Morning Runner

Wouldn't you know it? I find a band that's right up my alley only to discover they're broken up. But you know what? I don't care. Their music will be their legacy and still deserves to be heard. Morning Runner had their shining moment with the release of their debut album Wilderness Is Paradise Now 3 years ago. Back then they apparently contributed a theme song to a British sitcom and had many songs fe atured in commercials. Their break up was due to "pressures from the label" to make a more commercial follow-up.

Probably Morning Runner is best known for their song Gone Up In Flames, which is a barn-burner for sure. With catchy guitar hooks, church organs, and bouncing verses, lead singer Matthew Greener gives away the farm completely exploding on the mic. Another great track to check out is Burning Benches; a yearning piano ballad. All of this, of course, just makes it worse because the realization sets in that there will be no more music from these guys.

Morning Runner- Myspace
Gone Up In Flames-

All Get Out

Taking their name from the Southern saying "Loud as all get out," South Carolina has grown a mighty fine indie rock band. The first taste I got of All Get Out was their ultra catchy song Water & God, which finds the band hooking you from the first four seconds into the song. And then deriving the point home in the very hummable chorus. They remind me of The Format, with the vocal delivery of lead singer Nathan Hussey. Coming off playing SXSW, All Get Out are about to become the next buzz band.

Their self-titled EP came out late last year so it's waiting on you to pick a copy. Another great track to check out is The E.C. with loud, crunchy guitars that lead into an equally loud chorus. You can also hear very meaningful lyrics in many of their songs. It's fitting because Hussey describes the band as loud and personal.



All Get Out- Myspace
Water & God-

Sam Roberts

Is it a band or a person? True, the lead singer's name is Sam Roberts and the band is called Sam Roberts as well. It's kind of like Daughtry or Bon Jovi. The name, not the sound. Anyway... Sam Roberts is wildly popular in Canada but not here; at least not yet. They have released a couple of albums with their latest, Love At The End Of The World, hitting stores in February.

Sam Roberts has a down-home indie rock vibe. Their hooks are catchy and the delivery is reminiscent of The Strokes through a southern rock filter. But strangely enough they never venture into country territory. (Thankfully.) Their best song is Them Kids, a rolling ode to the state of the current rock music scene. Roberts delivers swift lines such as: Them kids don't know how to dance to rock and roll, with the confidence of someone who does. Another track to get your hands on is Detroit '67 which incorporates a pounding saloon piano line throughout. This album may be one to put Sam Roberts, the man and the band, on the US radar.

Sam Roberts- Myspace
Them Kids-

Greg Laswell

Greg Laswell already has had many of his songs featured in various TV shows. His song Sweet Dreams was just featured in FOX's Dollhouse. But it's no wonder every TV show uses his music because his songs are incredibly heart felt and simple. No showy production, just a simple piano, acoustic guitar, and maybe a few strings. Laswell's voice carries much of the song with great melodies. It has an inherently sad quality to it that makes it the perfect soundtrack to your next wallow session. But this guy isn't new to the music scene. In fact, he is on his third album. His latest Three Flights From Alto Nido came out last year. It features great songs like Comes and Goes (In Waves), from the HBO movie Taking Chance, and my favorite I'd Be Lying.

His music relies on simple melodies mixed with a David Gray-esque quality with a dash of Coldplay. You will have to hear for yourself. Laswell deserves to be more than "that guy with the song in that show." His song Off I Go was recently featured prominently in the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. Make sure you listen to his excellent cover of Girls Just Want to Have Fun below.

Greg Laswell- Myspace
Girls Just Want to Have Fun-

Adam Heldring

Adam Heldring has an interesting story. Selling what little he owned for an acoustic guitar and a one way ticket to NYC, Heldring decided to follow his dream of making music. While he had a little success in his native Sweden, he wanted to get his music heard in the States. So not knowing a soul he recorded some demos and played his songs to any who would listen. That was a year ago, and now he has recorded his debut album Metro.

Heldring is a singer/songwriter with a great voice and mellow melodies. Currently playing SXSW, he sings of familiar themes with great honesty. His new single Ok Goodbye is a peppy guitar and piano driven song with a punchy chorus. Come Home is a simple song about following your dreams but realizing that you left many loved ones back home. Adam Heldring has a unique voice that could fit in nicely with today's singer/songwriters. Check him out live below.

