Lawrence Trailer

Sometimes I'm in the mood for an "everything and the kitchen sink" type of production and other times, simple is best. Lawrence Trailer is the latter. Armed with an acoustic guitar and intricate melodies, Trailer is a seasoned singer-songwriter that should be on your radar. 

"Savannah" is particularly strong track (especially for this Georgia-raised guy). Trailer sings about giving up and heading to this "Georgian town" but decides to give love another final shot, "We brace for the bottom, while we face being alone." The vocals on this song are Trailer's strength, singing every note in a beautifully raw, heart-wrenching tone. 

It's on his new single, "Old Love" where he hits me in the feels however. Trailer shifts the tempo a little on this track and ratchets up the emotional heft. He wishes his about to be married sister and his brother (with whom very little is spoken but much is said) "old love." It's a very sweet sentiment especially since my baby sister is getting married later this year. Trailer does a fine job mining life's smallest moments and turning them into heartfelt journeys. 

Old Love-


Savannah-

Jesse Thomas

Jesse Thomas does not fit into today's pop music scene and that is a shame. Her brand of singer/songwriter tunes deserves a spotlight that lesser talented acts receive. Jesse's voice has a Stevie Knicks quality with sharp lyrics to boot. Her sophomore album Burn the Boats is a triumph in the smaller moments. 

She fills her album with introspection on relationships like on the heartbreaking "Beverly," where she sings about a break-up that should happen but can't quite pull the trigger. (I can't do this again turning lovers into friends I should know so much better by now)

The bouncy piano-driven "Leather Jacket" finds Jesse fending off a guy that is trying way too hard to impress, but she's smitten anyway singing, "I should have seen it coming like a freight train running down the tracks like a bullet screaming out like a warning." On the chugging "Stunner" which seems like a response to the guy in the aforementioned song, Jesse wraps tons of imagery in a blues soaked stomp. 

Jesse's voice is the star here with a quality that immediately pulls the listener in and demands that we hang on to every word. A talented artist that is definitely worthy of your attention. 

Jesse Thomas- Facebook
Stunner-

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-