Fefe Dobson

So this pick is probably going to make some of y'all's eyes roll, but keep an open mind. Fefe Dobson hasn't really made it big yet. Sure she has had a song here or there barely, but not much else. In fact her sophomore album was scrapped after her first two singles off said album failed to chart. Maybe we'll chalk her up to bigger in Canada.

But I ask why isn't she clicking with today's music scene? She fits into the same category as Avril Lavigne, and I would argue that she even surpasses her. I have a feeling that Fefe's time is coming. Her third (2nd?) album is entitled Joy and is set for release this fall on an independent label. One of her songs was recently covered by Jordin Sparks (Don't Let It Go To Your Head), and her first single, I Want You, is pure pop/rock bliss. From the simple guitar to the hand claps, everything clicks on this song. Fefe has never delivered such a sharp, catchy song before. Her punk snare is still intact and ready for a whole new chapter in her rising music star.

Fefe Dobson- Myspace
I Want You-

Pete Bernhard

Digging For Days Reviews...
Straight Line by Pete Bernhard

Devil Makes Three lead singer Pete Bernhard is taking another stab at a solo album. This is technically his second solo album but his first commercial release. Straight Line finds Pete in his comfort zone of rootsy rock. But it is his voice that continues to amaze. He's at home on country music with a bluegrass bend. But he's not honky tonk.

I loved the vibe Devil Makes Three had going on, but on Straight Line Bernhard is very hit and miss. First the good. If the song Warning is not a single then the whole album should not even be released. It's excellent down to it chin-y chin chin. The title sums it up. Bernhard is warning "Emily" of the perils of fame and fortune-They're watching close so don't make no mistake/It's just my warning to you from me. The boppy piano line makes this quite a toe tapper and a very cautionary tale. The album closer 8th & Main is a low key affair. But a very melodic one and a great note to end on.

But if I'm honest the remainder of the album is just musically mediocre. The songwriting is top notch, but the lack of hooks left me underwhelmed. Many of the songs have nowhere to go. It's a shame really because while working at the radio station is summer, Warning was in constant rotation. Pete's Straight Line might have been better suited if he took a few detours here and there. C

Pete Bernhard- Myspace

Andrew Belle

Andrew Belle is a singer/songwriter based in Chicago and Tennessee. He has a pop/indie vibe going on. His voice is smooth with almost a David Gray-esque quality, and his songs are catchy. At 24, it's refreshing to hear that the first album he ever bought was Counting Crows' August and Everything After. And readily admits Third Eye Blind as one of the bands that introduced him to the pop/rock world. Most artists will throw out older, "cool factor" bands as influences but don't really mean it.

His EP All Those Pretty Lights is currently on iTunes but you can also grab it for free off his Myspace page. It's filled with breezy gems brimming with acoustic guitar. It's music for a coffee house but without the pretension. Andrew Belle's full length LP The Ladder comes out later this year. But you can catch him on the east coast with the Ten From Tenn Tour. Belle's voice is the appealing factor here. What he lacks in sheer power he makes up for in a great tone.

Andrew Belle- Myspace
All Those Pretty Lights-

Kevin Hammond

So usually on Tuesdays, I'm trolling iTunes to see what's new and what's out. I click through, listen to samples and so forth. Usually not much strikes my fancy, but today was different. I just randomly clicked on some guy named Kevin Hammond. Never heard of him before, we'll see what he's got. First of all, that voice. It is a mixture of Gavin DeGraw and Jason Mraz, yet distinctive enough to catch your attention. He can instantly go into his falsetto and back again seamlessly. Having quit his day job, traded in his car for a van, and took to the road to become a "musical nomad." Quite a risk, but one I bet has paid off in spades.

Hammond's demo on iTunes called Maybe is acoustic pop/rock with a hook around every turn. His style is very blue-eyed soul meets acoustic rock. Upon searching for more of his stuff, I came across probably the best rendition of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy, possibly ever. Many of his original songs though are quite catchy and deserves your attention right now. Look for his debut album to hit stores sometime this fall.

