"Foundling" is an antiquated word used to describe a baby that had been found after being abandoned by its parents. Gray is said to have chosen this title because this album just sort of showed up on his doorstep. When inspiration like that just sort of comes to you, you must be truly talented. This two-disc release is his ninth. Although this artist's best work is widely believed to be 1998's "White Ladder", each album before and since shares a similar sound. Fans of David Gray will undoubtedly be among those who enjoy this album the most, however the gravity of the content may not be lost on all others. There is a remarkable elegance throughout the album. Instrumentally the album is modest. Most tracks utilize a piano for the primary sound. The lyrics are obscure at times, but nonetheless beautiful and grandiose; real pop poetry. Critically, this record has met mixed reviews. Granted, it's not a masterpiece, but it is far from mediocre.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
A Century Ends
Flesh
Sell, Sell, Sell
White Ladder
Lost Songs 95-98
A New Day at Midnight
Life in Slow Motion
Draw The Line

Track:
A Million Years

Motion City Soundtrack is like pop-punk ritalin. From open to close, their fourth studio album is stimulating and energetic. The record is the first on the band's new label (Columbia) and was produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. It's fitting that Hoppus produced this album seeing as he and the band have one huge thing in common...they both used to be better. Nonetheless, this is a solid album and they have not deviated from the underdog romantic driven lyrical theme and melodic pop sound from the first two albums. They've lost the inherent melancholy that was present on 2007's "Even If It Kills Me", which is a good thing in my opinion. There are still a good deal of self defecating lyrics, but the lighter themed content suits them much better. If you're a fan of this band, this album will be well received. This is definitely a band that sticks to a signature. Justin Pierre's voice is unique and sharp. If you've never heard them, however, do not judge them based solely on this album. The debut release, "I Am The Movie", is clearly the band's best work.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
I Am The Movie
Commit This To Memory
Even If It Kills Me

Track:
A Lifeless Ordinary (I Need A Little Help)

Known by 'The Management' in 2005 (and known to very few, at that), MGMT opted to abridge their name after the release of their first studio album that year. This is a band that's always found themselves in the realm of a sort of contemporary glam-rock/pop. That being said, there is however a noticeable evolution traceable through the discography. There is a growing lucidity; the tracks from album to album are increasingly fine tuned from a compositional standpoint. MGMT has become a big-picture band in relation to their records. Listening to "Congratulations", one can appreciate the work as a whole, and picking out singles seems futile. It's become highly artistic in that sense, that picking one track for the radio is comparable to framing a cropped portion of a painting or publishing one chapter from a novel. The continuity is not as seamless as say, "Dark Side of the Moon", but the two records are similarly ominous and epic. The highbrow lyrics and futuristic, symphonic melodies are heavy, but enjoyable...an appealing album, indeed.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Climbing to New Lows
Oracular Spectacular

Track:
Congratulations (title track)

There is a laid back style to this debut release from 2 AM Club. The band utilizes two front men, one who primarily sings, and another who rhymes. The tracks are catchy, maybe not right away, but after listening a couple times you find them popping up in your brain randomly over the day. The first single "Worry About You" is by far the most infectious. There are times that the "rap interludes" sound out of place and are kind of annoying. The 6 member band is from Los Angeles, and there's definitely that LA Pop kind of superficial feel to it. The album is instrumentally inspired with a funk influence at times. Lyrically it is inconsequential. This is pop music here..,nothing more, nothing less.

RedletterDaydream


Past Works:
N/A

Track:
Worry About You

There is something about KT Tunstall that distinguishes her from other female pop artists.It could be that she was adopted. It could be that she's from Scotland. Whatever it is, it's an endearing quality that is unique to her. She seems to exude confidence and independence. Her signature low, sort of raspy voice makes a return here on her third studio album. Her songs while instrumentally diverse, root themselves lyrically in a heavily metaphoric symbolism. There is prolific use of acoustic guitar, which is KT's bread and butter on this and her past works. The real art of this album is found on more intimate tracks like "Lost". The delivery of this album keeps Tunstall in that pop genre, however it is a lot deeper than most pop. The album is substantial and satisfying. We hear themes of being unsure in love, existentialism, and surrendering to the mighty will of love and the current of life. It's another masterful work in a series of cool and beautiful music from a talented artist.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Drastic Fantastic
Eye to the Telescope

Track:
Lost

Whether or not the future is made of virtual insanity is a matter of perspective, however there is little one can do to argue the notion that Jamiroquai is a unique and valued part of the musical landscape. Their new album is true to the consistent form exercised by this band since their first release in 1993. They have dabbled across genres here and there, but the foundation remains. This album is that jazzy pop we know and love. There are instances of synthesized dance beats, electronica, and blues guitar. Front man, Jay Kay's voice is like honey. There is a certain timelessness to Jamiroquai's work, but if you had to pin it down to a period, I'd say the distant future. The sound is futuristic, but so too are the lyrics which address ever present cultural themes set to metaphors with elements of space travel and physical science. "Rock Dust Light Star" is something I could see someone listening to in the car on the way to work in the morning, or coming through the integrated audio system in their suit during a space walk.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Emergency on Planet Earth
The Return of the Space Cowboy
Traveling Without Moving
Synkronized
A Funk Odyssey
Dynamite
High Times: The Singles (1992-2006)

Track:
Smoke and Mirrors