In my opinion, Kevin Devine is among the best modern singer/songwriters of our generation, and his newest album, Brother’s Blood is a success that exhibits just why this is the case. The best way to describe this album is to quote Kevin himself as “The end of days, a dead dog and his sailor master, hallucinogenic fever dreams, sexual infatuation, vividly imagined infidelity, Irish women, Irish Spring, baby boomers, cold feet, getting responsible, life on life’s terms.” And this all makes perfect sense. Basically, this album can’t be lumped into a category, only poetry; heartache and musical brilliance.

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Lucas Kane is one of those rare performers who will not compromise when it comes to heart and emotion. This is very evident while listening to his debut EP, Stars and Blue, a near-flawless and laid-back work of acoustic song craft and poetry. He is self reflective and compelling yet breathtaking and powerful at the same time.

The Australian native’s first track, “Tomorrow” is extremely upbeat and a great song to wake you up in the morning. The lyrics, “Today will do, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring”, make a procrastinator like me feel almost downright shameful (almost). As an opener, it does hook with you with a burst of energy, but, as you will see, it is a departure from the rest of the album.

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You could describe the Brooklyn based band, Longwave, as “Synth, Rock…Stylish and Atmospheric” or just simply “Awesome”. The band is back with a cohesive, symphonic sound that makes you wonder why you may not have heard of them before. Sure I could go into moribund details about how they used to open for the Strokes, had tons of personal squabbles and a disparaging encounter with RCA—but what’s the point. Just listen to their album and be appreciative that you do, know them now.

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As of late, the music scene has become quite devoid of Funk and Soul. Leave it to Laura Cheadle’s Live On to reignite the sound and hopefully redefine the music landscape. Blessed with Laura’s soulful voice and accompanied by superb instrumentation, this album will get you grooving.

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A man I play dodgeball with gave me Right on Dynamite’s EP, and knowing me to be a smooth mothereffer with words, said “Let the world know if this sucks, is just OK, or does not suck, homeslice.”*  Mission accepted.

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Laura Thomas at Rockwood

Have you had a bad day at work?  Do you need some down time?  Well, look no further than the Laura Thomas Band and their new album Live the Rockwood, a surefire way to help you unwind.  Not saying that you need it.  But I kind of do, since I am writing this on a Friday morning.

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Sydney Wasyers Latest CD

I first came across singer-songwriter Sydney Wayser in the small cozy-crowded space of the Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side.

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After Mercury Rising lost their lead singer, the remaining members of this Poughkeepsie NY band had to hang tight and undergo an intense search to find not only a replacement but a perfect fit.

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Black 47’s Iraq is a work of protest and outcry. Not surprisingly a hit with the military overseas with songs titled “Downtown Baghdad”, “Sadr City” and “Ballad of Cindy Sheehan”, this album fuses Celtic rock, brass, and energy along with a hefty dose of political angst.

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Audio Fiction Album Cover

EDITOR’S NOTE - Our reviewer initially downloaded tracks in the opposite order, which explains some of the comments below.

Alternating between hard rock vibes to sweet melodious intonations Audtio Fiction brings you their new album, the appropriately named, Audio Fiction.  This rock band has Kristin on vocals, Darren on bass and keys and Mark on drums (who apparently can cause quite a stir with or without his drum set).  Completing the creative package is the lead guitarist, Charles, who is absolutely amazing.  His technique, for me, is transcendent.   The true stands-outs of the album that highlights their ability are “Suffocate”, “Race the Hourglass” and “Ever Wonder”.

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