I Am Merely Sand - Daniel Christian

Combining atmospheric guitars with an almost roots-rock/alt/country vibe, Daniel Christian delivers on I Am Merely Sand.

The albums opener, New Sun Rising spouts tight vocal harmonies, circular and swirling guitars, mixed with a Nashville-esque gloss. Estella glides more easily with simple instrumentation, pianos, drums, and strings. The song has a James Taylor quality to it - these are certainly some great expectations for Christian. Flashlight Tag is a simple story from childhood. Christian does a great job of translating story into song.

I Am Merely Sand is a simply done, 10-track album. There's not much flash to it musically. But if you're more into lyrics than instrumentation and production, you'll definately be a fan.

RATING: 3.5 of 5 stars

Stories from Sammy Louis - Shake Anderson

Prepare to be soothed in a very real way. Shake Anderson walks you through 11 tracks of mellow, pop songs, executed precisely, and with real swagger.

Standouts include, Set it Off; it draws a picture in your mind as its being performed. Its a vivid soundscape that will set you in a good mood. Tumblin' Down, a soulish singer/songwriter tune complete with rhodes pianos and gospel choir. Sold Me Down the River is a more upbeat song straight out of Motown. I swear I could sing the chorus on first listen - it was just that catchy and perfect.

Stories from Sammy Louis has a lot of love in it and a lot of accute care. Each instrument seems delicately placed, never overstepping its role. The record works and its a real joyful ride.

For more information about Shake Anderson, check him out online: http://www.shakeanderson.com

RATING: 4 of 5 stars

Modern Science

It takes about 10 seconds to realize these guys have it! Think Depeche Mode meets Stevie Wonder meets Peter Gabriel. Its a throwback to electro-funk combined with driving rock underlings - and it works.

Look Where Your Walkin' screams from the speakers extremely tightly and whether you're a fan of the genre or not, I think you'll be drawn in. I'm the One kicks off with tight bass and percussive beats that will get you moving. It has the feel of a modernized Jackson 5 tune. Baby Please has a motown feel that works while intensely rocking, "you're love has got a hold on me."

Later tracks like Desperately, rock a little more and I think are their more original and up-to-date sounding tracks. Its a darker pop-rock melody that would fit perfectly in a club. My favorite track is Can't Go Wrong, a poppy rock song that utilizes the electro-funk sounds that makes Modern Science unique, but also modernizes the sound that I think will really sell.

Its a great album that i highly recommend to any fan of good music!

RATING: 5 of 5 stars

Almost One e.p.

Almost One started this indie endeavor nearly 5 years ago. And today, the 4 track e.p. translates nicely with anthemic themes, simplistic writing and recording, world music influences, but overall very nicely done.

This Night Could be True has the elements of a Jellyfish song while it utilizes some more world music themes and instrumentation. The Line however is a very basic, singable pop-song, with cowbell galore.

Things slow down on Standing Still, a piano driven song, stripped down to its essentials. The harmonies really stand out as a highlight on this track.

Almost One is clearly an indie act in the making. Watch for these guys.
RATING: 3 of 5 stars

Under Your Bed

Under Your Bed is one of the best produced albums I've heard from an independent band in a while. Its deliciously driving, with raw guitars playing off one another, bass lines syncing up perfectly with the drums and intense wailing vocals to drive home each song.

Leave the Lights On hits hard from the get-go; a perfect song to get the adrenaline pumping. While tracks like No Compromise give off a real No Doubt (on steroids) feel, the kick drum pulses against Sapp's vocals. The song quickly explodes and you'll agree its a great piece of work.

Quite possibly the tightest sound and most cohesive throughout the album, is American Idle. I haven't been able to shake it from my head in over a day. I'd say they're onto something here.

Overall, Under Your Bed knows how to write. They know how to translate pure rock emotion via song. Under Your Bed is a ride - take advantage of it and spread the word when you do.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Lost & Found - Noush Skaugen

Noush Skaugen is a pure pop talent we'll all be hearing from in the near future (at least that's my best guess). She's already getting ample regional acclaim, but the national scene is sure to catch on soon. Her most recent album, Lost & Found is a pop-rock score!

With catchy and singable tracks like Beautifulize and Not Gonna Give You the Satisfaction, her thick, pop-perfected melodies will remain in your head for days. The production of these songs doesn't hurt either. They're sonically accute, placing each instrument exactly where it belongs.

Other tracks such as See Clearly, give the pop-rocker a more atmospheric and spacious quality, while tracks like Let You Go, features her ability to write soft, mellow, sorrowful tunes, all the while remaining intensely simple.

All in all, her album is win. Catch a show and pick up Lost & Found in the very near future!
RATING: 4 of 5 stars

Werdegang E.P. - Sleepers Awake

Imagine Eddie Vedder wailing to a trippier, more progressive backing band, and you have an accurate taste of Sleepers Awake's, Werdegang E.P. Boatman Blues really showcases great drumming by Eric Gray which is accompanied by fighting guitars.

In Time is a swingy rock song with blaring bass and guitar riffs that backs a falsetto vocal forcing the thought, "don't you wish you could turn back time?" Its more reserved and thought provoking.

Screamers unleashes non-congruent guitar lines with hard panned movement. Its a ride for your ears. Thompson's vocals are an intense whisper and work very convincingly.

If you are a fan of Pearl Jam, you'll enjoy this e.p. If not, you might want to keep your distance. If Vedder ever finds himself unable to perform, Thompson could step in and 99% of the audience wouldn't know the difference.

RATING: 3 of 5 stars