This World Fair

You know how Five For Fighting and Secondhand Serenade are really just one person? No? Well they are. Add to that list This World Fair. Chris Kalgren is the man behind the name. From Minnesota, Kalgren describes his music as "the pop side of rock and the rock side of pop." And that is very fitting actually. This World Fair thrives on guitar driven melodies and lyrics that are easily identifiable ranging from failed relationships to falling in love.

First single off the new album, which is in stores now, is called San Francisco. It is the perfect glimpse into This World Fair. It's a mid-tempo number about losing the one you love due to their ambitions in life (You're gonna see the world through a brighter window/you're gonna miss me baby when you're feeling low). All in all, This World Fair is a great example of what happens when you mix great songwriting with strong melodies.

This World Fair- Myspace
San Francisco (Live)-

Runner Runner

If you are a fan of Hellogoodbye, then Runner Runner is for you. They have an electro edge to all their songs. Their sound isn't anything you haven't heard before but sometimes it doesn't hurt to make music accessible. First single So Obvious is well, self explanatory in terms of meaning. A guy shows his love for a girl. From Huntington Beach, CA, the guys from Runner Runner have soaring choruses, tight arrangements- sometimes overproduced, but they did put out an acoustic EP. And from that you can really hear the heart of all the songs once it is stripped down.

Another great song to check out is the slower Dedicate. It is just begging for 90210 or Gossip Girl to feature it in an episode. And that is just what is keeping Runner Runner from making it big. The potential is there for these guys to finally get noticed, all they need is that killer single to get them there. So far, so good.

Runner Runner- Myspace
So Obvious-

Phantom Planet

Say wha? Ok so Phantom Planet aren't so much new but my reaction to their recent indefinite hiatus was one of shock. You may know them from their contribution to pop culture on a little show called The OC (bitch!). They put out a brand new album a few months back called Raise The Dead. I thought it was one of their best. It was miles away from the vibe everyone got from the song California.

One of the best tracks off of their album inspired by cults was Leader. With its hypnotic chorus of children chanting Join our hands and sing along, you'll find yourself following suit. Phantom Planet finally realized their true potential was not in teen dramas (Although it's not a bad way for a band to get noticed.) They were, underneath, a loud guitar, quick and dirty, rock band with a penchant for writing a hook. They will be missed on the music scene.

Phantom Planet- Myspace
Leader-

Pete Murray

Fans of acoustic singer/songwriters rejoice, because Pete Murray is here. He's not one of those high voiced, overly hyped artists coughBonIvercough. Think of him as a cross between Pete Yorn John Mayer, and Jack Johnson. Hailing from the Land Down Under, Murray offers a breathe of fresh air on a scene where so many artists sound the same.

I first got into his music with his album See The Sun. On that album there are some great melodic gems like the song Better Days which is all about looking back on life and wondering where it all went wrong. And Opportunity which is about taking chances even though you may not think you should- Don't pause too long, it's fading and it's ending all too soon/Soon you'll see.

Pete Murray is at his best on the mid-tempo to slow numbers but his voice cuts right through to the heart of the song. His new album, Summer At Eureka, is filled with what he does best. Check out the harmonica fueled Saving Grace.

Pete Murray- Myspace
Saving Grace-

Everybody Else

In all my searching for new artists/bands lately, I failed to mention the one band I discovered a while back. From L.A., Everybody Else, specialize in the hook; that part of the song that you can't get out of you head. They released their self titled album a while ago and shortly after put out an acoustic version of the same album called 1 1/2. The songs are sunny, melodic, and ultra catchy. Lead singer Carrick Gerety has a fantastic raspy voice. It kind of sounds like he has been singing all day.

They have so many great songs, but Meat Market might be their best. It's bouncy, fast-paced, and has tongue and cheek lyrics- Never forget that the world where we met is a meat market. And their acoustic take on the song I Gotta Run brings a whole new meaning to the song. By slowing down the tempo, they take it from a kiss off pop song to a yearning ode to a break up with lines like He can't love you like I do. Everybody Else might be ridden off as yet another pop/rock band but when did that become a bad thing?

