My Favorite Highway

Sometimes all it takes is determination and a batch of catchy songs. Fairfax, Virginia's My Favorite Highway know what it's like to toil away and not see much for your work. The band almost called it quits after a concert in which only a handful of people showed up and the club couldn't afford to pay them. But they turned their frustrations into a batch of tuneful songs which led to their being signed by Virgin. Soon after their debut album How To Call A Bluff was born.

My Favorite Highway land somewhere in The Fray territory, with their piano driven melodies but have a harder edge. Simple Life is an upbeat song about breaking free of your daily routine. While Getaway Car is a soaring rocker with about finding your purpose in life.(When all you hold in your heart slips away/You have to choose/ Fall behind, make a change, or change your mind) A lot of the songs are about finding your way in life when things don't go as planned. (Hitting a little too close for me right now) Now don't misunderstand, these guys are pure radio-ready pop/rock but their songs are catchy and harmless. A perfect fit for those aimless upcoming summer months.

My Favorite Highway- Myspace
Simple Life-

Romantica

Who would have thought a European could make Americana seem so effortless? (Thanks to Heather for the tip) Lead singer Ben Kyle from Minnesota by way of Belfast, has a Ryan Adams vibe going on. (And it doesn't hurt that he guested on their track The Dark.) Kyle's voice has such a rugged, yet hushed quality to it bringing sincerity to every song. Their sophomore album America was released in 2007 and is filled with down-home, rusty gems. It's perfect to put on the car radio and drive with the windows down on a cool summer evening.

The National Side is a mid-tempo toe tapper about growing up, with excellent lines such as Daddy was a preacher in a ship-building town/ Mama cooked the meals and wore a crown because of it/Dropped the dreams in the cradle and crib/Gave 'em all to Jesus that's what she did. One of the best Romantica has to offer is off of their debut album It's Your Weakness That I Want. The song On My Mind has Kyle pushing his vocals to their brink. We Americans are getting schooled by Romantica with their excellent grasp on folk/pop-rock.

Romantica- Myspace
The National Side-

Romantica - The National Side from Ryan Newman on Vimeo.

Fitz & The Tantrums

I guess everything old is new again. Fitz & The Tantrums take a page from the Mark Ronson songbook and mix it up old school. Layering many songs with horns, organs, and '60s girl-group soul, Fitz & Co. more than earn their keep. From LA by way of France, Fitz has a throwback vibe with a modern twist, with influences of AM pop radio, Motown, and early Hall & Oates.

Their debut album Songs For A Break-Up Vol. 1, is filled with numerous grand-sounding songs with sweeping choruses and catchy hooks. Breakin' The Chains Of Love is a horn-riddled, tambourine fueled number that will definitely make you get up and dance. The slow-burning We Don't Need Love Songs is a sexy Commodores-esque track with with a vocal delivery drenched in desire. Fitz & The Tantrums is a refreshing nod to old school danceable pop.

Fitz & The Tantrums- Myspace
Breakin' The Chains of Love-

Download This-

fun.

Appropriately named band fun. is an indie powerpop band formed out of the ashes of other indie powerpop bands among them being The Format. Lead singer of The Format Nate Ruess takes over vocal duties for fun. and brings with him the same sensibility he had in his former band. Fun.'s debut album Aim & Ignite isn't scheduled to hit stores until late this summer but they've already given us a taste of what is to come with their first single, At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be).

When I first heard that The Format was splitting up, I was a little bit heartbroken but after hearing fun.'s music, I can honestly say that the spirit of The Format lives on. Their first single starts out lullaby simple before the army drums kick in. Nate possibly sings about leaving the band behind with lines like Youth's taken over by rock and roll, so I left, that's it. The hook in this song will sting your ears with it sugary sweet childhood taunts.

fun.- Myspace
At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)-


Download This- At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)

Jer Coons

There I was looking around in Hollister, trying to find some clothes. I waved off the annoying helpers, squinted in the low light, and banged my broomstick on the ceiling to tell those crazy kids to turn down the loud music. (Yep, I carry around just a broomstick) But just as I was about to shuffle out at 4:00 to eat supper, this song came across the speakers. It made my size too small heart grow and actually made me stay in the store until it was over.

At first I thought Jason Mraz had a new song out, but after some searching I found that he doesn't. Jer Coons (what a name!) could definitely be Mr. Mraz's voice twin. But where they differ is that Coons has a... ok they don't differ. Both sing laid back summery songs. Both have a soothing tone to their voice. I heard the song Legs in the store, which is a warm acoustic ode to losing the one you love to someone else. Another highlight is the catchy Secrets, which just has one of those great melodies. Jer Coons is not Jason Mraz but if doesn't get the credit he deserves it might be because radio already has their Mraz.

Jer Coons- Myspace

Legs-

The Americans

OK, so I really haven't been inspired by anything lately until I got an email delivered from the heavens. (Thanks Samantha) The Americans, though vaguely named, know exactly the type of music they want to make. The combination of styles will make your head hurt, but damn if they don't perfectly mesh. The Americans, lead by Charlie Klarsfeld, are a bit RnB, a bit old school doo-wop, a bit indie pop, and whole lotta awesome. Their songs are filled with hooks from start to finish. They're one of those bands that you know you're going to love 30 seconds into.