Adam Heldring- Myspace
Come Home (Live)-
Adam Heldring - "Come Home" - Live in Stockholm

Honor Society

A bit of a departure into pop territory with this one, but keep reading because Honor Society aren't just your run of the mill sugary pop band. They have some of the most catchy, meticulously crafted songs I've heard in a long time. They remind me of The Cab with slick vocal harmonies having a modern edge with 80s undertones. (any group that sings about wondering what a girl's looking at on her mac are definitely a 21st century band) They are on tour with Jonas Brothers but let's not hold that against them, shall we?

Their EP, A Tale of Risky Business, spins tales of young love and regrets. Why Didn't I? tells of not getting the nerve up to tell someone how you really you feel, (It should be me and you together walking in the rain). It's the strongest track with a big beat verse that explodes into a driving chorus of guitar melodies and excellent harmonies. Honor Society shouldn't be exiled because they make great pop music. There is a place for undeniably catchy hooks with mainstream appeal and Honor Society delivers in both.

Honor Society- Myspace
Why Didn't I-

The London

Hailing from Pittsburgh(?), The London is a band with an epic quality to them. Lead singer Dusty Ray has a deeper voice that kind of reminds me of a more melodic Depeche Mode. Their new EP Young and In Love just came out and has a big sound to it. With blaring guitars, martial drums, and catchy hooks, The London, as their name suggests, has a very Britpop sound. But Ray says their influence from the British music scene doesn't land on any particular band but rather the way British music revolutionalized the scene.

The London have anthemic songs. Their first single, Content, begins with military drums before crashing into melodic chorus which finds Dusty reaching for the high notes. The song Young and In Love is pulsing with guitars and flowing with synths; a definite highlight on the record. The harmonica laden Twenty One tells of the feelings one has when you reach that milestone (Lord give me a hand, I'm 21). A very good band that aims to write songs with all their heart and guts.

The London- Myspace
Twenty One (Acoustic)-

Birds of Tokyo

Australia just keeps on feeding me great music. Let's add another one shall we? Birds of Tokyo formed 5 years ago from well-known Australian bands Karnivool and Tragic Delicate (umm, ok.) They released a couple of EPs and two full lengths in a few short years and all without being signed to a major label. Birds of Tokyo remind me a lot of the band Tonic with soaring vocal melodies, which I think makes or break a band. They have strong guitar driven songs with great hooks to wrap your ears around.

Their latest release, Universes, finds the band really figuring out who they are. They have delivered some of their strongest songs yet. Among them are Broken Bones and Wild Eyed Boy. The latter is urgent, soaring track about the constant feeling of not being satisfied. (Wild eyed boy you're heart won't settle/ How much can you take?) The band really shines on the rocking, tempo changing White Witch. Lead singer Ian Kenny mixes up his vocal delivery to hit the power notes when he needs to. Another killer track is the ultra catchy Head in My Hands, it will have you humming the hook for days on end. Birds of Tokyo is a throw back to '90s rock and is refreshing to hear that there are some bands who still believe is making solid melodic rock.

Birds of Tokyo- Myspace
Wild Eyed Boy-

Anarbor

With a name like Anarbor, one might think that the band hails from Michigan. Well, one would be wrong. Anarbor is 4 guys from Phoenix, Arizona. But their music is very much California sunny rock/pop. They released a couple of EPs last year to little success. But their lack of sales doesn't translate into lack of quality. Their new EP Free Your Mind, comes out on Tuesday and it is filled with one catchy song after another.

The Brightest Green is a bouncy, choppy, guitar-driven song with chorus that is reminescent of Fall Out Boy. Lead singer Slade Echeverria can hit the high notes when he needs to but thankfully doesn't stay in that range. Often these punk/emo bands can get a little whiny. Another high point is Passion for Publication. It blends lyrics about a relationship going south (We've been falling apart/built to crumble from the start) with a sunny hook.

Anarbor will no doubtedly get slapped with the "another emo band" label, but they don't deserve it. They're much better than that. Anarbor has the goods and delivers with interesting songs that don't fall into the "whiny white boy" mold which is where a lot of bands get lumped.

Anarbor- Myspace
Passion For Publication-