Beautiful singer/songwriter pop from a British songstress that should be more popular in the states than she is. Upon first listen, I thought it was okay. With each subsequent listen, I like this album more and more. This is worth multiple listens.

http://www.astridwilliamson.net

Fuzzy skanky rock that sounds like it was recorded in the 70’s. It’s not bad, but it’s nothing that is going to keep me coming back.

http://www.myspace.com/chrisstrawn

This five-song EP sounds like what Silversun Pickups would sound like if their music went anywhere. Layered indie rock from Helsinki, Finland that isn’t afraid to take risks. Those risks pay huge dividends on each of these five songs.

http://www.pestida.com

Twenty-two tracks (plus a sing Along and Karaoke Mix of the title track) that are essentially commercial jingles that never made it into commercials. The lead singer of Nerf Herder is a master of the tongue-in-cheek (just listen to their song “Van Halen”). The highlights here are the title track, “Got to Dip It!” and “The Ballad of Melvin the Magic Hot Dog.” He’s good at what he does and he does this really well, but it’s hard to pop in a 24 track CD that is less than 20 minutes long.

http://www.parrygripp.com

Centaur

It’s not my bag…  he’s the intelligent , fairly good looking, Jewish and gay Justin Timberlake. It’s all well and good for what it is. The production quality is ace - the beats are heavy.  It could definitely fill the floor at your local hot spot, it is an album full of floor fillers. His OP ED piece for the Advocate was a great read, very intelligent and put together - and his interviews are honest and time well spent.

2024 Records

Imagine if Ryan Adams had a cousin….  not a twin, not a brother… just a cousin.  The songs are moody and heavy on the dreamy.  The lyrics are lush but smart.  It’s not going to win Grammys… but it’s good and mellow. Some good company, a bottle of wine and good conversation - this is what should be playing.

Black and Greene Records

Take Elton John, Panic at the Disco and musical theater, wad it up into a ball and throw it against a wall. That’s what this album sounds like. It’s bizarre, wonderful, engaging and downright fun.

http://www.bryanscary.com

Brightskull Records

A four-part, nine-song opus that sounds like The Postal Service on speed. It’s what would be played at a rave once everyone is tripping on acid and just wanting something to move to.

http://www.myspace.com/onesmallstep

Flatbrim Recordings

Bibb is an acoustic blues/gospel troubadour who puts so much soul into each of his records that you wonder if he has any left. Then he comes out with another one that is better than his previous best. His best keeps getting better.

http://www.telarc.com

These three brothers speed through eight songs in under 21 minutes into a musical casserole that includes bits of jazz, pop, orchestral, rock, electronic and avant garde. The result is palatable in small doses. It’s a little too much.

http://www.needersandgivers.com