By Dusty Aunan – Music Director

Delta Spirit chose the eponymous title for their third full-length album, an album that builds on the fierce Americana rock of 2010’s History From Below. Like History, Delta Spirit is full of raw rock jams while still leaving room for touching ballads. This time around singer Matt Vasquez throws in more vocal dynamics, the guitars are full of echo, and some synthesizer can be heard.

Mention of synthesizer could send fans of Delta Spirit’s Americana style running for the hills, but spoiler alert: they pull it off without compromising anything.

The guitars on lead single “California” sound like they were recorded in a wind tunnel (and I mean that in a good way). The sounds echo and linger wonderfully. Vazquez’s voice verges on crooning, as if he has reigned in some of his usual rasp. With some added synth beats, the song creates a texture that is both modern and soulful.

Drummer Brandon Young’s floor-tom-heavy style is spotlighted on the ballad “Time Bomb”. An ambient guitar melody drifts over the beat, while Vasquez sings, “I don’t know what comes now/I can’t hear it but I know the sound.”

On “Money Saves” the gang adds rapid-fire synth beats to the rock sensibility that made History’s “Bushwick Blues” so great. Vasquez’s earnest lyrics are especially blunt on this track: “All the plans I made got shattered/all of my old friends are getting fatter.”

Other album highlights are “Tellin’ The Mind” (a vocal roller coaster), “Idaho” (because, duh!), “Empty House” and album closer “Yamaha”.

You can buy the album here.

“Money Saves”

By Ryan French – Music Director/Producer: Boise By Bus

Being in pretty much the toddler years of their existence some would say, Ballyhoo! Is growing up right before our eyes, and in a big way. Their recent release, Daydreams, from LAW Records, was released on September 6, 2011, is the Maryland bands fourth full length album and surely their best melodically pleasant mix yet.

The Reggae/Rock band who has been influential in my upbringing and most recent memories of surfing, travel, and great party nights with friends, has put together an awesome collaboration of Sublime-like tunes and lyrics, with the soft serenade and flowing rhythms of the surf rock scene exploding out of Southern California.

Every song can take you to your own personal beach with your own favorite margarita or cerveza in hand. This album allowed the band the opportunity to record their very first music video for their hit song “Say I’m Wrong”. If you haven’t heard of the band before or haven’t kept up with what they have been cranking out, then this music video and their entire album is a great place to start.

Ballyhoo! was able to make an appearance here in Boise not too long ago at The Reef downtown. They were taking a break from their tour with Pepper and The Expendables to showcase their ability to turn a small venue into an intimate and fun filled atmosphere that turned the heads and ears of all patrons having dinner or just grabbing drinks. I noticed many people buying for their first time a Ballyhoo! album on the way out, and I’m sure they were not disappointed.

Nevertheless, Daydreams is sure to take your mind to a new place mentally and physically. You can check out the recorded interview with them before their performance at The Reef with the link below.

By Denny Spinks – General Manager/Producer: All Things Metal

It amazes me how people who say they love new music and hope their favorite bands step out of the box and do something different. They then turn around and complain that it doesn’t sound like the band they are fans of. My suggestion would be to quit your bitching and Thank “The Metal Council” that there are those out there willing to think out of the box.

Just so we can get the editorial reviews from Amazon out of the way, “Highly anticipated 2011 two CD collaboration between Rock legend Lou Reed and the Heavy Metal monolith that is Metallica. Lulu was inspired by German expressionist writer Frank Wedekind’s plays Earth Spirit and Pandora’s Box, which tell a story of a young abused dancer’s life and relationships and are now collectively known as the “Lulu Plays.” Originally the lyrics and musical landscape were sketched out by Lou for a theatrical production in Berlin, but after coming together with the ‘Tallica boys for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts in New York in 2009 all guilty parties knew they wanted to make more music together. Lou was inspired enough by that performance to recently ask the band to join him in taking his theatrical Lulu piece to the next level and so starting in early May of this year they were all camped out recording at HQ studios in Northern California, bringing us to today and 10 complete songs.”

