From Indian Lakes - Am I Alive

From Indian Lakes recently released a rather cool video for their single “Am I Alive.” The video originally debuted over at Spin.com back in November.  

“Am I Alive” is an acoustic folk treat for the ears. I really enjoy lead singer Joey Vannucchi’s voice on this track. It’s soft, subtle, and an exceptional compliment to the music. This is a terrific song.

“Am I Alive” rocks!

Pete Yorn - An Artist You Should Know

Singer/Songwriter Pete Yorn is originally from New Jersey, which was enough of a reason for me to give his debut album, musicforthemorningafter a chance. Being that I’m from Jersey, any artist that hails from the Garden State usually gets my attention. Yorn was born and raised in Montville, a quaint town in the northwestern part of the state. He attended college at Syracuse University and then moved to Los Angeles, California shortly after graduating. It was there that he would record his magnificent debut album.

After his move, Yorn started performing all over the city. He slowly built a following and then attracted the attention of Columbia Records who signed him in 1999. His debut album, musicforthemorningafter, was released in 2001 to critical acclaim.

Musicforthemorningafter is one of the greatest debut albums ever released by an artist. This is both a blessing and a curse for Pete. Every album that has been released since his first work has been compared to it, fairly or not. Unfortunately, every album released since his debut has not been as grand. That’s not to say they weren’t great records, just not as spectacular as musicforthemorningafter.

Self taught on the drums and guitar from the age of 9, Pete Yorn is a true solo artist. He plays multiple instruments, arranges all of his songs, writes his own music and lyrics, and of course, sings his own songs. Yorn is definitely a rock and roll solo artist. On most of his albums he plays multiple instruments including guitars, drums, and bass. His music is a cross between early Springsteen, Ryan Adams, and Wilco. He is heavily influenced by 70s and 80s rock, most notably Kiss and Bruce Springsteen. Yorn has even released covers of Bruce Springsteen songs including New York City Serenade and Dancing In The Dark.

Pete Yorn is a unique style and sound that is hard to duplicate. On his more recent releases, he has leaned toward the acoustic side of his musical influences. Back and Fourth, his latest available solo CD, is mostly soft acoustic lacking in the harder rock edge that dominated his debut album. Yorn’s music has progressed over the years and evolved into a more New York coffee house style. As he has matured, so has his music. However, some fans and critics are still waiting for the next musicforthemorningafter. I don’t think that will happen. That was a time in Yorn’s life that he captured on record, and it is one that will never be duplicated.

His next record, Pete Yorn, is due out on September 28th. Your cousin Ryo is anxiously awaiting this release. I’ve loved all of Yorn’s records, and his last release even made it into my http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-10-favorite-releases-of-2009.html top ten records of 2009. This fall release is being called a record that rocks out. That has me smiling, because I’ve always felt that Yorn’s rockers were his best work. That’s where most of his energy is released and his true spirit emerges.

If you’ve never heard of Pete Yorn, now is the time to give his music a try. It will not disappoint. If you’re a fan of Son Volt, early Springsteen, or modern acoustic rock, you’ll love Pete Yorn. For more information and to check out his great music, visit www.peteyorn.com

Life On A Chain

Pete Yorn - Life on a Chain
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For Nancy (‘Cos It Already Is)


Crystal Village

From Good Homes Announces Show In Atlantic City

Some excellent news popped up in my in-box yesterday! From Good Homes is playing a show in Atlantic City on Saturday, September 4th. Labor Day Weekend in Atlantic City? Road trip anyone? Tickets go on sale this Friday (July 9th) at 10AM. The full press release is below.

July 6, 2010- Sparta, NJ- The members of From Good Homes have announced today that the band will perform a headline show at The Music Box, located within the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ on Saturday, September 4, 2010.

The show will be the band’s first headline show since their successful reunion in December 2009 at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ over 2 sold out nights. The band performed as part of The Mighty Music Festival in May. Prior to December, the band had not performed together since August of 1999.

The genesis of From Good Homes dates back to a high school band, when childhood friends Todd Sheaffer, Brady Rymer, and Patrick Fitzsimmons came together in rural, Northwestern New Jersey. Originally called “Old Crow”, and later evolving into “The Dogs”, the core line-up remained. With the addition of Dan Myers in 1988, and Jamie Coan in 1990, the band From Good Homes was fully formed.

