Short Bits 

The Voyage of Reason
Artist: After the Tragedy
Label: Indie Recording
These guys are definitely taking the emo-pop, indie influenced sound to new heights. From the first song "Harmony" to the last track "Dissonance" the record takes you on a melodic and definite emo influenced journey. The vocals are extremely smooth, with the standard hint of screaming at times. The guitars are melodic and very well played, the percussion is solid, rhythmic, and non-stop energetic.  Was definitely surprised by the sound of this group, while being a part of a larger genre, they have managed to stay individuals throughout the production of this record. I would suggest heading over to their myspace page www.myspacecom/aftertthetragedy or the website, www.afterthetragedy.com. This is a true inspiration to listen to. (Rev MC)

Last Night on Earth
Artist: Arrica Rose and the ...'s
Label: poprock records (indie)
Times: 5 tracks / 18:08
Arrica Rose and the ...'s are a four-piece band that's mostly acoustic and very retro. Listening to the band's EP, _Last Night on Earth,_ specifically "Occasionally the World's an Unhappy Place (Plan Accordingly)" and "Rid of You," my mind meanders to memories of mid-80s records by Carlene Carter, Ellen Foley, and Karla DeVito. The comparison is parallel because the music arrangements are similar and all three of these artists sang songs dealing with the skeptical side of life (see the above two Rose titles--the others are "Turn," "Wreck Me," and "Silence (Is All We Need)." The music/arragements can be enticing, but a more upbeat look at life would improve Arrica Rose and the ...'s. (Olin Jenkins )

Sword of 77 Faces
Artist: Atom Tha Immortal
Label: Regen Records
Unsigned Christian artist Atom Tha Immortal brings a level of layer lushness to hip hop untouched by most. His style has been compared to such artists as NAS and Canibus and described as apocalyptic Gothic hip-hop. High quality production.  If hip hop is your thing, give this a listen.   For more information, check this interesting bio here:  http://www.guerrillaindustry.com/site2/html/bio.php  (Shari Lloyd - Linda LaFianza)

No Holiday
Artist: Blake Bollinger Band
Label: Indie
URLs: http://www.blakebollinger.com, http://www.myspace.com/blakebollinger
With edgy, guitar-driven rock mixed with smooth harmonies and hook-laden melodies, this four-piece band hails from the Baylor/North Texas college scene. This album is a very pleasant, well produced project. While it doesn't cut any new ground, the infectious lyrics will keep listeners coming back for more. (Shari Lloyd)

Speak to Me
Artist: Samuel Bowen
Label: Left Shore Records
On Massachusetts local Samuel Bowen's  third project, his presence and personality shine through clearly. This is an experienced performer with over twenty-five years of professional experience who probably puts on a not-to-be-missed live show for friends, family, and fans. His electric and acoustic guitar talents are excellent, however, his song ideas occasionally overreach his wordsmithing skills and I don't think the backup singers could always hear the lead through the monitors. In a perfect world, Mr. Bowen's talent, vision and drive would draw the attention of the right professionals who could develop his incredible potential into marketable hits. To his credit, this is one artist not waiting for lightening to strike--he's getting his music out there for all to enjoy making him an artist to watch. (Linda LaFianza)

Instrument of Praise
Artist: Carman
Label: Tyscott
While celebrating winning one million plus souls to Christ, this album often sounds very dated with cheap-sounding production. Some tracks ("Everlasting God," "Celebration Day") have these terribly programmed drums that nearly overwhelm all other instruments and vocals in the mix which make them very hard to listen to. Even an appearance by Andrae Crouch doesn't save this album. Unless you are a radical fan, stick with his _Absolute Best_ album. (Shari Lloyd - Linda LaFianza)

Tomorrow May (EP)
Artist: Distal
Label: ©2007 independent
Blaring, blistering, crunchy, and in your face is what describes Distal’s EP, _Tomorrow May_. The sonic quality of this finely produced short album is excellent, nicely mixed with the vocals lying prominently over a bed of hard rock. They are poised to grab attention. Of the five songs, the ones that stuck out most were the title cut, “Tomorrow May,” and “This Time Around (Tabula Rasa).” EP’s can be great for giving you a taste of a band or an artist. I just prefer a whole slice of pie. For that matter, give me that whole pie! Here is hoping more things are in store in their future. (thecannyshark)

When You Come Back Home
Artist: Fairgreen
Label: ©2007 independent
Finally, a band that lists emo as one of the styles on myspace that is not ashamed of being called as such. Dual harmonizing vocals and dual layered guitars are in full throttle here as Fairgreen pulls through familiar territory. The vocals surround the lyrics without creating strong melodic lines. This is the way I remember my experience with Dashboard Confessional or a little of Sunny Day Real Estate: lyrics you tend to memorize and internalize. Then, in concert, you sing along with the band as if the songs belong to you. The backbone section is sufficient to meet the end. Tasty guitar licks are abundant on the strong cuts “Every Chance”, “For What It’s Worth” and “Why Are You Waiting?.” This is familiar emo music, but solid production, tight vocals and song structure give this EP a slight edge over the landscape out there.  (thecannyshark)

