Music review post since I have nothing better

Okay, since I once again lack original thought, I will fall back on my crutch of music reviews. Today I will cover Radford's 2004 release Sleepwalker. Tomorrow, Jenny Labow's 2007 release Sunday Morning, and Saturday Anberlin's 2007 release Cities.

Sleepwalker is another acquisition based solely on my time at Alternative Addiction. In a simple description, it will come across as radio friendly alternative; though throughout the disc there are much deeper lyrics and many more style changes than have become expected for radio bands these days (probably one of the reasons Radford didn't make radio). The lead track is a personal favorite of mine partially because a chapter in my life can relate to it. "Therapy (I don't need you) is a solid up tempo rock track featuring a tale of falling apart with an unwillingness to accept help from others as the fall takes place. "Fake a Smile" is another highlight filling the role nicely of the ballad of a dysfunctional relationship while still showing detailed seemingly heartfelt lyrics which drive the song but don't seem as forced as some efforts in the genre. "Beautiful" provides a rare glimpse of happiness in it's chorus which is a welcome deviation from so of the more melancholy acts.

Sleepwalker features two other well-crafted ballads in the tracks "Out of the Dark" and "Anything" "Out of the Dark" being almost a cry for help while "Anything" is a plea for a second chance. The ballads in the latter half of the disc are separated with two strong energy songs. "Someone Somewhere" is a good anger management tune with the away message worthy lyric "you've mistaken me for someone who cares." "Long Way Down" is another fun song for me with the references to character coming out of shells. It resonates with my mood often. Radford isn't OLP though at times they sound similar. so there are a couple tracks that don't relate as well, but all together Sleepwalker is an enjoyable listen.

8/10

Justice and Mercy Reviewed

Tuesday night I made the voyage to Warehouse Live for a night of entertainment. It was day two of the Justice and Mercy tour featuring Texas' own Flyleaf. As a known flyleaf apologist those of you that know me knew I had to be there. The night started off well with LA's Resident Hero. I as has become a pattern lately was a couple songs late for the opening act but the 5 songs I did hear were good. They were able to get the crowd into the show and still appear to have fun doing so which is fun to see. They still seem a little green in terms of overall stage show but they will get better and being good friends with Flyleaf will give them a publicity boost. As a side note for those of you who have the Flyleaf, Ryan from Resident Hero guest appears on "So I Thought" and one other song.

Second up was Dallas' Fair to Midland. These guys put out interesting music which may take some getting used to for the unfamiliar. Guitars and keyboards mix with samples to construct a multilayered musical experience. Frontman Darroh Sudderth often bounces around the stage frantically almost as if on the verge of a psychotic episode which could be alarming to some. Darroh has an amazing vocal range which allows most of the music to work and build to crowds energy after the initial shock has worn off. Songs of note were "Walls of Jericho", "Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes", and "Dance of the Manatee."

Tennessee-based Christian rock group Skillet was next up. Playing mostly songs from their new album Comatose, they started with a very energetic version of "Whspers in the Dark", a driving rock song which had the crowd responding. Throughout the set, Skillet made use of a smoke machine and steam fountains to produce solid effects and a quality stage show. Other quality songs included "Better than Drugs", "Rebirthing" and the radio single "The Older I Get".

Finally, Texas' own Flyleaf took the stage beginning with "Red Sam." The band showed a tremendous amount of energy as their stage show improves each time I see them. Members of the crowd around me were as usual impressed with Lacey's voice and her stage presence, but the fan reaction was due to the full bands efforts. The setlist included four new songs, two of which I don't know titles for. "Justice and Mercy" and "Much Like Falling" were outstanding and were thankfully included in the Music as a Weapon charity EP. The entire self-titled debut was played with the exception of "Perfect." The performances of "Fully Alive" and "There For You" had strong crowd reaction/involvement. "So I Thought" was an outstanding song and featured a guest appearance from Ryan of Resident Hero. The "closer" of the set was a solid rendition of "I'm So Sick" . A three-song encore followed ending with the usual crowd-assisted rendition of "Cassie."

Having seen them 5 times I didn't stick for the Paris Green after show performance though I am a fan and do recommend them for anyone in Houston.

Thanks for reading as always.

Long time no blog music reviews part one

Okay, loyal reader. I am a condemnable slacker but you knew that already. Since I haven't had time for pithy political insight and we're in the sports wasteland that is March, I shall fall back on staple topic #3. Tonight I review music which is not new but is new to me.

First up the 2002 effort from Ohio-based July for Kings called Swin. This is a standard radio alternative effort. Many of the songs were actually used at the time for shows like the Real World and other such reality TV. It however took exposure through Alternative Addiction for me to realize Swim was a worthwhile effort. I understand I'm flying directly in the face of AMG with this one, but that's normal.
Most of the songs like "Normal Life" and "Girlfriend" are well-crafted lyrically even if their sound is processed to be media friendly. "Normal Life" is a simple tune about wanting to essentially live the standard American dream. "Girlfriend" is a typical tale of missing a loved one though I enjoy the interplay between the typical longing and an apparent desire to find religion. "Meteor Flower" is a poignant ballad which stands out among the other tracks. Other solid tracks include "Without Wings", "New Black Car", and "Champagne".

Overall Swim is a solid effort though it won't stand out amongst the best of rock history.

6.5 of 10

Song Lyric of the Day
"Dial 7 for a savior
Is this soul keeping please?
Can you put me through to Jesus?
I'll pay the long distance fees
He said "hello, God bless you son"
"There's a Bible in the drawer"
That's wonderful sir
But I don't read it anymore"
July for Kings -- "Girlfriend"