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-

Powderfinger

File this under "Big In Australia." Powderfinger formed in 1989! But I have never heard one of their songs until I heard it playing in band breaker, Grey's Anatomy. Their sound is very melodic with Train type quality, but way better. They are on their sixth album, Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, and it has a few great tracks. Among the better ones to check out is the song featured in Grey's called Drifting Further Away. It's sparse arrangements during the verses allows you to really hear what lead singer Bernard Fanning is saying; Don't shut me out/don't hold it all in/you're drifting further away.

Another great track to hear is Nobody Sees. Powderfinger may not be the newest band, but upon discovering them you will wonder why. They have a definite soft side but with catchy melodies and a rock edge.

Powderfinger- Myspace
Drifting Further Away-

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-

Seabird

Ok, I'm not ashamed to admit it. Sometimes, I get introduced to new bands through Grey's Anatomy. They have pretty good taste in music. (And I am kind of caught up in the story too.) One particular song caught my attention during a very dramatic scene in the operating room. It was Falling For You by Seabird. Sea, who? Seabird. Yeah, not a very great name for a band but don't let that fool you because this is one of the best finds in long time.

Their album, 'Til We See the Shore, dropped back in June to not much fanfare or attention. I just have to ask, why not? These guys know how to rope you in with catchy little ditties like Maggie Mahoney, which is so bouncy and jangly that you'll get whiplash. Their songs are all about love, hope, and believing in something bigger than themselves. (Yes, they are a band of Christians- not a Christian band).

Seabird can best be described as piano driven rock with influences from The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, and a little Ben Folds. They prove on their major label record, that you don't have to sing about pain, heartbreak, and sadness to really make someone feel you. The positive outlook of Seabird is contageous and so are the songs.

Seabird-Myspace
Maggie Mahoney-