Christian TV

Thanks to Crazed Hits for finally getting me to listen to Christian TV. I'd seen this name floating around on the Internet for a while now and just never really wanted to listen to it. (Partly due to the name) But boy I will never judge an artist by their name again. (Well not right away.)

Christian TV is the next big thing in pop music. His single When She Turns 18, may sound inappropriate but it is one of the freshest, catchiest things to come around in quite a while. Borrowing from Timberlake's swagger and throwing in a bit of electronica/rock, Christian TV really knows how to make a splash in the music world. He is currently working on his debut album and if this is the taste of what is to come, then expect a lot out of this guy. Hooky, energetic, and perfect with its summer time care-free feel.


Warning: The video will melt your computer screen and is definitely not appropriate for young 'uns.


Christian TV- Myspace
When She Turns 18-

Good Old War

Leaning a bit to the alt-country side, Good Old War has been one of those bands that I have heard of before but never really say down and gave them a chance. Too bad I did that because now I know what I've been missing. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Good Old War consists of three guys who play down home and left of center country tinged music. Lead singer Keith Goodwin possesses a simple voice that perfectly suits the atmosphere they create.

They just released their self-titled sophomore album and after listening to it, it is a laid back summer-y affair. With tracks like the heartbreaking My Own Sinking Ship about a relationship that felt so right but just didn't work out. (It's the last time we'll fall in love) But they really shine on I Should Go/Thinking of You. It begins with a three part harmony intro before getting into a sweet acoustic, almost Jack Johnson type guitar strum. The song is often sung as a group and the guys know who to blend their vocals perfectly. Both musically and lyrically this song is steps above anything else on the album. The song conveys the strong feeling of wanting and knowing what you can't have. Goodwin sings I can only think of one reason why I should go/I'll see you tomorrow/I'll go back home and think of you.

Good Old War perfectly encompasses that space of down home, laid back, heart on your sleeve music that really wants to speak to the listener. And it only gets better with each listen.

Good Old War- Myspace
I Should Go-

Good Old War "I Should Go/Thinking of You" Glassroom Session

Good Old War | MySpace Music Videos

Ohio Avenue

It says it right on their website- "We're not from Ohio." OK? Now that that is taken care of, Ohio Avenue is the street lead singer Derek Williams grew up on in Indiana. Formed back in 2005, Ohio Avenue kind of falls into that Switchfoot category. You know the "Christian" band with "Christian" overtones. Some of y'all stopped reading right there. Christian bands can get a bad rap. Ohio Avenue, thankfully, don't beat you over the head with their lyrics. They fill their songs with meaning wrapped around a radio ready hook.

Their debut album The Sound is a solid pop/rock effort that boasts rollicking tracks such as Liar Liar and Running Away. Liar has a start/stop guitar lick and a chorus that will eat at your brain for a bit. With lines like, We look the other way and fall in love with the lies we create, it's safe to say that Ohio Avenue is aiming to say something about the society we live in. The Cure is a bit experimental with an echo effect that keeps the song fresh and interesting. Every song is hook laden and perfect for those who like solid pop/rock with substance.

Ohio Avenue-Myspace
Liar, Liar-

The Tails

I get sent a lot of music to be featured here on Digging. I sift through them all and only bring you (what I think is) the best. A lot of bands don't really make the cut but The Tails definitely did. I was surprised to tell you the truth because I've been going through a musical drought. The Tails consist of cousins Craig and Mike Chambers from Long Beach and their music has that California easiness to it. Reminiscent of the Beach Boys with harmonies full of sunshine The Tails provide a much needed jolt of laid back-ness.

Surely is a bouncy number with toy piano and acoustic guitar. It's lightness in its music, though, is a contrast with the lyrics about giving someone space even when it's killing you. (Now I sit on my hands and I'm playing your game/I force myself not to call while you get it all straight.) Check out Science Camp as well, it's a tale of young loves (Where were you when I was through with her? Didn't you know baby that was your turn?) It's one of their catchiest. The Tails are allowing you to download their record for free off of their Myspace page. They may be unheard of now, but once you crank up their songs while soaking up the sun you'll be glad that you dug 'em.

