About 12 years ago, a good friend of mine changed my life. He took me to some weird "Christian rock festival". I thought Petra was Christian rock. At this festival, I saw a number of bands who blew my mind. One of them featured some guy with long red hair, who played a 12 string Stratocaster, and strange man with a little electric saxophone, and a 6'5" tall bass player......and they made the most amazing music I had ever heard. I promptly bought "speckled bird" and have been a Choir fan ever
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Come Around Sundown is the 5th studio album from Tennessee Rock band Kings of Leon. After a previous release that was less than impressive, anticipation was high. And Come Around Sundown does not disappoint. It feels like a super-album, taking all the best bits from their previous releases and combining them to give fans something they have never heard before. Continue

 Citizen Cope- The Clarence Greenwood Recordings

Recently named to Rolling Stone's"10 Artists To Watch," along with a sly name that spells of intrigue, Citizen Cope is about to dismiss any style over substance myths. In fact for Cope, born Clarence Greenwood, it's quite the humble opposite, as he proclaims - "for me it's about the song."
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L.S.U.- Grace Shaker

Michael Knott has had quite a career thus far. He has been part of countless musical ventures, and is such a unique and innovative musician. Grace Shaker is definitely one of his most accessible recordings, laced with recurring mentions of substance abuse, heartfelt emotions seem to be rising out of him with such ease. One can't help but wonder if Michael is talking about his own struggles with alcoholism. Nevertheless, it seems to make for a great album.  Continue

Gabriel Wilson was quoted saying "...this was the most difficult album that
I've ever made..."That statement there should be enough to know that this
disc is full of emotion and intimabrooding 3 track scy. If your not familiar with Gabriel Wilson.He is the front man for The Listening. They released one of my favorite albums of last year. This is his first attempt at stepping out on his own. "Lovely is Death" was recorded in the music room of Wilson's duplex in Astoria,Oregon.  Continue

Sound Gallery- Phos

Herb Grimaud Jr, the sole person behind the abstract and droning sounds of The Sound Gallery, follows up the influential monster that was Designed For Reading with a dark and ophomore full-length. Phos...meaning light, as the album informs us in the jacket, is a 3-part piece of music ("Phos I", "Phos II", and "Phos III" respectively) dedicated Grimaud's brother-in-law's friend, who died a tragic death.   Continue

The double album - for many it's the crowning moment (or is intended to be) of an artist's career, one great encapsulating moment that summarizes, extends, and perfects everything that the artist has done in his or her career. Next to the concept album, it's probably the project that comes loaded with the most potential for collapse, holding as much possibility for exposing its creator as being blinded by his or her own grandiosity in lieu of enough ideas to fill up two discs of music.  Continue

Violet Burning- Drop-Dead

Over the last few years I have really taken a liking to The Violet Burning. They have easily become one of my favorite bands. They recently released the long awaited follow-up to This is the Moment. And a fine follow-up it is, easily one of the band's best efforts to date.  Continue

 don't know why but I have always had a soft spot for Ep's. Don't ask me why but I do. If you are like me you have never heard of Ghost Of The Russian Empire. But you might want to tack them up under your radar.The record's opening track, "August 1914" starts off with a trumpet. And then eases into a nice tempo groove. Sprinkled with horns through out. I really like the change in tempo during the song.   Continue

  Arcade Fire- Neon Bible