Love & Theft

When I work at the radio station, I can only listen to country music. So when this group came across my playlist, they already had a strike against them. But Love & Theft know no boundaries when it comes to music. Their music is every bit as rock as it is country. They have a little twang in their voice but what can you expect from 3 guys from Nashville. Now they may not be new to anyone knee deep in the country music scene, but to those not, Love & Theft are quite the band.

Their album World Wide Open comes out on August 25th. Their first single Runaway is a catchy song about leaving town with crisp melodies awash in acoustic guitars and pounding drums. It opens up with a great vocal delivery backed by soft guitars before it explodes in the chorus. I've been playing this song every chance I get. Their second single Don't Wake Me has already been an iTunes Free Single of the Week, but in my mind it's not their best. While Love & Theft definitely have their harmonies down pat, they can come off a little over-produced. But a worthy dig nevertheless.

Love & Theft- Myspace
Runaway-

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

I've been on a bit of soul rock kick lately. Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights continue my love affair of of this sub-genre. From Dallas, Texas, their music is roughed-up, dirty, and just plain rocking. Tyler is heavily influenced by the '60s rock scene, from their musical tastes, right down to their hippie rocker look.

Their debut album Hot Trottin' came out a few years ago and is filled with Southern soul rock. Gypsy Woman is the lead off track and is the best they have to offer. It begins with nothing more than Tyler singing his heart out over a few hand claps with distant telephone line effect. It's a real scorcher of a song and grabs you by the throat with its heavy beats and crunching guitar riffs. Time For Love finds the guys bringing piano to the mix with a slower tempo. This group brings back an organic sound that is almost all gone in today's music scene.

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights- Myspace
Strangers-


*Check out their Myspace for Gypsy Woman, but this gives you an idea.

Beautiful Small Machines

Digging For Days Reviews...
Robots in Love EP by Beautiful Small Machines

The perfectly titled EP should give you a hint about what to expect from this electronica duo. I know, I know, electronica? But wait until you hear it . I was pleasantly surprised that it's not all club-thumping electronic music. There is actual heart and emotion in these songs. Beautiful Small Machines is in fact Bree Sharp and Don DiLego, longtime collaborators who just wanted to start something fresh and new.

A mix of pop hooks with a space-age rock feel. It sounds like, well, robots in love. And the title track is one of the to be heard. It starts off with a cool synth beat with Bree singing in a a matter-of-fact delivery about a boyfriend's lack of commitment. (When he said I love you girl it should have come with a warning) Guitars swoop in for the latter part of the song to deliver a change of pace.

So Long 2 U is an airy ode to saying goodbye. It is one of those rare songs that mix electronica with emotion. It really is the heart of the album. Bree has never sounded so crisp and melodic. Beautiful Small Machines though can drift a little too far into their experimental roots. Album closer Servo Manual Chapter 1 is a vocoder-laden misstep. While Superconducter is a cheerleader style chant that is repetitive and basically goes nowhere. But Beautiful Small Machines overcome those with that rare feat of mixing electronica with pop hooks. B

Beautiful Small Machines- Myspace
Robots in Love-

Download This- Robots In Love

The Heavy

I'm ba-aack! Sorry for the absence but had to get away for a bit. DFD should be getting back to normal. My inbox is so full it's going to take some time to sift through it all. I'll be getting the best of what I've dug up shortly. Until then, dig this.

Practically oozing with sex, heat, and blues, The Heavy provide a healthy dose of jazz influenced rock. Hailing from the UK, the appropriately titled, The Heavy are loaded down with funky horns, crunchy guitars and dirty as hell. After listening to the song Sixteen, you'll need to shower because it will leave you in a cold sweat. Sampling from Screamin Jay Hawkins' hit I Put A Spell On You, finds Sixteen as a perfect blend of blues, rock, and jazz about Satan and his young bride.

Lead singer Kelvin Swaby has a set of pipes that can hit the high notes one minute and growl with a rocker's edge the next. Their album The House That Dirt Built is brimming with soul rock to spare. How You Like Me Now? channels James Brown with its crashing drums and swagger. While Oh No! Not You Again is a fast paced, punk fueled torrent of a song. The Heavy are mixing genres like it's going out of style which actually might make it all the rage.

The Heavy- Myspace
Sixteen-

Between The Trees

Between The Trees hasn't had an easy go at it. After replacing two former members and splitting with their record label after their debut, it's been quite a rough patch. But with a new record coming out August 11th entitled Spain, Between The Trees are ready for their big break.

With an indie pop/rock sound and songs with strong hooks, lead singer Ryan Kirkland leads the band into melodious territories. Their first big hit White Lines and Red Lights is a soaring, epic track about love. ('Cause you are the brightest star and I'm in love with who you are) Their first single off the new album is called We Can Try and once again it is a "big theme" song. Kirkland sings about making mistakes, having regrets, and starting anew. (I know things aren't quite like what they used to be/We can try). It's explosive chorus and searing guitars makes this a perfect breakup get back together song.

Between The Trees- Myspace
We Can Try-

The Stellas

There I was flipping through the channels the other day and stopped on CMT. I know, why? Well, there was a duo singing that immediately caught my attention. Apparently, the show Can You Duet is the country duo version of American Idol. The duo that made me stop is called The Stellas. They are a Canadian duo consisting of Marylynne and Brad Stella. Individually they have excellent voices worthy of a solo go- but together they are magic.

Marylynne's voice is smoky and piercing, while Brad has a strong, smooth tone. The strongest song The Game, is what they auditioned with and it's a fast-paced country tinged toe tapper. Fond of You is a coy little flirt of song with a strong hook. The Stellas' vocal dynamic is what drives each and every song. Whether or not they win the Can You Duet competition, The Stellas will have a future. A bit different for DFD, but I think you'll dig.

