Siva Noir

Melodic clarity and beauty intermingle with epic electro-pop/rock in Siva Noir's self-titled album. In early track, The Hunger, Newman's vocals soar and swell with enough intoxication to give a rise to any Annie Lennox fan. She is accompanied with tight power and raw energy from the band.

In a later track, End Times, pulls out all the stops in a very Muse (Absolution) manner. Its an interesting combination; whereas Newman's vocals come across like a power rock theater - wailed with a Queen-esque fullness, the band drives with layers upon layers and powerful hits.

Imagine Muse and Jellyfish birthing a band, and you get Siva Noir.

Find them online at: http://www.myspace.com/sivanoir

RATING: 4 of 5 stars

Breaking - Brian Larsen

Maryland native Brian Larsen, works his craft on his debut solo album, Breaking. Set to release in August later this year, Larsen writes of life with lines like, "I'm living in a world of fear; But you can make it all just disappear" from Frozen - an acoustic rock track resembling The Bare Naked Ladies.

Later in Hold Me Down, he says, "How can I belabor this life?; I'm ripped apart inside;" showing a darker side written in the vein of REM. Its in this track that Larsen utilizes thicker harmonies to deliver the melody.

Story after short-story describing what can only be imagined as his emotions and points of view as an onlooker of life, he solidifies his "sound" and approach at writing - mostly waltzing the REM, acoustic alt/rock genre.

RATING: 3.5 of 5 stars

Should It End - The Additives

If you've not yet heard of The Additives, I imagine its just a matter of time before you do. The Chicago band takes a successful step back to easier and simpler times with a sound comfortable in Americana and roots rock. Its the spawn of Elvis Costello, Cake, and Wiclo.

The opener and title track, Should It End, grips you from the first acoustic strum and holds you to its last utterance. And in the next track The Additives give you just what you need with Blood Red Diamonds. Later in the album, Lookin Out slows things down with a song that sounds more singer/songwriter than the rest; but the departure is a nice one.

The Additives are about to embark on a national tour from Illinois to California, Indiana to Tennessee - so make sure you check out their site and go see them if they're in your area.

www.theadditives.com

RATING: 4 of 5 stars

The Brooklyn What For Borough President

Don't sit down in a comfy chair for this one...its unfiltered and unrelenting indie-punk-rock with a euro twist. As a matter of fact, I can't imagine listening to this CD alone - it needs the group/gang atmosphere to fully appreciate it. The Brooklyn What For Borough President is the cumulative force of 6 New York natives.

The album opener, I Don't Wanna Go To Willimasburg, grabs you quick with lines like, "I just wanna' play with the cool kids," and doesn't let go until its over. And in tracks like For The Best, The Brooklyn What uses catchy-riffs to drive home the song and mood with success.

Overall, the production could use a bit more delicacy and focus, but their intensity will be hard to be matched by just about anyone. I would imagine that the live show is even more intense. Check The Brooklyn What out and enjoy the find: www.thebrooklynwhat.com

RATING: 3.5 of 5 stars

Good Night, Good Riddance - What Bird

Nashville duo What Bird, is the musical expression of Julia and Winston Harrison. Together they compose dark transient simplicity. Their debut album Good Night, Good Riddance is an expressive ride that capitalizes on emotion through ambiance and the beautiful clarity of Julia's voice.

Clearly students of Nashville, their pop-sensible tracks come across with a natural Allison Krauss element, giving the listener just enough to want more and yearn for their next recording. Songs like Home To You, Under the Milky Way, and Perfect Faith, strip things back just enough to unleash Julia's vocals in their richest way possible - working with warm ambience and texture to create memorable pieces of art.

The overall record is a complete success! Excellently blended instrumentation and the care put into each vocal line comes across with real brilliance. I think anyone a fan of excellent music will appreciate What Bird; but if you find Allison Krauss, Nichole Nordeman, the Cranberries, and the like in your CD or ipod rotations, you'll especially take the duo to heart.

Its two thumbs way up. Take care of yourself and check their tour calendar for a concert in your area, and while you're at it, and pick up a copy of the album: www.myspace.com/whatbird

RATING: 5 of 5 stars

Things We Would Rather Lose - Paper Arrows

The Paper Arrows are a fresh alt/rock band from Chicago doing things right! Telling stories with clarity and using the instrumentation to evoke rich emotion is their strong suit (and when it comes to writing music, is there really anything else?)

Song like Things We Would Rather Lose capture the vibe of roots rock and singable americana, whereas Til I Couldn't Cry slows things down in a perfect piano led gospel rock track. Its an intimate track that's polished enough for pop-appeal, but raw enough that Goodkin's vocals rip to the heart, and when he jumps to falsetto all is well in the world.

On One More Quiet Song, the band brings in The Cosmic Unity for horn support and adds a totally different element to the band's sound - a sort of Mighty Mighty Boss Tones meets Counting Crows feel. And as the album comes to rest with Explosions Below, they again create an acoustic Adam Duritzy vibe as Goodkin's vocals passionately paint vivid imagery as he wails..."the last thing that she gave me!"

Buy this album, see them live, thank me later.

RATING: 5 of 5 stars

Momento - Theresa Flaminio

Theresa Flaminio is a fresh voice and writer that combines jazzy nuances with a sexy singer/songwriter vocal on her album, Momento. Pop tracks like Good Thoughts and Run contrast nicely against more soulful tracks, Coulda Woulda Shoulda and Green Cadillac; exposing Flaminio's true ability to compose varied emotion, style, and genre, all the while not losing her eye on the overall product.

I'm finding myself hesitant to bring any artist comparisons to name because it's just that refreshing. It may not be your cup of tea, but its unique and I believe Flaminio is being 100% true to who she is as an artist.

The overall production is seamless and the instrumentation is very well written and crafted. If you're in the mood for something different and uplifting, get a copy of Theresa Flaminio's, Momento.

RATING: 4 of 5 stars