Eyes Open
Snow Patrol
What is it with Ireland’s stranglehold on bands that understand melody and have mastered the haunting, almost-mournful ballad? U2, David Gray, Simple Minds, and the Cranberries are just a few names responsible for these kinds of heart-stirring songs, and now comes Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody. Snow Patrol’s second release, Eyes Open, picks up where their debut left off. The tracks are a mix of energetic tunes and melancholy melodies, but it is the slow stuff that really captures the band’s essence. The album also experiments with different vocal accompaniments, employing choirs, a marvelous duet with Martha Wainwright, piano and guitar. Click on the image to buy now!
 

Techari
Ojos de Brujo
Ojos de Brujo (“Witch’s Eyes”) is ready to explode. By that, I’m not saying that the band is about to hit the big, global stage. They did that with their amazing debut, Bari. No, what I mean is that the band is literally about to pop out of the CD jewel and envelop its listeners with its frenetic brand of nuevo flamenco, rap, hip hop, jazz and bossa nova. Techari is a worthy encore for the group. Accompanying Marina Abad’s practically incomprehensible and yet hypnotic voice and Ramon Giménez’s seductive guitar are sounds from the far corners of the world, including Latin trumpets, Indian bhangra, and African drums. Plug in and enjoy the ride. Click on the image to buy now!
 

The Dutchess
Fergie
I like Fergie; I really do. She added much-needed zest and sexiness to the Black Eyed Peas and launched them over the top. But where Gwen Stefani soared as a solo artist, Fergie might have missed the boat. Sure, the videos are great and she looks amazing, but the songs leave me wanting more. Already overplayed tracks like London Bridge and Fergalicious are lyrically immature and musically uninspiring. Fergie does better when she tones down the saucy vixen routine and focuses more on the lyrics and the music, as in the reggae tune Mary Jane Shoes and Glamorous, which features Ludacris. Click on the image to buy now!
 

Ten Thousand Fists
Disturbed
Notice one thing about Disturbed? They have, so far, avoided the rock ballad that so many other metal bands have converted into commercial success. Their sound remains consistently raw, somewhere between scream-along lyrics and a slap in the face (it’s a welcome slap, though). Ten Thousand Fists is their most complete and impressive album yet. It charges out of the gate and leaves you energized, empowered, and breathless all at once. The remake of Genesis’ Land of Confusion is a fist-pumping, inspired effort, and follow-ups Just Stop, I’m Alive and Ten Thousand Fists make good use of great guitar riffs and lead vocalist David Draiman’s signature, almost bestial voice. Click on the image to buy now!