Self Titled
Artist: Fight Before Surrender
Label: Wounded Records
Here is a shining example of what Punk Rawk sounded like back in the late ‘70’s and all the way through to the early ‘90’s. For those who don’t know, Punk was a style that was developed tp attack the mainstream clatter, and go against the grain by kids and musicians who wanted the industry their way. This has long since been lost in the new “modern pop-punk genre” and needs to be returned. This band comes out swinging on the first song, and I was instantly swept back to the days of Fugazi, old Billy Idol, Jawbreaker, the Cramps, Black Flag, Operation Ivy, and early Rancid, The Sex Pistols, all the bands, that fueled my youth. The title track starts the record off on a good note, and Hope for the Rejected ends it in the same frenzy as it started. I love this album from start to finish and listen to it constantly. If you are into old school, stand up for your rights, run into each other on the dance floor garage punk, then this is the record for you. With  influences like Motorhead, The Exploited and others this hard working group has ran nearly 300 shows and 29 states in the past couple years.  You can find out more about this and many other groups at www.myspace.com/woundedone or www.woundedrecords.com (Rev MC)

Darlin' Understand
Artist: Jewly Hight 
URL: http://www.jewlyhight.com/ www.jewlyhight.com www.myspace.com/jewlyhight 
Jewly Hight is a new talent working in Nashville today. Her alternative-country approach is fresh, passionate and original.  She went to the same root-based school of blues, rock and country as Julie Miller, Gillian Welch, and Victoria Williams.  Her voice has its own character.  She sings in the Americana-roots genre with a wide and comfortable range.   The CD has long stretches of fine slide guitar roots with a swampy feel in soul of music. It calls to mind long, southern midnight hours, long after church has let out when the congregation gets together for some raw, rocking, alternative-gospel, honky tonkin' blues fun. By far, the stand-out instrumentation on the disc is the lead guitar work by Joshua Whitaker who sounds like a youthful and excited Ry Cooder.  Highly recommended.  (Terry Roland) 

Ilia
Artist: Ilia (EP)
Label: ©2007 independent
This is an all-girl hardcore/hard rock outfit that is anything but an excuse to be an all-girl gimmick. Let’s hope that the “Christian” market doesn’t pick these young ladies up and drop them like hot potatoes. I am very impressed by their sound, vocals, screaming pipes, and bio. Ilia (IL-lee-uh) is Hebrew for “God is Lord”. They formed while attending a music and worship arts college in Memphis, Tennessee. There is enough crunch here to do some serious body flailing. I just wish the EP were longer than three songs. Just as I get into it, it is over. I hate having to hit the repeat button! (thecannyshark)

The Ambassador
Artist: Bobby Jones
Label: Zomba
URL: http://www.bobbyjonesgospel.com
A new project from "Gospel industry superstar and television icon Bobby Jones" He partners with a lot of gospel greats such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Darwin Hobbs. The Ambassador is a nice collection of contemporary gospel music. (Shari Lloyd)

False Starts
Artist: Jeremy Keen
Label: Ground Vinyl Records
Jeremy Keen is a retro-singer-songwriter.  He draws from a folk approach to his writing with golden era of the '70's songwriter influence in mind.  The production is clean, interesting and original.  Instrumentation is interesting using crashing guitars along with strong harmony and lead vocals that calls to mind The Beatles Abbey Road.   This CD is recommended for those who are interested in an original perspective of songs rooted in influences from a past era.   Stand-out track is 'Psalm."  (Terry Roland) 

Unleashed
Artist: LA Symphony
This release shows the true talents that make up one the best Christian Hip-Hop groups ever. Each song is, in its own right, a masterpiece. The rhythm keeps you bouncing, while the lyrics keep you thinkin'.  What I think makes this album better than most is that it showcases all the original members of LA Symphony. From Cookbook, all the way to Pigeon John, what an amazing feat, to get them all back together again. This is definitely an album worth picking up if you are a fan or are into hip-hop in general. (Rev MC)

Marquis for the Debutante
Last American Buffalo
URLs: http://www.myspace.com/sergeant, http://www.lastamericanbuffalo.com
Last American Buffalo is indie rock from men who like to dress up like it's 1895. I guess the band uses anything to stand out--weird. In any case, Marquis for the Debutante is a good piece of indie rock. Each track shows a little bit of the band's various influences which keeps the album fresh. The album seems to gather strength with nice, crisp guitar work. The songs are mostly about unsuccessful relationships.  However, Last American Buffalo don't accomplish anything drastically different to set this band apart the all the other indie bands out there, but what they do well is deliver a quality product, and it seem to grow on the listener. If these guys can do more than to set them apart from the rest of the pack, we could hear more from them in the future. (Shari Lloyd)

MPK Christmas / MPK Cling
Artist: MPK
Label: Indie
MPK is a family band--Mom--three daughters, one son. At their best, they play high quality traditional Celtic dance tunes. Their virtuoso instumentation shines on the Christmas allbum, a wonderful mix of eight classic and two original numbers. Unfortunately, the project also hints at their main weakness, their vocals, which don't always blend well. 

