbie’s brother Chris is the pastor. I first became acquainted with Robbie Seay Band after the worship band at my church began playing “Song of Hope” from their 2007 album Give Yourself Away. My interest was piqued and I would find myself singing that song all the time. After hearing them play today’s song, I knew I needed to own this record. “Shine Your Light On Us” is an amazing song with a great melody and a truly great worship song. I was not disappointed with the rest of the album either with standout tracks such as the hard driving opener “Rise” and the hopeful “Love Wins.” In fact, the entire record is hopeful and while it is worship music, it distinguishes itself by not falling into the trap of a million repeated choruses and repetitive chord progressions. RSB are talented musicians and I will continue to look forward to what they have to offer in the future.


Robbie Seay Band - "Shine Your Light On Us"