Echo Helstrom, Echo Helstorm
C-
The new album from Portland's Echo Helstrom is essentially indie-rock for the Dave Mathews Band fan. The album has acoustic, heartfelt songs that sound similar to Boise's Draw. Many sad and sweet songs lounge throughout the album, but vocalist Ross Seligman's voice can't quite carry the band, which leaves many of the songs quite boring.
The Vestals, The Vestals
C+
With brothers Jeremy and Ben Gordon both making it to the finals for the 2000 John Lennon songwriting competition, it is no wonder the Vestals sound like the band is trying its best to sound like the Beatles. At times, the band modernizes by trying to sound like Radiohead. Brit-pop is fine, but not coming from this Minneapolis four-piece. Buy it if you like bands that try to sound like the Beatles without any originality of their own.
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Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
A
"Well Portland Oregon and sloe gin fizz/ If that ain't love then tell me what is/ Well I lost my heart it didn't take no time/ But that ain't all. I lost my mind in Oregon." Need I say more? Not really. With the amazing Loretta Lynn sounding like an angel that has lived a tough life on a farm and producer Jack White - from the White Stripes - adding the perfect amount of sonic rock quality, Van Lear Rose shines.
The Cooper Temple Clause, Kick up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose
B+
Even though Coldplay consistently sounds like early Radiohead, can a band sound like both? Yes! The Cooper Temple Clause takes the more mainstream aspects of Coldplay and the experimentation of later Radiohead and finds success. Elusive vocals and electronics built around great song structure leave the listener wondering if there will be yet another British band wowing us. Maybe not on this album, but perhaps in the future.
Micheal BublÇ, Come Fly With Me
D-
With an eight-piece orchestra accompanying this Vancouver, Canada native on classics like "Can't Help Falling in Love," "My Funny Valentine" and "Mack the Knife," Come Fly With Me has some great throwback charm. The talented BublÇ - pronounced Bo-blay - should stick to the Vegas lounges and not attempt more albums. If you want to listen to Sinatra, listen to Sinatra.
Buy Indie Music Compilation Vol. 1
F
Bad hip-hop sounding as if it came from 1985, really bad heavy metal from the same time period, horrible R & B sounding as if it was in an R. Kelly home-video - so goes Buy Indie Music Compilation Vol. 1. Buy independently produced, marketed and sold music, but don't buy this compilation.
GoGoGo Airheart, GoGoGo Airheart
B
Astonishing audiences across the country - including a recent show at the Launchpad - San Diego's GoGoGo Airheart is building a strong fan-base. A more palatable version of earlier Butthole Surfers' LSD-inspired punk and craziness, GoGoGo Airheart will be sure to freak you out and wow you at the same time.