Everybody Else- Myspace
Meat Market-

Living Things

Well, it's raining outside right now and what do you know, I just found the perfect song to listen to. It's the new single from Living Things called Let It Rain. Appropriate right? Well if you are a fan of Queens of the Stone Age with a late 90s alternative rock hook then check out this band. From St. Louis, Living Things had a decent single last year with Bom Bom Bom- a slow burning groover.

Their new album which features Let It Rain is called Habeas Corpus and comes out early next year. This song (which you can hear below) is quite excellent. The distinct lead vocals of Lillian Berlin is what really keeps the song interesting. His sings in a lower register than all those annoying emo bands. Let It Rain is about realizing that the best of your life has passed you by with lines like: Our glory days are over/ our glory days are gone/ let it rain. Definitely will be checking out the whole album when it hits stores if they can sustain the momentum of the first single.

Living Things- Myspace
Let It Rain-

Elliot Minor

Elliot Minor is a band. Not a person. Now that that is out of the way, I know it feels like I've been blogging about a lot of English bands, but when you got, you got. Elliot Minor is a kind of like a British version of Green Day. Not only are they a punk/pop band but they have a violinist in their midst. That is enough for me to get on board. Their songs are completely catchy without being annoying and complex. They have a layered sound that feels like it could spin out of control at any minute. But they guys in Minor never let the songs overpower them.

A great example of this is The White One Is Evil; a song that plays out like an Apocalyptic soundtrack. With an ominous chorus that is a showdown of good and evil (Were you sent to destroy me/look I'm still breathing), and that looks can be deceiving. (Hence the title) One of my all time favorite songs, that sends chills down my spine.

Elliot Minor- Myspace
The White One Is Evil-

The Hiss

Ever get in the mood to just crank up your radio loud and just let whoever is listening get an earful? No? Just me? Ok. Well The Hiss is the perfect band to do that with. Their music is not your average radio rock. It is all loud fuzzed out guitars, big beats, and gin soaked vocals goodness. And better yet, they are from Atlanta.

I heard their single Clever Kicks back when MTV2 was playing music instead of MTV reruns, and knew that they were my kind of band. Their debut disc Panic Movement was not available in any stores I shop, but after some searching online, I found it and it is terrific. They know how to get the job done but with songs that actually have decent melodies. None of this slasher death thrash metal mess. But I am sorry to say that The Hiss have broken up. But this doesn't mean that you still shouldn't check them out because they were well worth it.

And bonus points if you can tell me why in the world the song below is called Clever Kicks. I have yet to figure it out.

The Hiss- Myspace
Clever Kicks-

The Holloways

Hailing from North London, The Holloways are an indie rock band with a knack for writing jangly guitar ditties. With their new EP, Sinners and Winners, they don't stray too far from that formula. Their best of the bunch is the title track which could literally be used to keep time to jumping rope. Upbeat, bouncy, and lightning fast delivery make this record a must listen. They can best be described as a first cousin of The Fratellis. (The band from the iPod commercials)

Their second full length album Tales from the Tarmac is expected to be released early next year. If you like what you hear, check out some of their stuff off their debut album especially Two Left Feet which features harmonica and fiddle- an unexpected change of pace.

Check out this revealing interview from Spoonfed on what the band is working on now.

The Holloways- Myspace
Sinners and Winners-

The Best Of...

Lists, lists, lists. Seems like everyone and their brother make an end-of-the-year best-of list. Well I'm no different. BUT instead of falling into the hype of who critics say was the best, I am making a list of the albums I actually bought this year. Because if an album was supposedly so great, then I would have bought it and enjoyed it. So here you go, the best 10 of 2008 that you can actually listen to.

