"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

What if Fear Factory and Strapping Young Lad combined forces...yeah I know that would be insane, but those bands blended together would best describe Survivors Zero. Survivors Zero has a unique sound from some of the other newer metal bands that have surfaced these past few years. Not only do  they use their double kick bass and their abrasive speed to their benefit they utilize their sound in a captivating way. They're one of the very few metal bands that incorporate many different styles of metal in one song let alone the entire album. There are to many metal bands that base their music around speed and they have no structure behind it, and then 20 seconds into the song it falls apart. Survivors Zero pace themselves and use different styles to keep you guessing what are they going to do next. The riffs and solos on this album are amazing; crystal clear and built to perfection and one thing that stands out the most on this album is the harmonic pinching which will blow your brains out as soon as it erupts on your speakers.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
N/A

Track:
Fortress Of Lies

Scottish singer-songwriter, Paolo Nutini is a testament to the fact that soul is not lost in translation (even though he does sing in English). The 23 year old exhibits a rare talent; he is ahead of his time in a way. This is the second studio album from one of the more dynamic artists signed to Atlantic Records (UK). There is an instrumental tone on most tracks that is of a western European/Irish origin, though other tracks seem to be taylor-made for the American music culture. Paolo sings about love mostly; relationships at different stages, and overcoming obstacles that threaten to derail true love. There are also elements of folk and jazz present on this work that will prove to be a favorable mix of the respective genres. The album as a whole shows great inspiration and artistic expression, particularly lyircally. The lyrics are heart felt and wreak of an underniably poetic sincerity that I find very endearing. This is an artist with a soulful voice and a passion for the music he creates; a true talent to be watched closely.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
These Streets

Track:
Coming Up Easy

This is the first of two solo releases from a man widely regarded as a musical and artistic genius. He is also well known as the lead singer of Thrice. "Please Come Home" has been received a bit differently, being an entirely acoustic album. Kensrue exhibits a wide vocal range and prowess, with a bluesy-soul element one may not have known about until this record. The lyrics have a biblical undertone, but not nearly as prominent as on his work with Thrice. It's symbolic at times, but in simple ways. There are themes of longing, drug abuse, firearms, deeply fulfilling love, and truth. With only eight tracks, it is a shorter album, but displays a variance of musical styles from slow acoustic, to folk, to a sort of vintage rockabilly. Kensrue really lets loose on this album, in a way, breaking free from the way he's been musically typecast by his work with Thrice. There are many similarities, but if you're not a fan of Thrice I'd still encourage you to listen to this album. It's more inspired, and soulful, with a cleaner acoustic delivery.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
This Good Night Is Still Everywhere

Track:
Please Come Home (title track)

Oooh baby. This is one album that lives up to its title. The fourth major release from Robin Thicke is just a little under an hour of smooth, soulful tracks that discuss one common theme (sex). You would never guess that Robin's father is Alan Thicke, a man best known for his role as Jason Seaver, the father on the ABC sitcom "Growing Pains". Robin displays a charming subtlety that is appealing, but on some tracks like "Meiple" which features Jay-Z, the lyrics are about as subtle as a rock to the head; citing the chorus, "I know you wanna (fuck)". The whole album is star-studded with contributions from Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and Kid Cudi among others. There has been an "Evolution of Robin Thicke", which was also the title of his second album in 2006. He's evidently grown much more comfortable discussing sexual subject matter, at times in a rather perverse fashion. Obviously, this is a good album to listen to while you fornicate. It's marginally entertaining, but other than that it's inconsequential. If you let your children listen to this album, you will definitely be facing some tough questions after.

 RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
A Beautiful World
The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Something Else

Track:
It's In The Mornin' (feat. Snoop Dogg)

When you first hear Anvil you might think you actually got hit with an actual anvil. That is how hard this album has hit fans and inspired other musicians in the metal genre itself. "Strength Of Steel" is one of the albums you usually find in every metal fan's collection. Very few artists have accomplished what Anvil has done on this album and that is to put out an album that is solid, in its entirety. With its crystal clear lyrics and soothing guitar solos this album is furious but peaceful as well. Listening to this album, you will find yourself head banging one moment and then laughing the next at the funny, and at times very sexual lyrics.

LoopedEyeless



Past Works:
This Is Thirteen
Back To Basics
Still Going Strong
Plenty Of Power
Speed Of Sound
Absolutely No Alternative
Plugged In Permanent
Worth The Weight
Pound For Pound
Backwaxed
Forged In Fire
Metal On Metal
Hard 'N' Heavy

Track:
Straight Between The Eyes