Music Blogs

Pass It Around by Donavon Frankenreiter 

 (Listen - Rhapsody)

Donavon Frankenreiter's latest effort titled Pass It Around has an undercurrent and lyrical content that is firmly rooted in timeless hippy concepts. Share the love sentiment is a hard thing to distribute through music without coming off as cheesy or forced, but Frankenreiter connects on the make-the-world-a-better-place vibe. Downtempo grooves backed with swirling B3, understated drums and lite guitar mesh perfectly with Donavon's soulful and confident vocals. Although the cynical and snide among the music elite will certainly hail the record as too common, I would be a liar to deny it's appeal to both the ears and the heart.

Sunshine Lies by Matthew Sweet

 (Listen - Rhapsody)

A lot of Matthew Sweet fans long for another album as great as 1991's sublime Girlfriend. And although Sunshine Lies is not the return to form we've been craving it does have some of the Beatlesque leaning, loose guitar playing and distinctive voice we fell in love with 17 years ago. When Sweet has those gritty electric guitars turned up, and his unique self-overdubbed harmony at full throttle it just sounds great. The problem is that the songs on Sunshine Lies never stand out from the crowd. That perfect melody never shines through and in the end the disc leaves you disappointed. You won't find yourself returning to it for a second spin, but it will have you digging Girlfriend out of your collection.

Going To Where The Tea Trees Are by Peter Von Poehl

 (Listen - Rhapsody)

Going To Where The Tea Trees are by Peter Von Peohl came out of left field for me. I was not familiar with his music when I popped this disc in to check it out on a long drive. It could easily be described as a modern day indie remaking of 70s soft rock. Simple but clean production help elevate this collection of low key songs to greatness. Whether Tea Trees gets the attention it deserves only time will tell, but make no mistake, this is a record you need to own. It's mood is measured, but at times Von Poehl reaches for the clouds. The first 3 songs are almost perfect, but by the time you get through the super-hook chorus of "Virgin Mountains" and the infectious "A Broken Skeleton Key" you'll know you're listening to something very special indeed.

F, Monday, Orange, February, Venus, Lunatic, 1 Or 13 by Colourmusic

 (Listen - Rhapsody)

Colourmusic has this concept (gimmick?) to create albums that evoke the same feelings as a particular color, in this case orange. Well, all I have to say about that is -- poppycock. However, when you look past the byline crafted to attract attention the music on F, Monday, Orange, February, Venus, Lunatic, 1 Or 13 is inspired, forward-looking and catchy. Virtuosic playing melds with art-school aesthetic and old fashioned hook and harmony. The result is a record that meets that hard to reach balance where the musical ideas are challenging enough to make it interesting, but populist enough to make it fun. Don't miss this one.