*Marylynne stopped by Digging For Days and left a comment, in the comments section. You should too!

The Stellas- Myspace
Fond Of You-

The Whigs

Things have been pretty slow around these parts lately. Posts have been a little slack partly due to the fact that I've just not really been excited about a ton of bands lately, and partly because it's summer and I'm out and about a lot. With that said, I decided to dig a little into my own personal iTunes for some dustier finds. During my time at The University of Georgia in Athens, I got wind of a lot of native bands. The Whigs are one of many that actually have the goods.

Their album Mission Control came out early last year amid a ton of positive buzz. They craft tightly wound rollicking songs and aren't afraid to find that pop hook. Lead singer Parker Gispert has an urgent voice that makes every song listenable. Their best track off the album is I Got Ideas a powerful, horn-ridden song with a great beat for hand claps. The verses start off with beat driven guitars before giving way to a rush in the chorus. The Whigs may not be the newest band around these parts but hey, if you've never of them, they're new to you.

The Whigs-Myspace
I Got Ideas-

The Modern Electric

This is the find of the month.(Thank you Citizen Dick) Cleveland based "cinematic pop" group The Modern Electric, have so completely wrapped me up in their insanely catchy hooks, killer vocal delivery and just an all around intriguing sound. Let's see if I can put it in words. They sight David Bowie as their main influence and they even have a song named after him. Lead singer Garrett Komyati has a voice that is melodic, soulful, and electric.

Their self-titled debut album is filled to the brim with song after song of rocking soul with an indie edge. The track Mistakes is a low key, melodic affair about giving your all to someone but it's just never enough. A repeat of the question What am I doing wrong girl? serves as the chorus that really drives the point across. As Sharp As Knives is a building, brooding track with a haunting echoes and lone piano keys. While Ghost is downright creepy with its clever take on obsession (I promise I will haunt you when I die/What kills me the most/You're not even a ghost) The Modern Electric are the next thing. Guaranteed.

The Modern Electric- Myspace
Mistakes (Live)-

A.A. Bondy

First off, this one is a long time coming. Not so much new to those who scour music blogs, but A.A. Bondy is still buried in the music scene. His style of Americana folk-rock isn't exactly radio ready. But Bondy's voice and songwriting abilities were the selling point for me. I first heard of him with his debut album American Hearts and his heartbreak of a song There's A Reason. Bondy's voice is weather worn and has one of those tones that is all at once intriguing and haunting.

Now Double A has a new album coming out September 1st called When The Devil's Loose. On this album Bondy is backed by a full band for a much richer sound. The title track is a bluesy fiddle filled, mid- tempo number that finds Bondy singing about a woman who apparently lives too cautiously (Oh the living and dying/ how easily you bruise). Bondy's casual vocal style paints a scene in every song. If you haven't already, get on board this bandwagon.

A.A. Bondy- Myspace
There's A Reason (Live)-

Download This- When The Devil's Loose

Mutemath

Mutemath have spent the past 3 years since the release of their debut album toiling away for their new release Armistice. They've released a few songs for soundtracks and an EP to tide us over, but now it's time for the main course. They had a minor hit with their single Typical, but since then haven't really registered. I have a feeling that may all change.

Mutemath have been labeled in the same sentence as Switchfoot- Christian rock acts that have major crossover appeal. Armistice is schedule to drop on August 18th, and the first single The Nerve is ready for your listening pleasure. Upon first listening to it, I had high expectations. A steady barrage of drums kick off an barn burner (literally) with lines that call out the sometimes backwards thinking that goes on. (I can't believe this world is yelling out in the dark that it wants to be left alone/Set it on fire) The lack of a strong melody has me concerned but this song might need a few spins to grow. But all in all, Mutemath deserve to be applauded for bringing some substance to rock music.

Mutemath-Myspace
The Nerve-

Jessica Andrews

So updates have been a little slow because I've been moonlighting as a country music DJ. (No really) And in my raking over songs and songs I came across one from a girl who has been heaped into the one hit wonder bin far too prematurely. Jessica Andrews is a country singer but not a honky-tonk princess. In fact, her voice isn't really all that country. Especially now. Jessica hit it big with her hit single Who I Am at age 17. A dissolved record label and many unnoticed singles later, and Jessica is finally putting out a new album later this year.

The track Everything is off this untitled album and it is a heart-felt doozy. Jessica has never sounded so good. Her voice cracks with emotion and has matured into a fine instrument. I always thought she had a fine voice, but as she pushes to hit those notes I am blown away. Country music isn't my favorite thing ever, but every now and then you can't knock songs that just stick with you. Give it a spin. I think you will like it.

Jessica Andrews- Myspace
Everything-

Jones Street Station

It at first you don't succeed... Jones Street Station released their debut album Overcome 2 years ago but don't feel as though it represents them all that well. Enter their true debut album In Verses out this August. Their second "debut" finds the boys from Brooklyn, by way of the midwest, with a new drummer and four, count 'em four lead vocalists. The band is a lo-fi alt-country group with each member more than strong enough to front a band on their own.

One of the strongest tracks is Tall Buildings, a melancholy goodbye to the country life for the big bustling city. (It's goodbye to the sunshine/ Goodbye to the dew/ Goodbye to you/ I'm off to the subway/ Going to work in tall buildings) Harmonicas, mandolin, piano, four-part harmonies fill the songs of Jones Street Station. Their alt-country laid back nature is a refreshing breeze for those lazy firefly filled summer nights.

Jones Street Station-Myspace
Tall Buildings (Live)-