The Tails- Myspace

Erik Hassle

Who knew VH1 would provide me with some great music. Well they play music in the early morning and there I was suffering through those same old videos they play all the freaking time and then Erik Hassle's video for Hurtful came on. I've never heard of Mr. Hassle before and was blown away by his tone, and his song. Upon further research Hassle, who hails from Sweden, released his debut album Pieces back in February. It's filled with pop fueled rock with a hint of electronica and may not be for the indie crowd.

On Hurtful, Hassle creates an atmospheric quality with loud drums and a quiet undertone of synths. It's a slow burner with a burst of a chorus. One of the best off of Pieces. Don't Bring Flowers is a guitar driven groove that really show off Hassle's knack for the unexpected. Where you expect the song to lift off it holds back. Erik's voice is what drives all of his songs though. He cuts through the music with his pure vocals. A bit of soul, a bit of pop, with a healthy dose of electronica all make for a great new find. Keep your ears open for this guy on the radio.


Erik Hassle- Myspace
Hurtful-

The Riverwinds

Whatever happened to the great Americana rock band? Jakob Dylan held onto the genre with The Wallflowers for a while, and now he's trying to keep it alive with a solo act. And helping him with that heavy torch is The Riverwinds. They somehow have infused their straightforward rock with a homespun quality that is very hard to get right. What The Riverwinds do is create a music landscape that encompasses great melodies, slick guitar licks, and hooks that pull you in closer.

Lead singer Bryan Wood, has a rugged country twang that elevates everything he sings. Let's Roll could've been just a secondhand affair about getting out of a small town. With Wood at the helm he sings his heart out where you actually believe him. I Want You to Know is filled with guitar hooks that from the first 30 seconds you know the song cannot disappoint. It doesn't both musically and lyrically. With lines like I'll think twice before I get myself into something that could be good, that tell of a former player with his heart set on change.

The Riverwinds are brimming with a modern Americana sound that would fit nicely into the dusk of a cool summer night. Good luck finding a physical copy of their full length LP though, digital copies are available through all the usual outlets. A must buy for any lover of a little alt-country with their rock.

The Riverwinds- Myspace
Let's Roll (acoustic)-

Jason Zerbin

Digging For Days Reviews...
Of Fools and Gold by Jason Zerbin

Attention all networks! Jason Zerbin wants to be the soundtrack to your TV show. Of Fools and Gold is the debut album from Jason Zerbin and his band and is filled to the brim with songs of love. It's as if Grey's Anatomy need not look any further to score a scene. Jason Zerbin follows in the Snow Patrol/Coldplay genre of music; strong, melancholy melodies, a smooth voiced lead singer. I Want You is a mid-tempo toe-tapper that builds to a yearning chorus. It's one of the strongest tracks only because it's a welcome change of pace. Album opener, Here on the Edge, has an urgent sense to it with it's choppy backbeat. The title track is another highlight is a slow burner about longing to be in love and how foolish it can seem. (We've been chasing love like a pot of gold)

But for all the great tracks their are those that don't quite get off the ground. Collide goes on without much of a melody and The Haunting just didn't come together for me. Of Fools and Gold is weighed down with too many down tempo songs that don't have much room to go anywhere. But when Zerbin is firing on all cylinders you completely believe everything he sings about. I only wish that the songs were as strong as his voice. The album has a bit of a split personality. The first half is as strong as ever, with the the last half feeling a little uneven. Of Fools and Gold is a solid album filled with potential. If only the title delivered more gold instead silver. B-

Jason Zerbin- Myspace

Alpha Rev

So February came and went with only one post. (I've been extremely busy.)Hopefully March will have more. And Alpha Rev will be kicking it off. Alpha Rev is from Austin and led by Casey McPherson (formerly of Endochine-the rock band with that one song from the Levi's commercial) Anyway, I came across Alpha Rev randomly on iTunes and after being featured on Melrose Place, they are poised for a breakout.

They may already be in the process of doing so. Their song Colder Months is the very definition of a slow burn. Led by piano and McPherson's powerful vocals it perfectly describes that feeling of loss and pain. These thoughts of pain, don't make a sound/They keep us hidden in the lost and found. They are set to release their album New Morning on April 20th. The title track off that album just became available and is another slow burner. Starting with a a choppy guitar line, it has a little more grit and showcases McPherson's excellent falsetto. I usually don't like guys singing high, but he switches beautifully back to his chest voice. (I did learn something from American Idol)

Be sure to check out this band as they are already on the verge.