With that being said and hopefully you have paid attention and know that this is NOT a “Metallica” record. This has been expressed in more than one interview I have seen. I would happen to agree. It is a Lou Reed record! Now that we have gotten that out the way, let’s talk about LULU.

Brandenburg Gate is probably one of my favorite tracks on this collaboration. I love how the music compliments the frail voice of Reed. I would agree that at times the vocals of Reed don’t fit with the music but in some ways, that is what I like about it. To be honest the music is as solid as ever. I think Metallica did a really great job in creating some that in time will be called some of their best.

As I listen to LULU, I feel like I am thrown back in time during German Expressionism during the 1920s–1930s. For me, this album has more emotion than I get from the normal albums I listen to. This album grabs you, sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Don’t expect those narrow minded billboard suits fool you. This is a concept album that is more than just a single. If you truly want to listen to something different and off the wall and make you think WTF are these guys doing, then go and get this album. If you are looking for something to bitch about, well, maybe you should buy this also. We don’t care what you think anyway! I recommend getting this album for the sole reason is that when you look back at this album; you will know that this really is a piece of art.

A Shattered Hope is a screamo/rock/hardcore (as they label themselves on Facebook) band from San Diego, Ca. Their EP, See You at the Grammys, released September 6, 2011 and they are currently on tour promoting it. They recently stopped by Boise on Thursday, October 27 at The Venue.  The album is solid, with awesome transitions from screaming to smooth singing vocals. Everything just fits together so well and makes for a solid album to listen to all the way through. The track I recommend is A Man’s Loss. If you are into A Static Lullaby, Our Last Night, Alexisonfire or any band with powerful screaming mixed with amazing singing vocals, you will love this album.

From the bands Facebook page:

“In a world with hundreds of similar and almost identical sounding aggressive post hardcore screamo bands, creativity and originality is something hard to come by. This isn’t the case for A Shattered Hope, with their own heavy, melodic, chaotic, catchy sound full of twists and turns and moments that keep the listener guessing. Hailing from San Diego CA, the band has been dedicated to writing, recording and playing shows all over the country. With a good amount of touring experience already under their belts the boys will be continuing to tour as much as physically possible and keep pushing themselves until they reach the peak of their musical endeavors.”

The band is on the record label A Lullaby Factory Records and you can purchase it here:

By: Mecala Fitzpatrick – Producer/Assistant Promotions Director

Outpost, formed in Portland, Oregon, with 5 years of recorded albums
already under their belt has already made quite a name for themselves
thanks to unique reggae/hip-hop/funk sound. With a graffiti style name
as their band’s logo you expect to hear maybe some sort of mix of
rap/hip-hop, but they far exceeded the expectations. This album “ The
Wreckoning”  is composed of 13 upbeat, make you feel good songs that
covers everything from girls and respecting them, surprisingly, to
sharing the love and being peaceful with one another. Outpost is a
five member band (Chris Couch, Brian Merz(tmpIll), Phillip Hunker
(p.hill), Steve Lennartz, Oscar Litchenstein) that plays regular band
instruments such as drums, bass, guitar but they also add a keyboard
guitar into the mix as well as a Melodica, or a keyboard that you blow
into for an amazing musical sound.
After seeing this band live at Liquid opening up for Actual
Depiction, I was blown away by their musical talent and upbeat sound
that was filled with pure positivity and their energy was feed to the
crowd who was eating it right up with a full packed dance floor. They
do have one song dedicated to our former President Mr. Bush which I
found a little bit out of date, but that is one song out of thirteen
great ones. Their song “Comfort(notitus)” or track six is my absolute
favorite bringing together that funky reggae sound with the
underground hip hop beats which lead to an amazing feel good, peace
filled, relaxed feeling, every time.

If you enjoy a different type of reggae than what you normally hear,
but still has that positive message, then you should really check out
The Wreckoning by Outpost or watch this video.

