Artist: Amber Pacific
Album: Virtues
Label: Victory Records
To Be Released on: April 13, 2010

Artist: TwentyFour64
Album: Necessity To Know (Remixes & B-Sides)
Label: None
Released on: March 16, 2010

Review

Recently TwentyFour64 re-designed their MySpace page with new graphics, new pictures, and of course they added new music. The band just released a Free EP composed of remixes, acoustics, b-sides and one new song.

The EP opens up with the band’s first single “We Are Taking Over”. This song has already been remixed once. It was first featured on their debut album Know Me, but it had quite a long introduction, so they radio edited it. The band has continually pushed this song for radio play. It’s a great song, but not their best in my opinion. “Forgot to Breathe” is the only new song on the EP, but it could have easily been part of Know Me. This is a great song, and it kind of shows the direction the band will be taking with their new album, focusing more on rock rhythms and less on their Jazz/R&B sound. Next is “Necessity To Know”. This song was also part of Know Me but it was called “Our Necessity”. This is not really much of a remix, but just a better recording of the same song. Both “Free & Captured” and “Embers” seem to be acoustic versions. I really enjoy the acoustic guitars on “Free & Captured”. “Embers” was first featured on Know Me as a bonus track. The name of this song also changed a bit, as it used to be called “Secret Embers”. The last two tracks “A Season” and “Fields on Fire” are the ones that have really been remixed. “A Season” has been layered with a new ambient sound, while “Fields on Fire” has a complete new sound filled with techno/dance beats.

“Know Me” was an excellent album, but its recording quality was low. You will notice an incredible difference on the recording when you listen to this EP. It seems as though their songs came to life. Now you can clearly hear each instrument, especially on the acoustic version of Free & Captured and Embers. Perhaps the only flaw in this album is the omission of “Make My Day” which was by far their best song on Know Me.

Here are 3 reasons you should download TwentyFour64’s new EP:

1. It’s FREE!
2. It’s good music!
3. The recording quality is excellent!

Download Necessity To Know.

Artist: Poema
Album: Sing It Now
Label: Tooth & Nail
To Be Released: March 23, 2010

Review

Poema is the proof that Tooth & Nail Records is always looking into expanding their roster’s variety. The label that started out with rock bands now offers a little of everything. Poema is the label’s latest addition. Sing It Now the band’s first EP is a blend of acoustic/pop sometimes fused with a bit of country. Poema’s music is quite delightful. Elle & Shealeen voices sound great with the acoustic guitars as accompaniment. It’s easy to see why T&N would want to invest in their careers, especially now that this genre of music is expanding.

Catchy choruses, soothing guitars, some basic drumming, and the occasional use of other string instruments is pretty much what you will find on every track on Sing It Now. They almost sound like a mix between Colbie Caillat and Taylor Swift. The dual vocals also contributes to the overall listening experience. Elle & Shealeen center their lyrics around girl/boy love stories, without getting into much detail. “City Boy” and “Blue Sweater” are two songs that really stand out.

Though Sing It Now sounds great, there’s some room left for improvements. The lack of originality is what weighs most against them. This genre of music is saturated with bands nowadays. And while their voices are perfect, Elle & Shealeen could push it much further. Pop music fans will be pleased with their sound, but Tooth & Nail fans that are used to indie bands might be a little disappointed.

Overall I’m very surprised with Poema’s Sing it Now EP. It has it’s small flaws, but it’s very pleasant to my ears. I didn’t know what to expect when I first heard them, but I definitely enjoy it.

Artist: Flatfoot 56
Album: Black Thorn
Label: Old Shoe Records
Released on: March 17, 2010

Artist: Surfer Blood
Album: Astro Coast
Label: Kanine Records
Released on: January 19, 2010

Artist: Brett Dennen
Album: Live Session (iTunes Exclusive)
Label: Downtown Records
Released on: November 3, 2009

Artist: The Classic Crime
Album: Vagabonds
Label: Tooth & Nail
To Be Released: April 6, 2010

Review

Spring is finally here and so is Vagabonds, the third full length album by The Classic Crime. The band once again invested a lot of hard work to make Vagabonds a complete project, by making sure that every song on the album counts.
What differs most Vagabonds from previous albums is the attitude that the album presents. The band is a lot more relaxed both musically and lyrically. The heavy topics are only part of a couple of songs – and although the there’s still a lot of spiritual content present, its’ definitely not as “on your face” as it was on The Silver Cord. Matt put aside his “life and death” metaphors and picked up a little of happiness, joy and life making the record a lot more approachable. The music also reflects most of these changes, keeping the sound simple and not overproduced. The band experimented quite a bit with playing fast chords. Sometimes it even seems that some songs are being fast forwarded (e.g.. “Different Now” and “Four Chords”). Overall the album is very well balanced keeping a happy mood throughout without losing meaning. “My Name” (which was actually written when the band was recording The Silver Cord), “Count”, “Everything & Nothing” still hold a lot of spiritual significance, reflecting back to the likes of The Silver Cord. Even though Matt sings about a wide range of topics the overall feeling you get from the album is that the band has finally come to terms with themselves. They know where they are going, they feel that they have reached a place where they can glance back on the past few years and move forward, full of hope and joy.

If there’s one thing that was a let down on The Silver Cord (released in 2008) was the lack of *bridges. Though the album was fantastic it really seemed like something was missing towards the end of several songs. Thankfully on Vagabonds that has changed. The songs have a completion both lyrically and musically. Songs like “The Happy Nihilist”, “Solar Powered Life” and “Broken Mess” stretch Matt’s vocals to the max. They won’t leave you hanging.

The last two songs on Vagabonds are my favorites. “Different Now” is a honest song about relationships taking a look not only at good times but also at the hard times. It sounds different from anything the band has ever played. “Broken Mess” is a rather personal and tragic story about a broken relationship where ultimate forgiveness and mercy play a key role. As Matt explains “it’s my response to a pretty dramatic situation that happened to him [his brother.]” It’s incredibly hard to find lyrics like the one on this song out there. It’s incredibly hard to find people singing about forgiveness, especially when it comes to unfaithfulness. The only song that doesn’t stand out too much on the album is “The Count”. It sounds too similar to songs on The Silver Cord or even on Albatross. It just seems to be misplaced.

Vagabonds is a complete album from start to finish. The recording is excellent, the lyrics are cheerful and meaningful. Matt’s voice is clear and you will be singing along with him before you know it. It will be hard, really hard for the The Classic Crime to record something as good as Vagabonds again.

* You know, that part of the song that it’s not the chorus and it’s a verse.

Artist: Flyleaf
Album: Memento Mori
Label: A&M / Octone
Released on: November 10, 2009

Artist: Deas Vail
Album: Birds & Cages
Label: Mono Vs. Stereo
Released on: January 26, 2010

Digital Release: October 23, 2009

Artist: The Almost
Album: Monster Monster
Label: Tooth & Nail
Released on November 3, 2009