The band’s upbeat approach, solid songwriting, and unique sound allowed them to quickly develop a dedicated following on the touring circuit. Bringing together rock, jazz, folk, celtic and jam-band influences under one umbrella, rooted in Todd Sheaffer’s inspired songwriting, From Good Homes forged their own, instantly lovable music. Their unique style prompted one critic to affectionately label the band’s blend of influences as “Hick-Pop”.

From Good Homes released 5 albums during their career- 3 on RCA Records- and performed over 1,500 shows across North America, including two tours with Dave Matthews Band and shows with Bob Dylan, Ratdog featuring Bob Weir, Widespread Panic, Hootie & The Blowfish, Blues Traveler and many more. In 1998, From Good Homes received an achievement award from Billboard Magazine and Irving Plaza for the most consecutive sold-out performances ever (12) at the New York City venue.

Tickets for the show are $35. They go on sale on Friday, July 9th at 10am ET and can be purchased at http://www.theborgata.com or by calling 866-900-4TIX (4849). More information can be found at http://www.fromgoodhomes.com or www.facebook.com/fromgoodhomes

From Good Homes is:
Todd Sheaffer – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Brady Rymer – bass, vocals
Patrick Fitzsimmons – drums
Dan Myers – saxophones, melodica, vocals
Jamie Coan – acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin, vocals

Pete Francis - The Movie We Are In

From the opening notes of Glue it is obvious that there is something very special happening on Pete Francis’ The Movie We Are In. The music is refreshing, not like anything heard before, yet not light years away from a familiar sound. Blending acoustic folk with modern rock, The Movie We Are In is an enjoyable array of musical styles.

At the center of the album is singer/songwriter/guitarist Pete Francis. Francis’ voice is soothing and soft, yet powerful when needed. A modern folk singer, Francis ability with the guitar is just as grand as his vocal talent. The 11 brand new tracks on The Movie We Are In showcase all of Francis’ talents and make this an album that will be listened to several times in a row.

The exceptional blend of acoustic folk, modern electric rock and keyboard driven funk is evident throughout this record. The styles fit together perfectly and Pete Francis makes the new songs stand out with his talent and ability. The lyrics are deep and moving, a result of the effort that Francis put into each individual song.

The album opens with the superb lead single Glue. This song blends so many styles that it’s near impossible to categorize the song into one particular genre. That’s the sign of an innovative songwriter. Music shouldn’t be categorized just for the sake of record sales and on Glue Francis is able to reach a wide array of audience. A complex organ intro leads into Francis’ fine guitar work and then his mellow vocals overtake the melody and make it a hit. A melodic modern acoustic rock track, Glue is an excellent opener and a great choice for lead single.

Good Man is the best song on The Movie We Are In. Kicking off with a sweet electric guitar riff before the drums come crashing in, Good Man is a foot tapping good time that will have you singing along immediately. The power of this song is instantaneous, and the track dominates the record. The keyboard backdrop adds to the song’s strength. There’s even a superb guitar solo at the middle of this track that just screams “rock on!” Francis brings the rock and roll on Good Man and his fans are bound to be happy that he did. The complex arrangement of Good Man really highlights Francis’ ability as a songwriter and arranger.

Songs like Red Cloud Road and Yellowbird show the softer side of Francis. Red Cloud Road has a Lou Reed vibe with soft vocals from Francis. The lyrics are intense and the mellow song is bound to be a future hit and fan favorite. Similarly, Yellowbird is mired in acoustic guitar and Hammond organ, saturated with Francis’ soft, sweet voice. Songs like these make Francis stand out as a modern folk hero.

With a hybrid of acoustic folk and electric rock, The Movie We Are In is a fantastic and fun record. Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally talented, Pete Francis is a musician that more people should be paying attention to. His lyrics are deep, his voice is excellent, and the music he creates is simply stunning. The Movie We Are In is a fine example of his work and an album worthy of adding to any music lover’s collection.

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Glue
Cartoon Sharks
Light Years
Good Man
Red Cloud Road
Love Shakes You Down
Light Up My Day
Yellow Bird
St. Pauls Fair
Constant Fire
I Didn’t Know I Built It

Dion Roy - The Nearest Light

Coming off his amazing debut album, Gallery, Dion Roy has returned with a treat for the ears. A four-track EP, The Nearest Light is his latest offering. The first thought that comes to mind when listening to The Nearest Light is how utterly fantastic it is. Usually four song EPs are nothing more than stop gaps to hold fans over until the next real project. That’s not the case with The Nearest Light. This is four excellent songs that every fan of Dion Roy is bound to love. While Gallery was mostly acoustic folk with slower melodies, The Nearest Light is backed by a full band (although, I believe Dion played most of the instruments himself), and has a much heavier sound. This new style only enhances the musical experience and shows the depth of Dion Roy.