10-The Bird and the Bee Sides- Relient K
Relient K has been regrouping after losing a member and has come out of it even better than before. This album is two in one; it has a lot of demos, b sides, and other rarities, which aren't really that great. BUT the new stuff called The Tennis EP is Relient K at a whole new level. They embrace a little southern twang in their sound with banjos sprinkled throughout Where Do I Go From Here, and let everyone have their turn taking lead vocals to some surprising results, such as the rollicking The Last, The Lost, The Least. Relient K- Myspace

9-Viva La Vida- Coldplay
I did not enjoy Coldplay's last album X&Y. It was too much of the same. I was hesitant to pick up Viva La Vida, but after hearing the epic nature of the title track, the pounding Violet Hill, and the very melodic Strawberry Swing, I knew this wasn't the same Coldplay. Sure it is still piano driven music, but Chris Martin's delivery is lower and even the instrumental Life in Technicolor is mesmerizing. It lands at number 9 on my list because the album is very uneven. But the good outweighs the bad.
Coldplay-Myspace

8-Red Album-Weezer
That album cover could have been enough to drive me away, but I'm glad it didn't. While the songs are very hit and miss, when Weezer is on their game, you get epic songs like Dreamin', which changes tempo and even has birds chirping on it. Sure Pork and Beans was classic Weezer, but what we haven't come to expect from Rivers and the guys is a change in song structure. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived not only has different song structure but has every single music genre included in it. A great album that shows some real growth. Weezer- Myspace

7-Detours-Sheryl Crow
Dubbed as her most personal yet, Sheryl Crow shines on the bouyant Love Is Free. She tackles everything from the price of gas, to the war in Iraq, to her newly adopted son, and her break up with Lance Armstrong. Each song has a great hook and meaningful lyrics to back it up. A solid effort from an artist who put out the most relevant album of the year. Sheryl Crow- Myspace

6-Vampire Weekend-Vampire Weekend
A very different sounding band that mixes African drum beats and reggae into a pop/rock sound that was made for lazy days. A Punk is one of the best songs to come around in years. Vampire Weekend gets style points for finding the perfect sound to accompany you at the beach. Vampire Weekend-Myspace

5-Wanderlust-Gavin Rossdale
He may get no respect because of his 90's rep, but Gavin Rossdale knows his way around a hook. Wanderlust is filled with straight forward rock and he is not apologizing for it. There are the required ballads but these are not sugary or sappy in any way. On the track Frontline, Gavin wonders why he is still living his rock lifestyle on the road with a wife and kid at home. Excellent album for someone who's more famous for his wife than his music. Gavin Rossdale- Myspace

4-Pretty.Odd.- Panic At the Disco
Who knew dropping the '!' from their name would cause such an uproar. But if that is what it took to get Panic to refine their sound, then it was worth it. Pretty.Odd. is filled with catchy songs from beginning to end. Here they sound like they have finally discovered The Beatles, and are showing their influences in their music. They go from kooky circus music, to folk, to pop, and back again, all the while proving it doesn't matter if you left out the excitement from your name. Panic At the Disco- Myspace

3-Dig Out Your Soul-Oasis
Who still cares about Oasis? After Wonderwall didn't they break up? Well, I still care and no they didn't. Dig finds Oasis getting their swagger back with their best album since What's the Story (Morning Glory)? First single The Shock of the Lightning, proves that they are ready to take America radio back, if only we would let them.
Oasis- Myspace

2-Whisper War- The Cab
Never has an album been so great from the first song to the last. I mean it, every song has a killer hook, interesting arrangements, and great lyrics. Now don't get me wrong, this is very much a pop/rock album and band. They understand that songs at their very heart must have a great melody. And you get that with The Cab in spades.
The Cab- Myspace

1-Only By the Night-Kings of Leon
I've always liked some of their songs, but never an entire album. The Kings finally got it right when they backed away from the sloppy playing and singing and accepted who they were. With Only By The Night, the Followill boys achieve a zenith in music- great melodies, interesting vocals, solid songwriting, and accessibility. Kings of Leon are reaching for the back of the stadium and beyond on soaring tracks like Sex On Fire and Use Somebody with the latter finding them at their most vulnerable. The best album of 2008. Kings Of Leon- Myspace