After combing through some blogs I came across this great band. (Thanks Come Pick Me Up) Fairline have a storied beginning. Coming from the ashes of the band Ivory, lead singer Nathaniel Moon started up Fairline after a series of events involving The Maine led him to quickly get a few tracks in front of the right people.
With a yearning voice that creaks and cracks in the right places, Moon keeps things interesting. Need A Way Out, their first single off their upcoming EP, has a touch of an electronic edge before breaking into full on pop/rock mode for the soaring chorus. Keep an ear open for this band, definitely worth your time.
I first posted about The Americans in March of last year which you can read here. They are just an amazing band from New York with a knack for the retro. Their sound infuses old school doo-wop with a modern rock twist. (The backing vocals and harmonies aren't bad either!) Lead singer Charlie Klarsfeld has a Mark Ronson vibe going on and his voice is what keeps drawing me back in.
Their new EP entitled The White EP is coming out around August. I've got my hands on it and am currently listening the hell out of it. The Antidote is a sort of preview of what's to come. More on this up and coming band. Keep up with them right here on Digging For Days.
DJ-ing for a country music radio station gets me exposed to a ton of music. It's all country music, which is bad enough, but there are some groups (Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum) that cause me to go over to the dark side for a bit. I'm not knocking the genre but I have no use for songs about trucks, rain, and being middle class. I'm from Georgia-don't need a musical reminder. The Band Perry will go onto my acceptable country music list. I saw their video for If I Die Young this morning and was completely taken by two things- #1) singer's Kimberly Perry's soft melodic tone and B.)the lyrics.
The Band Perry consists of siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neal. Having only an EP under their belt, lead singer Kimberly sure does know who to write a song. Having written If I Die Young all by herself, the song has such a great perspective and excellent phrasing. And where it matters most-in the delivery- she hits it out of the park, relying on the lyrics to push the song forward rather than bombast vocals.
An melancholy ballad about a woman's wishes if something should happen to her. With spine-tingling lines like A penny for my thoughts/I'll sell them for a dollar/They're worth so much more after I'm a goner/And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'/Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'. And having gone through losing a friend way too young this really hits me in the gut. A catchy song with killer harmonies and a great message-no matter the genre.
The Band Perry will no doubt get many Lady Antebellum comparisons due to their 2 guys and a girl lineup. But with songwriting this strong and a full length album not even out, I have high hopes for this new group. The Band Perry- Myspace If I Die Young-
Scope. That is what Carney possesses that not many bands can get right. Consisting of brothers Reeve and Zane Carney, the band is just a little left of center. With their debut album, Mr. Green Vol. 1, Carney dives into a different genre with every track and yet somehow remains intact with their sound. They bop with the Cabaret-esque Amelie, infuse quiet blues on Think of You, and completely rock out on Love Me Chase Me. The latter being a slinky, sexy track with a kiss off lyric that is simple and not so sweet. (I don't want you baby/I don't need you lately/Girls I've got to let you go.) It is one their best tracks with slow burn then an avalanche of emotion.
Carney has such a cinematic quality to their music. It is epic in every sense of the word. Just take the nearly 8 minute Testify with its dirty guitar and cool vocals. Carney, in my mind, represent a new direction of rock music. One that doesn't fit their songs into an easily digestable 3 minute radio ready hit. Their songs take their time and the payoff is well worth the wait.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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)-
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
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.
ry, lead singer Nathaniel Moon started up Fairline after a series of events involving The Maine led him to quickly get a few tracks in front of the right people.