The EP opens with the lead single, The Wave. This is one of Dion’s strongest songs and an excellent introduction to the new direction of his music. The electric guitar and crashing drum beats are noticeable right away. Dion’s voice never sounded better than it does on this track. The Wave has summer hit written all over it. A heavier rock melody, The Wave is an excellent opening track and a solid rock song.

Dirty Hotel Scenery is the next song and is just as enjoyable as the previous track. A fast paced, foot tapping, modern folk song, Dirty Hotel Scenery is magnificent. The guitars (both electric and acoustic) are prominent, and Dion’s voice resonates strong. This is another fun-filled summertime tune that deserves to be blaring from car stereos while cruising the strip down the shore.

Of Grey could possibly be the best Dion Roy song ever recorded. This track is deep with musical layers. Dion’s voice turns dark and husky, which is fitting for this melody. The song starts slow and melodic before exploding into an intense hook that is stark and powerful. The musical changes on Of Grey are detailed and delightful. A lot of thought went into the creation of this song and it shows. The most advanced Dion Roy song I’ve heard, Of Grey is his best song to date.

The EP closes with Long Way Down, a superb rock song that is coated in Dion’s signature soft toned style. Another song routed deep in melody changes throughout, Long Way Down solidifies the evolution of Dion Roy. Another strong song backed by a full band, Long Way Down closes out this EP in style. If the future of Dion Roy is going to sound like this, then please sign me up for all his subsequent releases!

The Nearest Light is available on ITunes now. Visit http://www.dionroy.com/ for details and to pick up your copy. You need to own this EP.

Track Listing
The Wave
Dirty Hotel Scenery
Of Grey
Long Way Down

More Cool New Music For Ya

This time around it’s Pete Francis. The song is called Glue and I think you’re going to love it. Expect a review of the entire album in the upcoming weeks. Pete Francis’ new album, The Movie We Are In, will be released in May. Want to know more, visit http://www.petefrancis.com/



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Doug Keith - The Lucky Ones

Filled with rich melodies, deep harmonies, thought provoking lyrics, and the unique, soft, baritone voice of Doug Keith, The Lucky Ones is the nicest surprise to come out on CD in 2010 thus far. Without question, The Lucky Ones is one of the best albums I have listened to this year.
The Lucky Ones opens with the deeply moving We Left Everything. This is a terrific lead track that tells the story of a confused protagonist in a quarter-life crisis of uncertainty. The booze and the pills and the slacker attitude have caught up and now there’s concern over what to do next. Anchored with a catchy 4-beat riff and containing nothing but Keith’s vocals and acoustic guitar, We Left Everything is an excellent introduction to the extremely talented Doug Keith.

Things crank up for the 3rd track, the heavy rocking Maria del Bosco. This is the hardest song on the disc and one of the few that contain an electric guitar. It’s hard to know exactly what this song is about. Not being well versed in the artistic indie films, I had to research the term. However, this speaks to the song’s brilliance because it shows how riveting the lyrics are. While Maria del Bosco may refer to the 2009 movie of the same name, it’s more likely that it is a reference to the 2002 off-off Broadway show. The subtitle was Sex Opera and Racing Cars. In the song, Keith sings “…the racing cars…” He also sings, “I saw you in Maria del Bosco, I think you were Maria del Bosco.” Regardless of what the song is in reference to, the lyrics make the listener think, always a sign of a brilliant song.

Lyrical content is one of the strongest assets on The Lucky Ones. There is no lyrical filler. There are no repeated phrases for the sake of closing out the song. Every verse is well thought out, carefully considered, and given final scrutiny before being included. The lyrics in this album are intense.

The acoustical guitar picking returns on one of the disc’s strongest tracks, The Echo Will Fade. This song is modern folk at its finest with content that is so well constructed it creates a perfect blend of music, voice, and words. The Echo Will Fade shows that Keith, as a performer, is beyond brilliant. At times, he is pure genius.

Female guest vocals by Courtney Kaiser and violin interludes by Margaret White help to round out the record, creating a deeper palate of sound for ear consumption. At the center of it all though lies Doug Keith. His voice is the perfect fit for his guitar and lyrics. His talent as a musician and entertainer is matchless. If Doug Keith continues to make albums like The Lucky Ones, he is going to have an exceptional future in the world of music.

