Once In Time - True Witness

True Witness is an adult contemporary christian band from New York that poses questions, discusses faith, and sings of a greater love. Songs like, How Love Lit the Full Moon, and Not Too Late, describe the beauty of creation through metaphor and experience - the tangible essence of God's creation at work here and now.

Their music teeters back and forth between Americana and Adult Contemporary. From tracks like On High utilizing tight harmonies and more driving guitars, to Bridge, a piano led track.

If your a fan of artists such as Amy Grant, FFH, Ray Boltz, 4Him, and Michael W. Smith, you'll appreciate True Witnesses sophomore attempt, Once in Time.

RATING: 3 of 5 stars

Blue Shout Blind - Brent Jordan

Brent Jordan sets the scene of an American traveler on the road, easily telling his story through acoustic strum and weathered vocal melodies. His album, Blue Shout Blind, is the seamless musical trip you'll get and will quickly embrace.

Songs like Pretty Little Thief, Everything Changing, and John's Song are easy access songwriter tunes that will give any fan of The Wallflowers, Marc Broussard , and the like, another solid artist to add to the ipod.

Perhaps his best work is American Morning. Here, Jordan brings all of the instrumentation to its fullest working potential(s); leaving nothing undone, and still no toes being stepped on either.

Brent Jordan sounds as passionate as one could and has a natural talent for musical storytelling. If you happen to be in the San Fransisco area, check out www.myspace.com/brentjordanmusic and plan to catch him live.

RATING: 4 of 5 stars

Electric Sorcery

From the album opener, Mother Sea, it becomes apparent the guys of Electric Sorcery know what it takes to write a good song. It comes across the speakers like freedom and passion mixed up in a song. Directly following is Wisher, a riff driven track that is reminiscent of The Black Keys, North Mississippi Allstars, and Lenny Kravitz.

Later tracks like A Stitch in 9 Saves Time is a well crafted jam band tune - very very true to the genre. Its tracks like these that prove these guys can play and work off of each other. It also begs for LIVE APPEARANCE, so be sure to check out their website for future tour dates. If they can execute with the energy present on this album, a good time is in order.

http://www.myspace.com/electricsorcery

RATING: 4.5 stars of 5

Look at the Fish - Citizen Icon

The boys from Georgia are edgy and doing something slightly non-mainstream that i'm sitting in my office intrigued. Their album, Look at the Fish begs your listening ear. On Lift it Up, you'll be surrounded with part euro-rock, part psychedelic-rock, part grunge, but two thumbs up!

Shotgun starts with a single voice and acoustic guitar. Singer and frontman, Chris Cummings growls his thoughts and angst. The band joins in a few bars later and drives the listener in a nice early Pearl Jam fashion. Later tracks like High Life use hard hitting beats and tight harmonies to carry the song. I believe this one is their strongest on the album. By the last chorus, you'll be singing along.

If you're in the Atlanta area, be sure to check out their tour schedule.
RATING: 4 of 5 stars

Strangers Pass

This New Jersey band is rough, raw, and seemingly passionate. Their first track Alone, rips through the speakers like a live recording and Sadowski's vocals growl with truest sincerity. Its nicely accompanied by tasty lead guitar work.

400 Monroe steps back and more easily glides. Its a solid pop-rock ballad. But perhaps their strongest song on the 5 track e.p. is See Them All. Again, its a more reserved pop-rock tune in the vein of Tonic or Toad the Wet Sprocket. Mikkelsen also soars on the bass on this particular track.

All in all, Strangers Pass writes well, but a heftier recording budget and more intense production would serve them and their art strongly.

RATING: 3 of 5 stars

The Family Album - Lucibel Crater

Creative.
Odd.
Begs for your soul and liking.

I can't begin to express how rare and nice it is to hear a band doing something angular and different! Lucibel Crater's, The Family Album is just that - angular and clearly unique.

I'm not sure the mainstream will be able to fully appreciate their art, but I appreciate their unabashed writing and combination of instrumentation from song to song. They are truly a talented group of creative artists.

Stand out tracks include, Where You Are, There was a Time, and Threadbare Funeral; excellently executed and produced with passion.

As long as they don't cave to the mainstream, I see a promising future for Lucibel Crater!

RATING: 5 of 5 stars.

Now We're Here - Frances Ancheta

Frances Ancheta's, Now We're Here is a soothing easy-listening album. Its a textured and simplified acoustic album fitted with her breathy vocals. From the album opener, Coming Home, to tracks like Nothing Really Matters, you'll be transported to an island landscape musically.

Frances' sound is a combination of Calypso and Hawaiian tropical goodness - its nice.

RATING: 3 of 5 stars.