New Music for the Summer

The little band from East LA is back with a new disc. After 30 years in the business Los Lobos have perfected their seamless combination of blues, roots rock, and traditional Mexican folk. "Tin Can Trust" opens with the peaceful, breezy sounding "Burn It Down"; followed by the blues tinged "On Main Street" and then the party gets started with the cumbia sounds of "Yo Canto." After listening to Tin Can Trust and hearing the consistency in their body of work, it becomes easy to understand why Los Lobos have been known as one of the greatest American rock and roll bands in the history of the genre. On their fourth disc (released back in '84) the band once asked the question" Will the Wolf Survive?" Thankfully, "Tin Can Trust" answers the question with a resounding yes.

A-

Don't Say No '" Billy Squier (Reissue)

If you remember the glam rock scene of the 80's then you will undoubtedly remember Billy Squier. Now to be fair, Squier did not "glam" it up in the 80's and his career flamed out after his "prancing on satin sheets" video, got played on MTV, but (believe it or not) at one time, he was known as a one man Led Zeppelin with his soaring vocal range, guitar histrionics and heavy (Zepplinesque) chord progressions. After thirty years, Billy Squier's "Don't Say No" has been re-released and surprisingly enough it still holds up. Signature hits such as "The Stroke", "Lonely is the Night" and "My Kind of Lover" are two parts nostalgia combined with great hooks, melodies and some vintage guitar work that will make today's young bands take copious notes. The reissue even comes with two live performances from 2009. "Don't Say No" is a timeless piece of hard rock and it proves that "The Stroke" is indeed alive and well.

B+

Something for Everybody - Devo

After their show stopping performances at this years Coachella festival and KROQ Weenie Roast, Devo have returned with a new studio album. The title of the disc rings true. The band has returned with a disc that features a true update on their 80's sound with a little bit of techno, dance rhythms, alternative rock and "robot disco". This latest soundtrack of de-evolution has a modern edge to it and the sound is not dated at all. Songs such as "What We Do", Don't Shoot (I'm A Man)" and the dance/punk "Please Baby Please" find the veteran new wavers at the top of their game. Take a trip back to the future and check out this latest release from your favorite "spuds" from Akron, Ohio.

A-

FM Arcade '" The Cannon Logic

It can be hard to find young bands that can combine adept songwriting with soaring melodies and precision musicianship. The Cannon Logic's debut disc "FM Arcade" is a welcome breath of fresh air. The "Logic" is a young east coast band with a knack for intricate story telling and wonderfully melodic, alternative pop. It may be hard to pinpoint a direct influence on the band, and that may be the key ingredient that makes the young group so special. Piano driven numbers give way to shimmering guitars, melodic vocals and witty story telling. Take a trip through the "FM Arcade" and check out The Cannon Logic. If it's a crime for a young band to be this good, then The Cannon Logic is guilty as charged.

B+

Bears and Bulls '" The Stone Foxes

The Stone Foxes are (another) a young band with a very old school sound. You see, The Stone Foxes are singing the blues and when they do it you will feel/hear the spirit of Muddy Waters on every tune. You may hear The Kings Of Leon or The Black Crowes on their debut disc but to be clear, the band is going straight to the source with their razor sharp take on the blues. Admittedly, the disc starts off rocky with the countrified/ho down "Stomp" but then the group hits their stride with a serious brand of blues rock with the tune "Patience". By the time the track "I Killed Robert Johnson" kicks in you are in the middle of a blues rock free for all. The Stone Foxes' kick out the blues powered jams with a precision and passion that is usually the stomping grounds (no pun intended) of rock veterans. It's been a while since the blues have sounded so fresh, so good and so modern.

B

Reflection Eternal '" Revolutions Per Minute

For those not in the know, Reflection Eternal is the hip-hop tag team of lyricist/mc Talib Kweli and producer dj Hi-Tek. The duo is one of the architects of conscious hip-hop (along with Mos Def, Common and The Roots). On this disc the duo take a soulful approach with regards to production and Kweli is given a chance to recite his political and cultural manifestos over beats that give off a Stax-era vibe. On paper it sounds like a perfect combination but in reality the disc takes too long to get going or capture the listener's imagination. What has made this hip-hop duo appealing is the call to arms urgency Talib Kweli has had as an mc. From the sound of the disc it seems like the revolution may not be televised because the revolutionaries in charge are taking a nap! Here's hoping that Reflection Eternal can re-ignite the spark they once had on their next disc in order to re-energize hip-hop.

C-/D+