by: -Joe Davidson producer of “The Boise Fuzz” The Black Keys have been making waves through the rock world with their refreshing work ethic and awesome modern blues rock. Much to the surprise of many, they have recently teamed up with Hip Hop producer Damon Dash and some of the industry’s most famous rap names (Ludacris, Raekwon, RZA, and Mos Def, just to name a few) for a project that many critics thought would fall flat on its face like similar projects that came before it. However, indie rockers and rap heads rejoice – the Blakroc project does anything but fall on its face. ...

Chuck Ragan- “Gold Country” by Dustin Verburg “Gold Country” is the new album from Chuck Ragan, former singer/guitarist in the Gainesville, FL based punk band Hot Water Music. Hot Water Music was an extremely powerful force in emo and post-hardcore, adored by both fans and critics. To their credit, HWM gave credibility to the term “emo” when “emo” emerged in the popular lexicon as a dirty word. Hot Water Music was an unusual band, so it might come as no surprise that ‘Gold Country’ is a very unusual record. ...

Borrowed from Buzz Bands: Dawes, “North Hills” (self-released) — The first album from the new quartet featuring three-quarters of Simon Dawes sneaks up on you like a moment of deja vu. Twenty-three-year-old Taylor Goldsmith crafts elegant folk-pop gems that reveal a remarkably centered songwriter who feels the currents surrounding him but won’t get swept away by any of them. ...

Blue Scholars – Bayani Redux From Duck Down Records: Blue Scholars are the leaders of politically radical hip hop coming out of the Northwest with soulful beats, poetic imagery and a reputation for breathtaking live performances. ...