New Music Monday..err...Tuesday goes to The Civil Wars!

The Civil Wars is probably one of the most underrated music duo ever. Their album, "Barton Hollow" is so simple and pure, I just love it! I play the song, "Poison And Wine" atleast once a day, and I'm still obsessed with it. They're so good! Check out The Civil Wars ASAP!

Lifehouse's Keane cover gets this week's Cover Friday!

Lifehouse performed a cover of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know", and took the song to a whole new level. As much as I love the orignal, I think Jason's vocals were full of the emotion Keane lacked, and made the song that much more connectable. I was blown away by Jason's vocal and range, and I believe it is even better than the orignal. Bravo, Lifehouse!

5/5 stars!

"New Music Monday" Week 1 artist Goes To Cavo!

Every Monday I'll post a new artist or song that I've discovered that I think everyone should check out!

This week's "New Music Monday" artist goes out to the band Cavo! I know I'm kind of cheating this week because Cavo is in no way new to me or this world, but they need some recognition and support, so here it goes!

I saw Cavo opening for Lifehouse and Daughtry on May 9th, 2010. I had heard their songs "Let It Go" and "Champagne" before, and was a fan of both songs. I played "Let It Go" quite a bit, and was pretty excited that they were opening the concert. Their set was fantastic and they sounded GREAT, so immediately after the concert I went to their merch booth to purchase their album and proceeded to get in line to meet them. All of the guys were so humble and nice, and they signed my CD and I got a picture with them. They were the first band that I had ever met, and it was a great experience.

On the way home from Seattle the next day I listened to their album, "Bright Nights Dark Days", and just LOVED it. I had heard a lot of the songs played at the concert, and hearing those songs on the album brought back those awesome concert memories and feelings. It's such an underrated album that really deserves more attention.

It's been over a year and a half, and their album STILL brings back those feelings and memories. Cavo can put on a superb show, and Casey (their vocalist), sounds just as great live as he does on their album. I'm really excited for their second album, "Thick As Thieves", to be released, as I am SURE it will be just as, if not more amazing.

Check Cavo out!!

First week of Cover Friday goes to SafetySuit!

Cover Friday! Every Friday I'll post an amazing song cover that I think you should check out! This week's is SafetySuit's live cover of "Hallelujah"! This cover gives me chills and I even teard up the first time I heard it. I've been hoping to see SafetySuit cover this song for some time now, so I'm so excited they finally did!Fingers crossed they'll someday record it and release it online! Super impressed. Check it out!

 http://www.youtube.com/watchv=0roBvDmVYYo&feature=related 

The Fray proves they haven't gone anywhere with "Heartbeat"!

I've always been a fan of The Fray, so to see them putting out new music finally is really exciting for me. "Heartbeat" is classic The Fray. Good hook, catchy chorus and beat, and gets stuck in your head the first time you hear it. Slade's voice is still just as unique and gorgeous and as I remember, and it's apparent that they're sticking to their roots.

The Fray's definitely found the formula that works for them and that formula without fail gives them hits. It's a great song, yes, but it certainly isn't their best. As much as I love them, I just wish they would be a bit risky and release something a little less predictable. I think "Heartbeat" shows some progression and maturity musically, but I wish they would push themselves a little more sonically.

"Heartbeat" for sure leaves me wanting more from them, and it makes me so excited for their new album! And who knows, maybe there are some songs on this album that aren't so predictable. I'm sure it will be a great album regardless, but a successful band needs to grow and evolve, not duplicate. I have faith in The Fray, still love them, and "Heartbeat" is still a fantastic song!

I give "Heartbeat" 4/5 stars!

SafetySuit excels with "These Times".

After (somewhat) patiently waiting over 3 years, multiple set release dates to only be pushed back again, and throwing out an almost completed album just to start over again, SafetySuit's sophomore album, "These Times" was released wide on January 10th, and on Itunes January 3rd. To no surprise at all, this album exceeds all expectations, and is pure perfection. "These Times" has been getting a lot of buzz, and it's well deserved. Almost immediately after the Itunes release, it shot up to the #2 spot on the Itunes Albums Chart, and even temporarily pushed Adele out of the #1 spot. "These Times" also debuted at #7 on Billboard.com's Top 200.

One of the things I love the most about "These Times" is that there's a song to fit every situation you could possibly be going through, and connects to how you are feeling. Whether you're happy or sad, or experiencing love, loss, heartbreak, or anything in between, SafetySuit has a song for you. These guys know how to reach out to people.

"These Times" starts off on a high note with one of the heaviest songs on the album, "Believe", and ends with the thought and emotion provoking, "Life In The Pain". The album sequence is absolutely perfect, and each song flows perfectly into the next. There's not one song on the album that you could possibly skip.

The title track, and current single, "These Times" is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, and I think EVERYONE can relate to it. With the economy and tragedies this world has been facing, "These Times" is really a song that everyone should hear right now, and a song that everyone should live by, with its inspirational line, "These times are hard, but they will pass".

It's next to impossible to pick favorites from this album, but a few songs that I've had on repeat lately are, "Stranger", "Staring At It", and "Never Stop". These songs are so catchy and relatable. Don't be surprised if you find yourself randomly singing these songs in your head, or even out loud. Be sure to purchase the bonus song, "You Don't See Me" off of Itunes as well, as it is also an amazingly touching song.

"These Times" has and will continue to give SafetySuit the recognition that they most definitely deserve. Do yourself a favor, and go buy "These Times".

 I give it 5/5 stars.

Daughtry's "Break The Spell" for the win!

Daughtry's new album, "Break The Spell", is nothing short of amazing. As a huge Daughtry fan I had high expectations for their 3rd album, and they definitely did not disappoint. From starting the album with the heavy rock anthem "Renegade", and ending it with the sweet and heartfelt "Lullaby", this album just flows. Each band member's talent really shines through in this album, and I feel like this album showcases their musical abilities more than in the previous two albums. With the heavy hitting and catchy drums beats, sweet guitar riffs, and the impressive and apparent bass guitar, this album just doesn't stop. Chris Daughtry's song writing skills and vocals are more impressive than ever before, and he even shared the songwriting spotlight with bassist Josh Paul. This album was created by the band as a whole, and you can hear it. This album will be in the stereo for a long time to come. "Break The Spell" has something to offer for everyone. Whether you prefer the heavier rock songs like "Renegade", "Outta My Head", "Break The Spell", "Who's They", and "Maybe We're Already Gone", the radio friendly "Crawling Back To You", "Spaceship", "Rescue Me", "Losing My Mind" "Everything But Me", and "Louder Than Ever", or the heart wrenching "Gone Too Soon" and "Lullaby", this album has something for you. I give "Break The Spell" an easy 5/5 stars!