Highlighted by deep lyrics and smooth vocals, The Lucky Ones is definitely a front runner for 2010 album of the year. I rarely shout that you must own an album, but if you purchase only one record this year, it has to be The Lucky Ones.

The Lucky Ones will be available on Tuesday, March 30th. Visit http://www.dougkeith.com/ for more information.

Ryo’s Rating: 9 (out of 10)

Track Listing
We Left Everything
The Lucky Ones
Maria del Bosco
The Lowest Low
The Echo Will Fade
Don’t Let Your Darkness Overtake You
Skip James Radio
On the Kid & the Days
Arms Heavy
Come Back Become
Just the Coming Home

Dion Roy - February 19, 2010

As much as I love attending large rock shows, at arenas and stadiums, there is something very soothing about seeing an artist perform at a small club or bar. There is an intimacy there that cannot be matched anywhere else. That is why when Dion Roy announced a club show, on his birthday, less than an hour from my house, I jumped at the chance to go.

The Crossroads is a great place to see a local act live. There is a nice small stage set up for the performers. The acoustics in the room are solid. With a maximum occupancy of 200, this is a very intimate setting for a live musical performance. The stage is quaint. There is just enough room for four performers to stand on it (with a drum kit). If the band wants to move around a lot, they are going to have to leave the stage to do it.

Dion Roy was performing with 3 other acts, but his was the one that I wanted to see. Having been a fan since last summer’s release of Gallery, I had been meaning to see Dion live. This was an excellent opportunity for me to do just that.

Taking the stage early in the night (as he was the first act) and standing alongside his partner, Pete Mere, Dion kicked off the set with a brand new song called Long Way Down. Incredible. I thought Gallery was chock full of exceptional material, but Long Way Down was an excellent tune, and I’m hopeful that it will be released in some format in the near future.

Come Back Around quickly followed and found most of the crowd (all sitting near the stage, all fans of Dion Roy) singing along word for word, myself included. The song sounded great live. With the two acoustic guitars giving a solid performance, it was a pleasure to listen to.

My favorite Dion Roy song came next, You Can’t Take. This is a powerful song and in the live setting it was even greater. The twin guitar attack, Dion’s solid vocals, and intimacy of the atmosphere all blended together to make this song an amazing experience. You Can’t Take was the first Dion Roy song that stayed with me and it’s one of his best, so I was extremely grateful to hear it live.

Dirty Hotel Scenery was another new song that Dion performed on that night. While I love his debut album Gallery (as made apparent by the fact that it was in my top 10 last year), the new songs were outstanding. They really made me yearn for another Dion Roy release as soon as possible, which is what they were supposed to do, I guess.

The set closed out with Wants It, a great track from Gallery. Since he was the first act to go on, Dion Roy had a short and sweet performance that left me wanting more. If he comes around to the area again (which I’m sure he will), I will be attending another show, hopefully a headliner’s set so I can enjoy a longer performance.

As for the new stuff, well, there are rumors that it will be out in some form very soon. I can’t wait for that. I would love to have those songs to enjoy on a regular basis. If you have the chance to see Dion Roy in concert, do yourself a favor and go. It is an intimate, pleasurable music experience that you are bound to enjoy.

Setlist
Long Way Down
Come Back Around
You Can’t Take
Won’t Go On
Dirty Hotel Scenery
Wants It

Tom Morello The Nightwatchman: Live At Lime

Tom Morello, in collaboration with LimeWire store, recently released a 2-song single as The Nighwatchman (his alter ego), Live At Lime. This single is available for purchase, and all proceeds go to benefit Amnesty International. This is a great cause and for the price of a Coke, you get two amazing live acoustic tracks.

The first is a brilliant cover of The Killers Human, which is stunning. Sounding eerily like David Bowie, Morello performs a stripped down, intense version of this song. The second track is Joe Hill, a cover of an old folk song, sung often by Pete Seeger and Joan Baez separately, based on the 1925 poem written by Alfred Hayes. The song is brilliant and these two tracks are powerful acoustic music that’s really worth their 99 cent price tag.

If you’re a fan of Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, acoustic music, or Tom Morello in general, you’ll want to add these two songs to your collection. You’ll also be helping out a good cause at the same time. You can purchase the songs here: www.store.limewire.com/morello

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