By Brian Dodson: Director of Promotions and Marketing

Them Crooked Vultures is a musical oddity comprised of deeply trained and talented individuals. Fronted by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, on drums Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and John Paul Jones the bassist from Led Zeppelin. This band isn’t hot off the press having played their first show in August of 2009, but did not get the recognition I think it deserves. Their first self-titled album peaked at #12 on the US charts. It does not surprise me that this music was not talked about more. It’s dirty bird rock riffs with seductive unblinking lyrics and superb musical composition is easy to miss if just quickly jumping through the tracks. But the genius is in the details. Homme, Jones and Grohl all have been in bands that need no explanations. They understand the work involved in creating something a cut above. And they came up with a new sound in a genre that has been done to death.

Not taking the band too seriously being a side-project for everyone gave the three of them a very playful style. With tracks entitled, No one loves me and neither do I, and Warsaw or the first breath after you give up, TCV are not here to blow your mind with intellectual depth, although it is present. They want you to just have fun and enjoy the ride.

The various styles incorporated in this album are simply amazing. They will get you moving with a song like Caligulove, and then break everything apart in a liquid dream infused adult theme park ride in Interlude with Ludes. All of the songs work well together keeping a coordinated stylistic theme yet still keep you guessing as to what will hit you next.

There is definitely a classic rock touch to some of the tracks. In Warsaw, at one point you would swear Homme turns into David Bowie. But the guitar riffs are too fresh to be considered classic in any sense. I think if you give TCV a try you will not be disappointed. I personally love this album and look forward to the next one. When people complain about rock it’s because they haven’t heard of Them Crooked Vultures.

By Ryan French: Producer/Assistant Music Director

Listening to a song that encompasses the exact feeling and emotion you’re in at any moment in time, past, present or future, is a powerful rush that comes over you as you hear a personally perfect melody.  That is exactly how Windsor Blue, Dan Krikorians’ newest album, will affect your life. You can tell through his music, that Dan has the very same emotional mentality when writing his songs.

This Southern California vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, has a plethora of influences around him to inspire and provide variety to his style and growth. His voice is surprisingly amazing, yet subtle and soft. While listening to his melodies, you can hear worldly influences and themes of love, friendship and grief, with travel, adventure  and exploration. All of which would not allow you to presume that he is from California. His skills as a writer seem to come from spiritual influences and a strong understanding of the world.

In one song of Dan’s now third album, the mention of snow within a soft melodic voice and harmonious angelic instrumentals actually places you in a field of snow.

Windsor Blue, takes you traveling through the world, as well as makes you remember moments in time, song by song while maintaining Dan’s simplistic style of beats and strums of his guitar. The first time you listen to Windsor Blue, you may find yourself believing that each one of his songs is your favorite. But as you continue to listen throughout the album, you begin to realize that your mood increases better and better with each song.

Dan just finished a few shows close to home in Costa Mesa, Calif. but his music is being broadcast globally. His presence in Europe has elevated his strive to write more and better his music. And you can see that he is influenced by this in his lyrics. You can check out Dan and his music on his Facebook page or by going to his home page. Contact Dan, ask him to play a show for you, you won’t be disappointed.

By Dusty Aunan: Music Director

If you are looking for further proof that the finer pieces of art are born from struggle, look no further than Year of Hibernation, the debut album from Youth Lagoon. Trevor Powers, a Boise native and the driving force behind Youth Lagoon, faced issues of anxiety while growing up. Many of his songs chronicle the darker days he’s had.

He told Spin Magazine, “I would have panic attacks in my room before bed over things that don’t make sense to the average person. One of my fears was that I’d die before Christmas. I’d think about it so much that I couldn’t sleep and it would overwhelm my mind.”

Recently signed to Fat Possum Records (home to Al Green, Band of Horses, and the Smith Westerns), Youth Lagoon has started attracting attention from Pitchfork, Stereogum, Spin, and countless music blogs.

Year of Hibernation is reverbed bliss that hits you in waves. Some of the most fantastic moments on the album come in the builds; moments where sustained atmospheres are joined gradually by powerful beats, guitar chords, and pleading vocals. Before you know it, that slow-burning atmospheric tune is lifting you up into head-bobbing pop bliss.