Alpha Rev- Myspace
Colder Months(Live)-

The Hours

The Olympics are here! That's not why posting has been very light recently. (Blame my real paying job) I'm sitting watching the Olympics and a commercial comes on. I naturally get up and do something productive but there is a song that keeps me from leaving the room. It's a pounding, very inspirational tune, with a slight British leaning sound. I stick around for the whole thing, track it down, and here we are.

The band is called The Hours. The song is Ali in the Jungle. Ali being of the Muhammad variety. The commercial is the newest from Nike. I strongly you suggest you check out both the band and the commercial. They're both worth your time. From London, The Hours start out with a banging piano and some hand claps. It builds with lines like Everybody gets knocked down/How quick are you gonna get up? And as the music swells the guys really start getting the song off the ground. Paired with the commercial, it is chill worthy.

The Hours- Myspace
Ali in the Jungle-


Nike Commercial-

Mumford & Sons

I've had their debut, Sigh No More, for a little while now and was so enthralled with it that I forgot that I never formally posted about them on DFD. Well consider them posted.

Mumford & Sons is a folk/bluegrass/rock band that encompasses everything that is great about that particular genre. Their musicianship is uncontested. Their lyrics are seething. And lead singer Marcus Mumford's voice is probably one of the best. Ever. His tone is all gin-soaked rasp and rage. He can take the most mundane of songs and transform it into something altogether great.

On Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons are coming to you full throttle. From the run-for-your-money banjo fueled The Cave to the absolutely terrifying (in a good way) Dust Bowl Dance. The latter telling of a man who has been wronged and takes matters into his own hands. (There will come a time I will look in your eye/You will pray to the God that you always denied/The I'll go out back and I'll get my gun) But nothing can compare to the quiet start and blistering finish of their best track White Blank Page. Mumford lulls the listener into a sense of security with its simple melody and lyrics and somewhere around 1:30 mark turns it all out. And when he sings about a swelling rage, you feel it just as much as he does.

Mumford & Sons excel at the slow build. Stick with their songs long enough and you will be rewarded with a rich and awr inspiring listening experience. Be sure to check out their debut when it hits stores on February 10th.

Mumford & Sons- Myspace
White Blank Page-

Matt Morris

Digging For Days Reviews...
When Everything Breaks Open by Matt Morris

It really does pay to have friends in high places. Or in the case of Matt Morris, to have the Justin Timberlake to executive produce your album. But even without JT, Morris shines on his own. His debut album When Everything Breaks Open, finds the former Mousekeeter channeling his own version of a soul Ray LaMontagne. It suits him just fine as evidenced in the opener Don't You Dare. Groovy beats and loud drums resonate amidst Morris' soothing blue-eyed soul vocals. It's one of the best hooks on the album. Morris finds his muse in many things. He's got a very lyrically current song called Money (Money ain't the villain, it's the greed that's the killer), one called Love, and the violin laced The Un-American. The latter is a very tongue and cheek take on the state of the union. (The un-American is needs a personal Jesus, private insurance, an obedient wife)

But the highlight of the entire album comes from the breathtaking track Live Forever. It's no surprise that it's a Timberlake produced affair. It starts off with a dreamy pipe organ before devolving into a bombastic melody driven song. Amidst it all, though, its Morris' voice that cuts through-remaining calm and collected. His voice is at a constant quiet restraint, wanting the lyrics to really hit and not fuss it up with vocal runs.

What can make him so appealing in one song is what is frustrating in another. Morris is a definite soul singer but very rarely does he really show off his vocals. I want to hear his guy sing because I know he can. Also, too many times, the songs never quite take off because of a lack of a strong hook to latch onto such as the RnB lite track In This House. When Everything Breaks Opens can at times be a misnomer because Morris too often holds back vocally when he needs to let go like on Just Before the Morning.

But with that said, Matt provides the music scene with a jolt of blue eyed soul that's perfect for those us who need a soundtrack to life's real problems. B-

Matt Morris- Myspace
Don't You Dare (live at Bonnaroo)-

The 9 of '09

2009 was a great year in music. Here at Digging For Days, I don't pretend to have heard every album that was released. I did listen to a quite a bit. So here is my end of year list- no pretense or hype here. Let the bashing begin.

