Stop the presses. Acoustic icon, Joshua Radin has gone electric. Not just electric guitar, either...this latest release features electric drum beats as well. He's gone from Elliot Smith to Howie Day, as far as the primary sound. There are the standard slow and sentimental tracks we're used to from Radin, like the title track. It ultimately came down to evolution with this artist. Most acoustic artists for that matter, are eventually limited by the confines of just one instrument and style really. The new elements to Radin's sound are pleasant. There are times, however, when it sounds slightly awkward. His voice doesn't really have the range for these kinds of genre-spanning manuevers and it's prevalent on tracks like "Road to Ride On" and "Here We Go". These tracks sort of sound like they were done acoustic and then remixed for a dance compilation album. The lyrics are true to form, maintaining the heartfelt and simple beauty that's become his signature. Unfortunately, in his progress he's lost that vintage element that is so appealing. The album is average, but shows promise.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
We Were Here
Simple Times

Track:
We Are Only Getting Better

Duffy returns with her soulful voice and style in her second studio album. This album in contrast to the debut, "Rockferry", was produced mostly by an American production team, but the fidelity to her trademark sound has remained intact. "Well, Well, Well", the album's fourth track is creating a buzz. The Welsh singer collaborates with Philadelphia soul gurus, The Roots, It's a more up-tempo track. Most of the album, however, is the cool, piano, horn, and acoustic guitar driven sound listeners have come to love. The vocals are clear and resonating. Just about every song, with the exception of the aforementioned collaboration with The Roots, is drenched in that beautiful melancholy. Duffy's music is timeless and ornate, like a classic black and white film. Most of the tracks are love songs, but they are also about longing, regret, and the overwhelming power of new relationships. A brilliant sophomore effort, indeed...an appropriate follow-up.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Rockferry

Track:
Endlessly (title track)

The band the critics love to hate, the boys from Boulder (CO) are back with their third studio album. "Streets Of Gold" is 14 tracks (16 on Deluxe Edition) of relentless, party themed, dirty pop music set to heavily synthesized beats with occasional guitar riffs. The evolution of this band from album to album suggests they are shedding their aggressive house music roots, and branching out into a more melodic pop sound that really suits them much better. They gain more fans with each album, as well as notoriety within the music industry. This album features cameos by pop juggernauts Ke$ha and Katy Perry. Tracks like 'R.I.P.' exhibit a more somber tone, lyrically atleast, but nothing cumbersome. If you're looking for an all around fun album about house parties, chasing girls, and general tomfoolery...this is pretty much it.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
3OH!3 (self-titled)
Want

Track:
House Party