Civalias

I'll give credit to where credit is due. I found out about Civalias from a great blog Let Me Like It. So I really can't take credit for this dig. BUT, when something is this good, it deserves to be found by any and everybody. Civalias is the project of Adam Stidham. Adam's from Southern California but his sound is similar to that of Aqualung and Coldplay. His songs are melodic and simple, somber and restrained.

His EP you.me.we., is filled with one great song after another. We Got Company and Something Real are the standouts, but really I could have chosen any of them. Something Real starts out with a lone piano before giving away to a wash of vocals singing, We can live without the worry because we survive on something real. It's all about loving someone for who they really are. Civalias' voice is reserved and quite amazing. His cover of Muse's Starlight is beyond words. He transformed that song and, in the words of any of the American Idol judges, made it his own...dawg.

Civalias- Myspace
Starlight-

Max Morgan

There's got to be something in the water over there in Liverpool. Hailing from the sacred stomping grounds as The Beatles, Max Morgan is a relatively young (22 years old) rocker with a sensitive side. And man, has he hit pay dirt. He's had his music featured in the taste-maker show Grey's Anatomy as well as it's sister show Private Practice. (The latter show featured the song Loneliest Man In the World).

Max's upcoming debut album Interrupting the Silence, comes out at the end of March. It features piano driven ballads and up tempo pop songs as well. First single Wait For Me, tells about not being ready to love someone; a mid-tempo pop song filled with giant piano and guitar melodies. The rest of his songs aren't quite as catchy as this one, but still worth a listen.

Max Morgan- Myspace
Loneliest Man In the World-

Tyrone Wells

Tyrone Wells sings that song. You know that song in the show. His music has been featured every-freaking-where,(Rescue Me, One Tree Hill, Numb3rs) but yet no one really knows who he is. His biggest and probably most familiar song has to be More which is featured heavily in TLC and A&E promos. Tyrone's music is hooky folk/pop/rock. His voice though is the main attraction here. He is in his element when acoustic guitar leaning melodies.

His new album Remain just hit stores and the title track is probably his best. Lyrically, Wells sings about being the one thing that will be sturdy in a life full of changes and chaos. It begins with a pulsing guitar chord before giving way to a charging chorus singing I will remain.

Tyrone Wells- Myspace
More/Remain-

Sesame Street

This is proof that ANY song, if arranged right, can hit you in the gut. Joshua Radin puts his spin on the Sesame Street theme song. You heard me. The Sesame Street theme song. Only accompanied by a piano, he turns the bubbly kid friendly tune into a serious, melancholy song that works on many levels. It was featured in last night's episode of Scrubs. And if you don't watch this show, just know that The Muppets were a key plot point throughout.

Check it out:

Jupiter Rising

Electropop, hip-hop, pop, and rock, all mixed together might not sound like something that quite fits together. But in the duo Jupiter Rising, damn if they don't make it work. Got a tip about them in my inbox, and on paper I was prepared not to like them. But my fears subsided upon listening to their first single off their upcoming album.

Falling Away begins with a somber church organ before letting the synths break in and giving away to a hip-hop style delivery by Spencer Nezey. The melody of the song is left to Jessie Payo. Together, this duo, complements each other nicely. Falling Away is a catchy piece of dance/pop much in the same way as Lady GaGa. Jupiter Rising's album The Quiet Hype hits stores in March and if they keep the music moving in the same way as their first single, it should be quite a sonic ride.

Jupiter Rising- Myspace
Falling Away-

Julia Easterlin

Julia Easterlin was brought to my attention by a friend of mine who shares my taste of music. Said to be a mix of Norah Jones and Regina Spektor, Julia Easterlin does give off a jazzy vibe with quirks. Among one of the most interesting songs I've heard, Go Straightaway finds Julia singing accappella with loops of her own voice, clicking, whispering, humming, etc. It's hard to describe just listen to it. This is what makes her so unique and a worthy listen.

Julia grew up in Georgia (shout out!) and has a really smooth voice. A lot of her songs lyrically are about universal themes of love and loss. She is an excellent musician playing piano, guitar, and well, handclaps. Check out her music on iTunes and juliaeasterlin.com.



Julia Easterlin-Myspace
Go Straightaway-

Red Cortez

Red Cortez are a new band, sort of. They use to go by The Weather Underground, but a lineup change caused them to change their name as well so as not "share their identity with anyone or anything else." Their renewed sense of self serves them quite well, as evidenced by their new song, All The Difference. This song finds Red Cortez as a somewhat southern coated Strokes or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club during their Howl phase.

All The Difference starts out with a repetitive piano chord building up to a scorching finish. Lead singer Harley Prechtel-Cortez's voice is reminiscent of The Walkmen style but with much better pitch. His raspy voice serves each song well painting pictures of rugged Americana rock and roll. A definite refreshing take after so many rock bands find themselves lost in overproduced, life is hard songs. Red Cortez will be making the rounds at SXSW.

Red Cortez- Myspace
All The Difference-

George Stanford

Every once in a while you find that band or artist that just has the goods. George Stanford is one of those finds. I remember hearing about him last year, and somehow he didn't register on my radar. But now is the time to correct that.

George Stanford specializes in music that is a blend of blues, rock, and piano driven melodies. His first LP, Big Drop features Stanford's pure simple vocals on true to the heart songs. The title track is the best with laid back verses that lead into a bombastic chorus. My Own Worst Enemy is a great track as well, a simple song that sounds like it came out of a saloon. (If that makes any sense.) Stanford relies on his amazing musicianship (he plays the freaking trombone) and that voice of his. Check out this guy if you're a fan of Jason Mraz; that's the only person today I can compare him to.