9. Crash Kings by Crash Kings

Their energy is as infectious as their songs. Without a guitar in sight, these Kings deliver one great song after the other. Whether it's the sheer force of Raincoat or the charging 1985, Crash Kings know how to keep the fingers off the skip button. They deserve much more attention in 2010.



8. Raditude by Weezer

It's not Pinkerton. They haven't even tried to copy that album and you know what? Once you accept Weezer as the band they are now, you can sleep a little better at night. They turn up the pop of their brand of nerd pop/rock on Raditude and got bashed for it. One Lil Wayne collabo later on the super catchy Can't Stop Partying and you almost forgive them for turning their back on meaningful lyrics. With songs this toe tapping, I kind like the direction Weezer is headed.

7. Build Me This by Joshua James

Once billed as a quiet folk singer, James proved everyone wrong on his second album. Here he proved that he can rock with the best of them. But he didn't lose his core group of fans along the way. He blends his style of folk music with the volume turned way up. Black July is as stomping as a White Stripe song. Coal War is a modern take on a chain gang anthem. Joshua James pulled out all the stops here and it shows.

6. The Modern Electric by The Modern Electric

A little known band with a fondness for David Bowie with a rock edge. The Modern Electric deliver on the modern part of their name. They are at once a throwback to the '90s rock sound with a whole new twist. With a lead singer who can bend his voice to the brink and back again on such heart wrenching songs like Filming Our Favorite Lies. But it's the single Mistakes that shows their artistry; rather than explode, they hold back. Tease.

5. All I Ever Wanted by Kelly Clarkson

Oh, Kelly how we missed you since you were gone. She took a break from her pop roots to get her dark side out on My December but came back full force on Wanted. My Life Would Suck Without You was the banging pop song we always wanted from her and she delivered. Her voice still remains front and center but heightened by the right hooks that let us proudly sing along with her in the car. A return to form CD that also grows the artist (Just listen to the hard rock Whyyawannabringmedown and the retro I Want You); well worth the wait.

4. Ursa Major by Third Eye Blind

We thought we were rid of the '90s alt rock kings. They went the way of Bush, Vertical Horizon, and Live. But Third Eye Blind delivered a very much labored over album Ursa Major like they had nothing to prove. Stephen Jenkins' snarl and overly worded lyrics are still intact as were the classic 3EB hooks. Don't Believe A Word is quite possibly their most rocking yet (and very The Who-ish). While Sharp Knife is a classic slow burner with a message. After all the delays, Ursa Major proved these '90s guys deserve a spot in the new millennium.

3. Revolution by Miranda Lambert

Out of left field Lambert delivered not only the best country album of the year, but one of the best period. With songs that hit you below the belt and in the face, Lambert's delivery and tone completely set the stage for the stories she is telling. The House That Built Me brings tears to my eyes just thinking about going back to my childhood home, while Me and Your Cigarettes creates one of the best metaphors, nicotine and love-(they're both addictive and bad for you). She should be sweeping the awards circuit this time next year with her most honest, heartfelt record to date.

2. Phrazes for the Young by Julian Casablancas

The Strokes front man was the last one of his group to strike out on his own and you know what they say about the last ones. Casablancas delivered a throwback to the '80s on tracks such as 11th Dimension. His songs went unexpected places and often changed without much warning. He kept an eye on the future without losing what made The Strokes. Left & Right in the Dark finds Julian bopping along with pop beat and a chorus that keeps finding hooks around every corner. With only 8 songs on this album, every one has something to love. All killer, no filler.

1. Aim and Ignite by fun.

No band found the pure bliss of music quite like fun. did this year. Led by the former lead singer of The Format, fun. delivered the most exuberant pop opus I've heard in quite a while. Washed in violins, background vocals, lush harmonies, excellent melodies and a hooks galore. Aim and Ignite did just that. It exploded what pop music can be. It doesn't have to be fake club beats and guests rap collaborations. Fun. reminded everyone that music is supposed to sound like- genuine lyrics wrapped around a clever hook. It doesn't get much better than the frenetic track ironically called Be Calm or the military drums on At Least I'm Not as Sad as I Used to Be. If Aim and Ignite was their debut I can't wait to see when they explode.