From The Let Go (Bob Pepek)

Connecticut isn't known for its riveting music scene, but Bob Pepek emerges as a pop-rock artist. Pepek writes catchy melodies over simple, pop-acoustic instrumentation and rhythms.

His e.p., From The Let Go, begins with a singable song, A Little More. Performed in the vein of The Bare Naked Ladies, Pepek strums and leads a somewhat quirky and fun tune - perfect for a long summer day.

This Promise to You opens with an acoustic conversation anyone will admit to having at least once in their life. Its these stories and conversations of everyday life that Pepek captures and puts to song.

But perhaps Pepek's best effort is when he strips things down to his guitar and a smattering of strings for the album closer, Just One More Word. Its darker and more subtle, and suits his voice and talent most accurately.

RATING: 3.5 of 5 stars

Love Peace (Mary & Martin)

Mary & Martin, a duo from the UK writes unabashedly of two things: love and peace. Its a fitting title - Love Peace. The sounds the two produce sound like what they're going after too, warm songs, peaceful tunes, positive sounds.

Light of Love, will put a smile on your face and make you sway back and forth in the reggae infused tune. Remember, is a lighter waltz that will bring you and your loved ones close for an intimate dance, and Love Me, works its magic in the reverbial vocals, and elegant harmonies.

The duo's quest for all things Love and Peace should come as no surprise at learning of their past. Have fun and visit their website for more info: www.maryandmartin.com

RATING: 3 of 5 stars

When I Cross the River (Tom Bolton)

Melbourne's, Tom Bolton whisks you away in a transparent record, When I Cross the River. Like something you'd get if you crossed Nick Drake with Pink Floyd, the album stretches across many sounds and sub-genres.

Bolton's folkish tracks seem more forced, but when he eases into the space of his more atmospheric tracks, he really rises to the occasion.

Standout tracks include, Silver; a Pink Floyd meets Radiohead song with dissonance galore and haunting vocals, Longer Than My Life; another Radiohead-esque song that delivers dark scenes through well executed recording and producion, and lastly, Little Star; one of the simpliest songs I've heard in a while, but that captures more heart and rawness than you can give one sentence credit.

RATING: 3 of 5 stars

My Thing (Tuomo)

Finland, soul native, Tuomo has it!

He's an RnB singer/songwriter that capitalizes on his obvious giftedness. As a talented songwriter, instrumentalist, touring artist, and producer, Tuomo harnesses great music and production on his album, My Thing.

He's no secret in his native hometown of Helsinki. He even has followers strewn across the globe, ranging from Germany to Japan. But his American audience is limited - I'm guessing, not for long though.

My Thing is carefully crafted with soundscapes lifted from the best of Motown. It's part vintage RnB, part new soul, and all sexy. The genre, composed of huge bands, auxiliary sounds, and layered vocals, lends itself to muddiness and over-complication, but Tuomo succeeds song after song. Each instrument is seamlessly placed to pop-perfection standards.

My Thing, the title track, grips the listener with a tight percussive groove, backed by funk guitar riffs and lifts with gripping and melodic vocals. Don't Take It Too Hard takes you back to the 60's and 70's, sounding like a great Stevie Wonder track. Both 26 and Puddle of Love croon simplistically written verses and choruses that intertwine catchy vocal runs with more sparse instrumentation and harmonies. I'd imagine these two tracks making Justin Timberlake jealous he didn't write them first.

Other notable tracks are Sorry When I'm Gone and It's You, different stylistically, but both pleasing to the listener.

Tuomo is understanding of what it takes to compose a successful piece of art, and he does so with ease.

The overall production value is impeccable and the instrumentation sits exactly where its needed. Please do yourself a huge favor and pick up a copy of Tuomo's album, My Thing. You'll be happy you did. Check him out online at www.tuomomusic.com

RATING: 5 of 5 stars

Beware of Fashionable Women

Rock Bottom races from the speakers, laden with simple drum grooves, harmonies galore, and a euro-rock guitar line that puts an immediate summer-fun-lovin' smile on your face. In the vein of Beachboys' Pet Sounds meets Jellyfish's Spilt Milk, the CD has begun to please.

Obligatory Tattoo starts with a riff reminiscent of your favorite James Bond film. As the verse begins you'll agree that the song has sound track written all over it. But at the chorus, it moves from distant and ominous to pure pop - too angular for what started.

Found is as close to jazz as you'll get with these guys. Its a friendly and easy listening tune. If you're a tongue in cheek fan, you'll like the conflicting lyrics (dark and bloody) mixed with the quirkiness of a poppy Ben Fold's song.

I imagine a live fan favorite to be The Great Corrupter (Of Youth). It has a very live quality. More time in production might have made this one soar more completely on record. But its in the last track, The Big Yellow, that the band strikes gold. Clearly their best song. In all facets: writing, performing, and production, it stands out above the rest. Its a catchy song, again in the vein of Ben Folds, that I think any listener will enjoy.

All in all, Beware of Fashionable Women is an upbeat, fun record. Its full of harmonies and life. Check it out whenever you get some time!

RATING: 3.5 of 5 stars.

Bright Lights (JJ Soul Band)

Bright Lights, the newest album from JJ Soul Band is a nice combination of easy listening blues and adult contemporary pop-rock. There’s a little something for everyone in this album. With a stellar band and instrumentalists at hand, the boys from Iceland execute nicely.

At The Mall, the album’s opener quickly jumps at you in a bluesy pop-rock fashion; full of tasty guitar licks and perfected Rhodes and hammond work. It’s busy, but not so much that it’s overdone or conflicting. Let Love Find Us spouts trippy guitar work that would please the likes of any Jack White fan. It swells and rises and falls in such an angular way that the listener can’t help but be drawn to it.

After a few more tracks, JJ Soul Band descends from the pop-blues sound to a very John Scofield-esqu piece in, Jazz And Tarantella. Again, the instrumentation brings this song to life, and the vocals knock at your gritty soul side. JJ Soul’s vocals are something between a growling Louie Armstrong and late Peter Gabriel.

All in all, it’s a well-produced and recorded album, so pick up a copy.

RATING: 3.5 of 5 stars

In The Midnight Hours (Dan Sistos)

Sassy percussion and guitar movement immediately draw in its listener on In The Midnight Hours. And so it continues for soloist, Dan Sistos in his most recent album. A true talent of the guitar, he eases through intricate runs and lead lines.

Sistos’ talent surrounds him and is evident in his past performances with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Toni Braxton, and making several major appearances on television’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Late Show with David Letterman, Good Morning America and the American Music Awards.

Nocturne is a beautifully dark piece accompanied with full string arrangement that shows Sistos’ contrast from the uber-pop/Latin music genre. Again on Midnight Waltz, Sistos is able to slow things down to almost a breeze as his playing evokes the most intimate of emotions. But my favorite work is in the simplicity of Sistos’ Going Home. If you close your eyes, you’ll swear he’s in the room with you.

Sistos is accompanied by a truly impressive list of class A musicians on this record. Anyone that appreciates well executed Latin music or is a fan of the World Music genre will instantly be a fan of Dan Sistos’, In The Midnight Hours.

RATING: 4 of 5 stars