George Stanford- Myspace
My Own Worst Enemy-

The Classic Crime

Seattle band, The Classic Crime, are one of those bands with a great lead singer. And, that, my friends makes all the difference. Lead singer, Matt MacDonald has the kind of voice that cuts through everything with his grit and knack for melody. Their new album The Silver Cord is loaded with modern rock songs with uplifting, optimistic lyrics. Often times, modern rock gets bogged down in its depressing lyrics and no hope type of mentality. The Classic Crime sing about things such as missing home when on the road and believing in something bigger than yourself.

But it's their Acoustic EP: Seattle Sessions, that really shows the band's strength for songwriting. Their song Far From Home find the guys missing their friends and family while on the road touring.(The sidewalks scream our names, we are so far from home.) It only gets better as the music fades at end and the band relies solely on voices to push the song to greater height. But on the other hand, their song Seattle is about wanting to get out your town to follow your dream. With heart-tugging melodies and lyrics, The Classic Crime are definitely a band worth your time.

The Classic Crime- Myspace
Seattle

Chris Pureka

Ok, I've got a confession. From the picture, I judged Chris to be a guy. I listened to her music and was thrown completely off because her voice didn't match what I thought it would sound like. Then it all clicked. So don't make the same mistake I did. Chris Pureka is from Massachusetts but her voice sounds like it was bred in the deep south. She has a ragged, whiskey weary voice.

Her new EP, Chimera, comes out on January 20th. Her sound is very close to Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams, but a lot more melodic. Her cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's excellent Wagon Wheel, is a definite highlight. Also check out her very emotionally charged song off her sophomore album Dryland called Momentary Thief. It's about breaking up with someone you know doesn't love you the same way you love them. (I never won you over/ I just caught you on a good day.) Chris is destined to be one of the great artists of our time.

Chris Pureka- Myspace
Momentary Thief-

Barcelona

They're finally being called up to big leagues. Late last year, Barcelona announced that they have been signed to a major label and will be re-releasing their debut album Absolutes. Barcelona are not, as their name would suggest, from Barcelona. And not to be confused with the band I'm From Barcelona. These guys are from Seattle and specialize in piano-based melodies with elements of rock.

Their excellent single It's About Time features a driving chorus of piano and drums that will get you in the mood for some of their more sober offerings. Some of their songs often bring to mind Death Cab for Cutie and Coldplay. The inspirational song about continuing on in life no matter what, called Get Up, Get Up, Get Up, builds to a climax of strings and piano that is chill-worthy. If you haven't checked out this band, do so but hold off on getting their record until they release it, because I hear they are adding new tracks for the re-release.

Barcelona- Myspace
It's About Time

Midnight Youth

New Zealand- not only famous for the filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and that strange kiwi bird, but also rock band Midnight Youth. They've opened for Ok Go and Incubus but have had little success over here in the States. But I suspect their upcoming gigs at SXSW will change all of that.

Midnight Youth are comprised of five guys who know how to write and play great songs- not just one of those bands that are so weird you think that they must be cool. Youth relies on sharp hooks and songwriting to gain their footing in the music world. Although it is actually their third single, The Letter, I believe is their best. Starting out simply with piano and vocals the song tells a story about reconnecting with a friend via, coincidentally, a letter. The chorus is bombastic and fitting for the largest arenas out there. Midnight Youth will probably remain under the radar here until they break big at SXSW, mark my words.

Midnight Youth- Myspace
The Letter-

Vekstar

Vekstar is a trio from Nashville who specialize in folksy, pop songs. Everything seems to rely though on lead singer Mike Vecchio. His voice is a similar to that of Pete Murray. His harmonies with keyboardist Nichole Catalano-Miller offer a bright spot in the new song Tit For Tat. Their new EP, Monday Mourning, offfers up plenty of California pop, with a folky blues edge. Vekstar's music is a perfect companion for those lazy afternoons. It has a definite casual feel.

The only downside is that sometimes the songs can often go nowhere. They can lead up to something great, but just can't seem to get there. But those songs are few thankfully. One of their best songs is Quicksand. It blends a great melody with thoughtful lyrics about not living up to expectations. (We're building ships in quicksand, we're sitting ducks in quicksand.)

Vekstar- Myspace
Tit For Tat-

The Fold

I've been listening to The Fold for a good 2 years now. I just took them for granted but realized that maybe not everyone knows who they are. To my surprise, they released an EP called Stargazer late last year. With this EP, it finds The Fold shifting from they're familiar hook laden rock to a more electronic sound. Check out Good, Goodnight, the best of the bunch.

I became a fan of this band from Chicago due to their first album, This Too Shall Pass, which came out 3 years ago. It's still The Fold at their best. Their songs The Title Track and Gravity are songs that have yet to get old in my playlist. And the songwriting is great too, with lines like It's like gravity, what draws you to me/Someone I didn't know I needed it is just a great culmunation of hook, melody and lyrics. With their new direction off the EP, The Fold is proving that if you thought you knew what to expect, you better think again.

The Fold-Myspace
Gravity-

The Boxer Rebellion

First post of 2009. Sorry I've been out of the loop for so long. Between the holidays and work (and the fact that there really haven't been any bands that are getting me excited lately.) But the drought ends with The Boxer Rebellion. Their 2nd album Union, hits iTunes next week. From London, The Boxer Rebellion are relatively unknown over here, but I suspect that won't last long. They play a style of music that isn't particualarly new but the way they do it makes all the difference. NME recently said that this band will alter your life. I don't know about that, but they are pretty dang good.

The song that really got me into them was Evacuate. It starts off with a trance like guitar riff and builds to a melodic urgency. I would say that these guys sound like a grittier Muse. The lead singer has a great voice;he puts so much passion into every line. The Boxer Rebellion are on the verge of something, I guarantee.

The Boxer Rebellion- Myspace
Evacaute-