"Wetlands" is the second release from Tab Benoit. It becomes very obvious that both Benoit and his music are very much from Louisiana. The album wreaks of Cajun soul. The production is remarkably simple, but somehow is just larger than life. Benoit's voice has so much character and is so seasoned. He sounds much older than he is. You can pick up on that inherent patience and wisdom that seem to be part of the traditional regional culture. It becomes clear on this and Benoit's other works that this is an artist that loves where he comes from, and is proud of the heritage. This man eats, sleeps, breathes Louisiana. It's charming, and eclectic, and beautiful. It's a little bit like Led Zeppelin meets Chuck Berry. "Wetlands" is honest to goodness blues, and there's so much soul that it is bound to have an impact on fans of music in general, regardless of what genre you favor. This is the real deal.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Night Train To Nashville
Fever For The Bayou
Whiskey Store
Brother To The Blues
Sea Saint Sessions
Power of the Pontchartrain
These Blues Are All Mine

Track:
When A Cajun Man Gets The Blues

Wes Borland? Yes please.  What if Josh Freese, Danny Lohner, and Wes Borland joined forces? It would make the beautiful industrial rock super group, Black Light Burns. After Wes's departure from Limp Bizkit he went and formed this amazingly talented group. Wes Borland actually sings on this album and Freese plays guitar which I thought was unusual, but the sound that they have perfected is phenomenal. They have arranged this album perfectly, opening with a heavy-hitting song "Mesopotamia" and closing with two sexy ballads "I Am Where It Takes Me" and "Iodine Sky". After listening to this once it will be stuck in your head for eternity. Borland's vocals are impeccable and Freese's guitar skills are awe-inspiring. When they are combined the result is outstanding. Even their music videos are amazing. Apparently their second album is finished but Wes is waiting to release it until after Limp Bizkit's new album (Gold Cobra) is completed and released. I can't recommend this album enough and if you take the time to hit play, you'll be blown away or...your head will explode. But...it will be worth it. Trust me.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Cover Your Heart And The Anvil Pants Odyssey

Track:
Mesopotamia

Track:
I Am Where It Takes Me

Originally billed as an acoustic album, "Octahedron" really couldn't be more plugged, so to speak. There is acoustic guitar used, but it becomes aparent in the first two minutes of the album that it's been electronically mastered and dubbed. There also is pretty clear use of electric guitar. That being said, prior expectations aside, the Grammy Award winning band has produced a record that has a little bit for everyone; both hardcore fans and critics. This album really exhibits a variety of sounds, almost all of which were the band's signature at one point or another. There are the heavy and frantic themes, present on earlier releases, as well as a much more ambient and experimental theme that has popped up on their last couple records.  This is a band that faces so much critical praise as well as slander. The tonal variance present on this album is indicative of the band's desire to stay relevant and sort of please everybody. Fortunately for The Mars Volta, they have enough talent and charisma that they manage to embark on such an ambitious campaign without sacraficing integrity or spreading the record too thin. There are some people that just take them too seriously, but I think for the most part, this latest record shows a lot of maturity and stamina as well as a remarkable creative prowess.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
De-Loused in the Comatorium
Frances and the Mute
Amputechture
The Bedlam in Goliath

Track:
Since We've Been Wrong

The third studio release from Paramore charts their growth as a genuine rock band. "Brand New Eyes", like the past two records is written almost entirely by lead vocalist Hayley Williams who is a musical dynamo to say the least. The barely 22 year old singer/songwriter seems to have no shortage of inspiration; sort of a punk/pop version of Jack White. This record is less poppy than those prior. There is more of an edge to it. The lyrics are jaded. Williams is singing more and more about betrayal, lies, and how people ultimately tend to disappoint her. There are also glimmers of optimism like the aptly titled "The Only Exception". She shows a greater vocal range with each release. This latest work is like a laser; it's so focused and intense. The emo-pop rock sound from "All We Know Is Falling" has been shed and what's left is a raw sort of petulance; like going from Bayside to early Alanis Morissette. "Brand New Eyes" is solid and not to be overlooked.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
All We Know Is Falling
Riot!

Track:
Playing God

The Kansas City band formerly known as Veda have changed more than just their name since their 2004 debut studio album, "This Broken City". The debut and the sophomore effort that followed had a real indie grit to them. This is the third studio album and the transformation from indie pop to mainstream pop is just about complete. "Stages" is somewhat softer and more melodramatic. There is an atmospheric quality to it instrumentally. Lead vocalist, Kristen May's voice, however, remains this band's bread and butter. The range and clarity of her voice is going to be what sets them apart from other female fronted rock/pop bands. This album, although it really showcases their pop culture metamorphosis, is more about the band's maturing and not so much about selling out or whathaveyou. There is still a unique charm and depth to this band's work.

 RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
This Broken City
The Weight Of An Empty Room

Track:
Satisfy