Kevin Hammond- Myspace
Broken Down-

This Century

Fact: This Century hail from Arizona. Fact: They are on the pop side of rock. Fact: They will seep into your head and become unshakable. This Century recently released an EP To Love And Back and if you're into The Cab then here's your next favorite band. Their songs are saturated with melody and lifted by warm, natural lead vocals. The title track is a mid-tempo piano-laced love song about a relationship that's on its last breath. Battling a Heavy Heart is a must listen. It is just a solid, hooky song about finding someone to lift you out of a funk. (I've been waiting a long time, long time to get to you)

This Century is a steady band. I've liked almost every song I've heard so far. But if they are not to really take off they will need to shake off their comfort zone and up the risk factors musically. Their song It's Not You It's Me is a groovy step in the right direction. Everything is hook laden and catchy (which is good) but needs a jolt. All in all though, a good band that has miles of potential.

This Century- Myspace
To Love And Back-

Those Dancing Days

Sweden isn't just home of ABBA, but also of the band Those Dancing Days. The oddly named band (taking inspiration from the Led Zeppelin song Dancing Days) is a fine mix of pure dance-able pop and infectious 1960s girl groups. The band is refreshingly made up of all women(!) that play their own instruments(!!) with a lead singer that has some Ida Marie and Florence and The Machine influences.

Their debut album In Our Space Hero Suits came out in the UK late last year and is slowly trickling over the pond. They have quite a bit of excellent songs-among them is Run Run. With warbling organ keeping the vibe a bit retro and a melody that is too catchy for its own good, Run Run is a rollicking good time. Home Sweet Home is a touching ode to coming back home, backed by summer synths. (Home sweet home, I've been away for too long) Those Dancing Days is quite an eccentric bunch with slightly off kilter tunes that surprise you as they go along. Finally an all girl band that isn't all pop and flash with no substance.

Those Dancing Days- Myspace
Run Run-

Holiday Parade

Fellow Georgians, Holiday Parade is aptly named. Who doesn't love holidays and parades? Put the two together and it's just a fun experience all around. Holiday Parade isn't really going for critical praise with their new album Tickets And Passports, but they are going for gold in fun, sunny, catchy songs. They might be best known for Slam Crunk in which they took rap songs and sang them with melodies.

Their album is filled with not-so-ground breaking songs, but man do they know how to write a hook. Their sound is rock/pop at its most melodic. They really remind me of Relient K in both vocal delivery and musical style. Bouncy piano finds its way into many songs such as their best track Time For Me. With its fast paced chorus that could be sung at the top of your lungs at a summer concert. Where Did I Go is a laid back affair with a lean on acoustic guitar licks that keep the beat on a simmer. Holiday Parade might get lost in the shuffle, but deserve to be in your stereo as the summer nights close in.

Holiday Parade- Myspace
Time For Me-

He Is We

Washington natives He Is We (aka Rachel Taylor and Trevor Kelly) come from different musical tastes. She is an indie rock/pop girl, while he enjoys hardcore metal. Together you wouldn't be able to tell. Their music is so melodic with Rachel taking over much of the lead vocals. She has a Paramore vibe going on but with a sweeter voice. Her voice cuts through everything; it's so clear.

Many of their songs are so damn catchy, you will be whistling it all day long. Pardon Me is all boppy piano and killer harmonies- one of their best. Radio is a somber ode to getting through to someone. (He only hums when he's blue/Radio leave me a melody that'll make this boy cry ) While A Mess It Grows is a heart breaker, sing songy track about a bad relationship that you don't want to end. (Why do I justify what you did wrong to me?) He Is We is unsigned but with the music scene how it is right now, would fit it just fine with the indie crowd.

He Is We- Myspace
Pardon Me-

The Trews

I've been meaning to feature these guys for a while now, but am just getting around to it. From Canada, The Trews are big, loud rock and roll. There aren't any frills- just straight forward rock. They are all chugging guitars, pounding drums, and explosive vocals. But they somehow still manage to find a catchy hook every time. Some bands would just rather power through than find the melody.

Their album No Time For Later is filled with gasoline and sparks. There are a couple great tracks that make you want to sing out loud. The title track is one of the best with an energy level that stays at 11 the entire time. Lead singer Collin MacDonald sings every song like his life depended on it. I get a bit of Eddie Veder vibe from him. Feel The Pain is the catchiest song of the album with a killer the chorus. The Trews aren't playing around with their sound. They are rockers with a melodic side. A great side to be on by the way.

The Trews- Myspace
No Time For Later

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