December Blues starts with a catchy saloon piano, horns, and a lush background of ooohs and ahhhs. The song has so many layers that work so well together. It suddenly takes a turn in the middle when all the instruments take a break for some vocals and hand claps. And One Night Stand is a danceable ditty with its bouncy piano. Honestly The Americans are a complex band with outstanding melodies and multi-layered talent. Their self-titled EP is on iTunes. Grab it and let's build the buzz.

The Americans- Myspace
Wishing Well (Acoustic)-

Download This-December Blues

Andy Shauf

Digging For Days Reviews...
Darker Days by Andy Shauf

Everyone likes to sing in the shower, in the car, in your room, when no one can hear you. We are all excellent in our own minds. And the ones who truly think they are (but aren't) go on American Idol and are given a dose of harsh reality. Andy Shauf was one of those people except he actually CAN sing. He hid his songwriting skills from his friends, recording many songs in private and not sharing them until he felt he was ready to share.

Glad he finally got to share. What resulted in Andy's years of songwriting and demo recording is Darker Days- an aptly titled album full of sparse acoustic, folk-pop. Shauf wears his heart on his sleeve for much of the album, searching for love on the bouncy, upbeat opener Your Heart. He doesn't deliver another optimistic number until the middle of the album on The Greatest Moments, one of the best on Days.

Shauf's voice is simple and melodic, carrying an inherent sadness, but at times cannot deliver the strength the songs sometimes require. He must have be going through some really dark times because much of the album is a somber affair. The heart wrenching Were You In Love With Me tells of a love going unnoticed by another. Shauf sings over a yearning guitar line, Were you in love with me when we were on the couch?/ In between everyday what were your dreams about? The song practically bleeds at the end with Shauf wondering does she still love me?

But not everything connects quite as well. Darker Days is saddled by a sameness through its 11 songs. Yes, there are some great tunes to be discovered, but very little is done to shake up the monotony. It sounds great the first few songs but the hooks aren't strong enough to sustain an album's worth of downers. Darker Days shows Andy Shauf in one light, now if only he could lighten up. C+

Andy Shauf- Myspace
Your Heart (Live)-

Parachute

Parachute is quintet of guys from Charlotte, NC. You've maybe heard their song She Is Love in commercials. They just released their debut album Losing Sleep AND have their first single, Under Control, as the iTunes Free Single of the Week. So all in all, a pretty good week. But are they any good? Well that depends if you like your pop mixed with rock, vocal melodies, and a dash of soul. The lead singer sounds like a mix of The Click Five and The Cab- both good bands in their own right. Although sometimes, the lyrics can become a little too sugary sweet. But hey, they aren't pretending to be anything they're not.

Under Control is all bouncy piano and blue-eyed soul. Back Again is more of a rocker with a killer melody and a little more edge than the rest. Parachute are a pop band delivering catchy songs just in time for summer.

Parachute- Myspace
Back Again (Live)-

Magic Kids

Who do these 'Kids' think they are? Not only did they create possibly the catchiest song this side of the Mississippi, but they make no apologies for it. Memphis' own, Magic Kids, sound like they should be a PBS kids show on Saturday morning, but alas they are a rock band with quite the buzz. But shockingly there is little known on the blogosphere about them, other than they have a record coming out sometime this year.

Their sound on the other hand... Think of Beach Boys harmonies mixed with '50s girl group wall of sound. And they do all that while still being completely modern. Now granted the only song available is Hey Boy- a peppy throwback complete with 4 part harmonies about fidelity. Magic Kids have sold me on their vibe and I can only hope that the rest of their music lives up to the excellence I've heard so far.

Magic Kids- Myspace
Hey Boy-

Elizabeth & The Catapult

Elizabeth and The Catapult thrive on quirky pop melodies with whimsical lyrics. The "Elizabeth" in the group, Elizabeth Ziman, takes the lead with a mixture of Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor-esque vocals. The "Catapult" are Pete Lalish and Danny Molad. Together, the band creates songs that bounce and weave and wrap around your ears.

The group formed in 2004 and quickly put out a self-financed EP. They performed in local bars and formed quite a following. Not long after they got signed to a record label. Now, 5 years later they are releasing Taller Children. Much of the album was produced by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley), but many of the songs come from the homespun demos the band cut in their drummer's studio. Elizabeth & The Catapult offer the indie pop scene a dose of heartfelt lyrics wrapped up in tight bouncy piano melodies.

Check them out on NPR.

Elizabeth & The Catapult- Myspace
Taller Children-
Elizabeth & The Catapult :: TALLER CHILDREN

Ezra Furman & The Harpoons

Rough around the edges would be a great way to pinpoint the style of Ezra Furman & The Harpoons. The three-piece rock band started up in 2006 and has out 2 full length albums. The first, Beat Beat Beat, was self-released after being recorded in college dorms at Tufts University. A year later they put out an official album with a record company called Banging Down the Doors.

Ezra Furman writes heartfelt songs with great hooks. His delivery in singing the songs is unique. Their are touches of Bob Dylan and a dash of The Strokes lo-fi-ness. Take Off Your Sunglasses is a great song to start with. It's a fast-paced, harmonica-fueled ode to taking down your guard. It's a great song that finds Furman rattling off lyrics to keep up with music. Somehow it all weirdly fits. They are currently working on a new album due in September. Ezra Furman & The Harpoons are a unique voice in the indie rock world making a little off kilter music.

Ezra Furman & The Harpoons- Myspace
Take Off Your Sunglasses-