You may have seen the video for lead single “Montana” shared around the Internet; a tear-jerking visual narrative from Boise filmmaker Tyler T Williams. The song is just as haunting as it is full of longing. Keyboard work that sounds like a ghost whistling and a surging beat make this track an album standout.

“Cannons” is a sort of “Eye of the Tiger” for the contemplative type; a song about sticking up for what you believe: “Get your cannons ready, light the wick/It will take more than an argument to change my mind”. It is sung with an air of challenge that follows the movement of Powers’ keyboard. “Afternoon” is possibly the sunniest spot on the album. Whistling and a climbing guitar riff are joined halfway through by a shuffling beat that invites your handclaps.

Every song on the album adheres to the same hopeful sentiment. The listener’s knee jerk reaction is to play it many times in a row. At twenty two years old, Powers has a bright future. We fellow Boiseans are proud and excited to see what comes next. Youth Lagoon returns to Boise on October, 11^th for an in-store performance at the Record Exchange.

Year of Hibernation is out today and can be bought here

Video for “Montana”

Songwriter Justin Vernon spent the three months of winter in a cabin in Northwest Wisconsin recovering from the break-ups of a band and a relationship, and from having mononucleosis. The result of that winter was Bon Iver’s 2007 LP For Emma, Forever Ago. The record is downtrodden but it paves the way for spring, coming in the form of Bon Iver, this year’s self-titled follow-up.

Where For Emma used a Silvertone guitar and hand-me-down drums, Bon Iver is spread with synthesizers, pianos, woodwinds, some banjo, and string quartets. Not to mention some Bruce Hornsby-style electric piano on “Beth/Rest”. Each song seems to offer something novel in its instrumentation to set it apart from the rest of the album.

If the listener isn’t convinced that this record is more optimistic, on the opening track “Perth” Vernon belts, “Still alive for you, love” in his trademark falsetto. This happens while a snare drum marches and his own harmonies help lift up the message.

“Michicant” weaves dynamic instrumentation over a gentle electric guitar waltz. Saxophone, bells, and some kind of echo-y drums circle around as Vernon sings some vague and poetic words: “melic in the naked, knew a lake and drew the lofts for page/hurdle all the waitings up, know it wasn’t wedded love”.

On lead single “Calgary”, the synthesizer is king, at least until about two and a half minutes into the song. It is then that the electric guitar comes in with driving chords and dissonant licks. However, the last forty-five seconds are laid down gently with acoustic guitar and light cymbal work.

Other album standouts are “Towers”, “Hinnom, TX” and “Beth/Rest”.

Although the lyrics can be confusing at times, it is clear that Bon Iver has hope and not mononucleosis.

By Denny Spinks – Program Director/Producer: “All Things Metal”

David Coverdale and his band of cohorts are back with the release of their 11th studio and follow up to their 2008 “Good To Be Bad” release comes “Forevermore”. Most notably known for their bluesy sound, MTV Chartbusters like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love”, not to mention Tawny Kitaen rolling around in every video that fed every boys (and probably a few girls) fantasy. Those days are long since gone that faded away with 80s. Or did it? With Forevermore, Whitesnake have superseded those who thought they were just another so called, “hair band.” Whitesnake have been around long before MTV was showing videos and they have proved that they can outlast them as well.

With David Coverdale (vocals), Doug Aldrich (guitars), Reb Beach (guitars), Brian Tichy (drums), and Michael Devin (bass) Whitesnake has returned with some classic, blues-rocking tracks. The first track kicks off like a shotgun blast with “Steal Your Heart Away” and continues on with “All Out Of Luck.” The first single “Love Will Set You Free” set the stage for what Whitesnake has to offer. The album picks up momentum with tracks like “Tell Me How” and “My Evil Ways.” As always David has a soft spot for the slower more melodically tunes like the title track, “Forevermore” and “Fare Thee Well.” Don’t be discouraged because this album has some mean riffs and is well worth your hard earned money. This album will not disappoint any Whitesnake or Hard Rock fan. This album is literally hard to put down and is easily one of the best of the year so far. Thanks David for another kick ass Whitesnake album! Whitesnake will be performing at the Eagle River Pavilion in Eagle, ID. on August 2nd.