Cling, the second project, seems to be an attempt to merge members' of the family--or its audience's--interests. Traditional-style Celtic dances alternate with original praise & worship numbers. The momentum slows considerably during the P & W ballads which confirm the suspicions developed during the Christmas project--MPK needs a vocal coach to bring their raw, earnest talent up to the quality of the instruments, which are sublime. (Shari Lloyd - Linda LaFianza)

Going Home
Artist: Quick and the Dead
Label: Indie Vision Music
This band is cut in the vein of many of the pop/rock/emo bands that are currently gracing the American airwaves. This isn’t a bad thing though, as these guys are quite enjoyable to have on in the car or house. Songs like “The Grass Is Always Greener On the Other Side,” “Holding On To a Dream” and the uniquely metaphorical “Shipwrecked” are definite standouts. (James Morovich)
 
Exotic Destination
Artist: Ruetschle
Label: Poptek Recs
Here we have a pleasant trip through fun Brit-pop. Most of these songs average three minutes or less in length, providing for a short less than thirty minute quick listen album that could have easily come out in the late 60’s. There’s obvious influences from Deep Purple, The Rolling Stones, and Procol Harem. Standout tracks include “Summertime,” “Could I Understand,” “Can You Remember” and “Don’t Turn Around.” (James Morovich)
 
Darkness and Light
Artist: Scelerata
Label: Nightmare Records
When I selected this record, I was reluctant at first as to what it was going to sound like. The record company slogan says that it is metal in progression. Being a huge fan of “progressive metal” I was hoping to find a new approach to prog metal. When I loaded the disc into the radio I was hit with a darker more gothic  approach to prog metal. I wasn’t disappointed at all. The group has put together a deep dark sound, with progressive overtones. The lead singers’ voice is very mellow at times, and then more depressive but he has the ability to bring it up to a more metal tone in many of the albums’ tracks. The titles of most of the songs resemble a more gothic metal sound, however don’t be fooled by the names, this band actually dives right into a prog metal sound with gothic vocals. Good effort on their part.  I look forward to hearing more from them in the years to come. (Rev MC)

Nightprowler
Artist: The Scurvies
Label: Boot to Head Records
Time: 16 tracks/29:31 minutes
This is old-school punk rock. Real punk. Don't even think of adding the adjectives "pop" or "core" to this, because you will be smacked with a flailing guitar if you do. This is seriously catchy stuff, sounds a lot like Social Distortion meets the Ramones. Great for the punk rock parties and for cruising down the highway at dangerous speeds. Keep an eye on 'em, The Scurvies should be going places!  (Noah Salo)

Ride the Music
Artist: 7 Thunders
Label: ©2004 Independent
A jam band rocking for God! I am a huge Gov’t Mule, Umphrey’s McGee, and moe fan. I was surprised to stumble on this band’s myspace page. They are the essence of independent music: low-fi production, having fun, and jamming out. 7 Thunders is a three-member band with a vibe you would dance to at an outdoor festival. Solid chops on guitar and bass help to keep the train chugging along. My only complaint was the inconsistency of the mix. It was too subdued in the first four tracks. Then, clarity with more high end, hit you in “God Spoke”. My favorite cut was “The Haunting”, probably because I love long songs. The talent is there. The essence of jamming is there as well. Now, if 7 Thunders can get some solid production, they might rise above the din of the mass overcrowding at the rock’n’roll level.    (thecannyshark)

You Lose
Artist: Sonset Down
Label: Wounded Records
This is a pretty good album. I was impressed at how much different the southern metal scene has become since the release of the first Maylene and the Sons of Disaster album. I was thinking that this group would sound the same. However much to my surprise they were uniquely different. They have a hard sound, yet they still have logical lyrics and good musicianship. I would definitely suggest this record for anyone looking for a harder edged southern metal style group. (Rev MC)

