New Music to Get You Through the Summer

So now that American Idol has come and gone and someone has found the guts to stand up to those so called artists who use auto-tuners in their songs (nicely done Jay-Z) I KNOW you are ready for some new sounds from old favorites and new bands and artists. Here is just a sample of what you should already own! Enjoy the list, and the music.

Silversun Pickups - Swoon

The Silversun Pickups sophomore release "Swoon" truly finds the band at the top of their game. They not only retain their sound of fuzzy guitars, haunting melodies and vocals and eerie keyboards but they have expanded on it. On tunes like "Panic Room"," The Royal We" and "Sort of" The "Pickups" prove that a heady indie rock band with a unique sound and twisted lyrics can make the masses come to them. Summer, modern rock radio just got a little bit better thanks to the Silversun Pickups.

Tinted Windows - Tinted Windows

Take Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) and Taylor Hanson (Hanson), put them all together and you get Tinted Windows, a power pop supergroup with enough hooks to stock a bait n' tackle shop for years to come! While Hanson croons the melodies Iha adds the loud crunchy guitars The band is more Cheap Trick than Pumpkins and the group as a whole isn't breaking any new ground but you'll find yourself singing along every time Hanson wails, "come on, and come on"and"whoa, whoa!!" If you miss The Knack or The Raspberries Tinted Windows, like their song implies, has "got something" for ya!

Asher Roth - Asleep in the Bread Aisle

Asher Roth is a hip-hop mc from the suburbs of Pennsylvania. He loves college but he also doesn't mind being introspective (Fallin', His Dream). Roth hits his stride when he raps about having a good time and partying and yes he falters a bit when he tries to get political, but give the young mc a little time. With the right support (and if he puts down the beer bong) he could become a hip-hop heavyweight with something poignant to say.

311 - Uplifter

311 have been together for nineteen years and they may have just released their heaviest record yet! Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue) produced the record and moves the band into a heavier sound without sacrificing their mix of rock, rap and reggae. 311 are still all about the unity on this latest effort and the band still believes "a song could stop a war". The band may come off as a bit "hippie" but in an era dominated by "change" and "hope" its nice to have 311 back to bring a ballsy, heavy soundtrack to the unity party.

Butterfly Boucher - Scary Fragile

Butterfly Boucher is an indie rock singer/songwriter who wears her heart on her sleeve. Her songs are emotional truths with more than just a bit of wit and edge. On her second disc Boucher combines a bit of truth and vulnerability with an undeniable indie rock sound. She also brings guitars, bass, piano and drums and she plays them all!! She will make you laugh with tunes like "Tongue for a Gun" and make you weep with "Bitter Song". Boucher will disarm you with her charm and win you over with her honesty.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' latest disc will make you a believer in the idea of dance punk. "Its Blitz" may be a little more dance and techno oriented than past releases but they still retain a "punky" edge to their pulsating beats. The band seems hell bent on sounding like a jacked up Eurythmics meets Gang of Four. While Karen O makes your heard spin with her intimate, intricate melodies and lyrics, Nick Zimmer and Brian Chase keep the beats pumping throughout the vibrant mix. When Karen sings "you're a zero" you won't take offense at all, you'll want to wear the label as a badge of honor.

Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 - White Lies for Dark Times

Ben Harper has always been a rocker trapped in a Jam band's...band. He has a new group backing him and while he can still write the heartfelt folksy ballad (Skin Thin) and the jam band tribute tune (Why Must You Always Dress in Black) his new band powers him into heavy rock territory (Shimmer and Shine, Keep it Together, Number With No Name) with serious confidence and swagger. At times it sounds like Mr. Harper is being backed by Queens of the Stone Age! His hardcore fans will be startled at first but after a few listens they will simply concur and say, "It's about time Ben, thank you!"

Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club

Politically charged rap/rock is back. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) and Boots Riley (The Coup) have joined forces to fight the powers that be with their new project. SSSC is full of intense rock riffs courtesy of Morello and incendiary lyrics from Riley from everything about the treatment of the poor to war overseas, to the bail out of the banks. Obama may have taken office but for this rap/rock tag team la lucha continua. What Boots may lack in vocal firepower and brimstone he makes up for with cleverly written lyrics, (May you tumble and fall down your grand marble stairway, may that caviar pate you were eating block your airway, may your manservant deliver the heimlich with honor, may this make you vomit on your Dolce Gabbana). Morello's new project may not have the slam bang of his previous outfit but SSSC knows how to keep you on your feet and get you to brace yourself for the coming revolution.

Eyedea & Abilities - By The Throat

To call Eyedea & Abilities just a rap group is a misnomer. These representatives of the Rhymsayers label combine jazz, punk rock; techno and the kitchen sink to their brand of hip-hop. The lyrics are introspective and lead rapper Eyedea, at times sounds like he's crying and pouring his heart out to the listener. Is this emo/jazz/techno rap? Possibly not, but their disc just might be the most challenging hip-hop cd you purchase if you so choose to give them a spin this summer.

P.O.S - Never Better

If you want to hear more challenging hip-hop then POS might be just what the doctor ordered. Never Better has more of a punk rock feel than POS's last record but that makes sense since the mc also leads a hardcore band called Build Better Bombs. Make no mistake this is a dirty hip-hop/punk rock record and that's just the way POS wanted it. For POS challenging times deserve a challenging soundtrack and this punk rock minded mc is more than happy to oblige.

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

Green Day has finally followed up their last disc (American Idiot) with another concept/rock opera album. 21st Century Breakdown tells the story of a society at the edge of hope and despair. The band paints a rock and roll picture of where we are and where we could be headed, depending on which path we take. The disc chronicles the lives of two fictional characters, Christian and Gloria. They have been let down in our society by the church (East Jesus Nowhere) the state (21 Guns) and basically every adult they have ever known. The couple is forced to take care of each other because no one else will. While Green Day may channel Queen, Mott the Hoople and the pageantry and bombast of arena rock at the end of the day, they are still a scrappy punk band with a lot of thoughtful things to say about the society we live in.