Merry Christmas, Traditional Carols arranged as Traditional Rock Songs
Artist: Frank Lee Sprague
Label: Indie
URL: http://duckking1.tripod.com/
Frank Lee Sprague is a talented guitarist. This label takes arrangements such as Bach's work, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire," and presents it in the style of the Ventures, "Perfidea" and Handel's Messiah in the style of the Bel Airs, "O Come All Ye Faithful" in the style of the Byrds, "O Holy Night" in the style of the Who--etc. You get the idea. He is noted for his mastery of British Invasion styles, but at times it's very disconcerting. However, if you are looking for something different this Christmas, this may be right up your alley. If you are looking for more traditional music, this isn't for you. (Shari Lloyd)

self-titled (EP)
Artist: Stigmata
Label: ©2005 independent
URL: www.myspace.com/omahastigmata/
 This is my first review of a hard melodic screamo/growl band. The band hails from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The music is metal with a healthy dose of growl. I have to say that for an older guy, I did not get sick. I even enjoyed it. “Last Call” is a favorite track with just the right blend of melody and guttural wrenching. “Freak Show” and “Dead To The World” show off the essential growl. Not a bad half disc. (thecannyshark)

One Step Closer
Artist: Arkin Terrell
Label: iwitness / MissionHouseMusic
A promising newcomer to arrive on the Christian music scene. Working with the production team of Chip and Billy Davis in Nashville, Terrell has unleashed a  high quality Christian inspirational album with a definite country vibe. The songs are ready for radio play.  We will certainly be hearing more the  Terrell.  (Linda Lafianza - Shari Lloyd)

The Bewildering Light: Faces At the Manager
Artist: Ben Thomas
Label: Indie
URL: http://www.benthomasonline.com
Ben Thomas is a a Chicago area folk artist. For his day job, he is a worship leader and part of the preaching team at a local church. During December, the church will have a sermon session entitled "Faces at the Manager." Thomas has written a song to support each weekly sermon. This album includes these five songs and five of his arrangements of traditional Christmas songs. A pleasant album if you are looking for something different this Christmas. (Shari Lloyd)

Distraught/Rockcore Compilation
Artist: Various
Label: Wounded Records
Yet another immensely heavy compilation. I know how to ‘em pick folks. This aural onslaught of Wounded Records artists is definitely an ear full. It includes such great up-and-comers as Bringing Down Broadway, Sonset Down, Neviah Nevi, Gorilla Warfare and many others.  Of course the aforementioned groups I have already either written reviews or am currently writing reviews regarding. If you are at all into any kind of hardcore, screamo, thrash, metal, or just like a loud heavy sound when cruisin', then this is the compilation for you. To add to its collective there is even a nice new group from my hometown area, (the St. Louis Metro area) called Organ of Corti. These guys have a great myspace, and you can really get more into their sound. I love the heck out of ‘em. They are a shining example of how better things than rap can come from the Lou. Other than that this is a good collection of New emerging artist on the Wounded Records Label, and if you are lookin' to find out more about any of these artist you can check out the labels site, www.woundedrecords.com or www.myspace.com/woundedone . (Rev MC)

Songs 4 Ever
Artist: Various
Label: Time Life
URL: http://www.timelife.com/4ever
Ever see those Time-Life informercials? Well, here's a new one--ten CDs with 150 songs they bill as "the most comprehensive Christian music collection ever assembled." Songs 4 Ever features a star-studded roster of artists and spans Christian music over the past three decades. This project showcases ten CDs with 150 songs and will be available online at www.timelife.com and through television infomercials airing nationally, which began October 26, 2007. Interestingly, it is currently back ordered. Songs 4 Ever traces modern Christian music from its early pioneers like Phil Keaggy, Larry Norman, and Keith Green, and builds to today's superstars (JoC, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, etc.) who have impacted the genre for several years. The emphasis, though, is on the more recent artists. If you are looking for a history of Christian music, you will be disappointed. It you are looking for a gift for Mom and have the $119.96, she will probably love it. (Shari Lloyd)

There's a Man . . .
Artist: Rigo Waltz
Label: Caisson Records
Some things are not as they appear, and Rigo Waltz' project embodies this masquerade/betrayal inside and out. Packaged as a 7" vinyl sporting a title that hints at alt.Christian themes, this is actually a DIY full-length CD of ache and outrage at a parent whose abdication of duty and maturity scars everyone he touches. Suicides, autism, trauma and mayhem are left in his wake and decisively played out by the artist who, as a young adult, has watched this sad scenario play out all round him. Uptemo emo, raw truth without much light. (Linda LaFianza)

Legends
Artist: Renee Zawawi
URL: http://www.reneeZawai.com
Label: The Demo Center
Legends is great danceable exotic pop-phoria from singer/songwriter with quite a past--a "cross between Bjork and Jane Wiedlin." She has a wonderful voice and the dance beat will have you tapping your feet before you know it. I can only describe it as infectious dance music. "American Girrrrl" is a perfect example. (Shari Lloyd)