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What I’ve found in my past times listening to Frightened Rabbit is nothing less than an emotion-filled jumble of clever lyricism and catchy riffs. State Hospital proves to be everything you’re used to as a seasoned fan while still finding something beautiful in every word professed.

The record begins with the title track that pulls you directly into an active portrayal of a broken home. The story seems to revolve around a single girl who’s “blood is thicker than concreteforced to be brave she was, born into a grave.” The inherent sadness has an equally noticeable allure to it when listening.

Check out: "State Hospital" from their new album State Hospital

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJb4uNi1VwU

Concerts 10/1-10/8

Birds of Chicago, according to their website, isn’t just a band – it’s a collective. Its main players may be JT Nero and Allison Russell, but they have a twelve-piece band standing behind them as well, bulking up their vocals and acoustic guitars with pianos, accordions, percussion, trumpets, and saxophones. Nero and Russell have been accused of being “the most compelling new voices to the American roots movement”, and after a few minutes of listening to their new, self-titled album, it’s not hard to see why..

 “Birds of Chicago” is 53 minutes of classic American roots sound; gentle vocals glide effortlesslyoverinstrumentals that are sometimes upbeat and funky and sometimes more subdued, each complimenting the mood of the story being told and never taking away or overpowering Nero or Russell. In “Trampoline”, the two main members of Birds of Chicago work together to drive the song, sometimes taking the lead and often supporting the other with harmonizing vocals. Later in the album Russell slows it down for “Before She Goes”, quiet enough to fall asleep to and yet powerful enough to keep you up at night. The change in pace and mood in the album is incredibly balanced, at times feeling light-hearted enough to dance to and others making you slow down to think; it’s an album that reminds you how powerful artists in the American roots genre can be, and how brilliantly music can sound when talented people are behind it.

CHECK OUT "Trampoline" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcPkUjoL-wE

Hailing from Third-Man Records, Jack White’s record label, it’s hard not to expect something interesting an original. Willy Moon (William Sinclair), bursts onto the scene swaddled in a dapper collaboration of sharp suits, retro blues, train tracks and some superb whistling.

               In “Railroad Track,” Moon opens with a percussion set almost identical to Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks.” Though

CHECK OUT "Railroad Track" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF479nQ-s8E

Concerts for the week of Sept. 24 - Sept. 30

Waterstreet Music Hall, Rochester, NY

 Sept. 26 - The Antlers @ 8 p.m.

Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY 

Sept. 25 - Thee Oh Sees & Ty Segall @ 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 - Das Racist w. Le1f, Safe @ 7 p.m.

The Grog Shop , Cleveland, OH

 Sept. 25 – Melvins Lite & Tweak Birds

Sept. 26 - The Henry Clay People / Tracy Morgan Freeman / Wooly Bullies

Sept. 27 - The Antlers / Port St Willow

Sept. 28 - Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s / Lost Jon & the Ghosts / Lowly, The Tree Ghost / Extra Medium Pony

Sept. 30 - Langhorne Slim & The Law / River City Extension / Hive Robbers

 The House of Blues, Cleveland, OH

Sept. 26 – Santigold w/ The Teen – The Stage Room – 8:30pm

Sept. 27 – Big K. R. I. T. – The Scene Stage at House of Blues– 8:30pm

Sept. 30 – Firepower Tour Feat: Datsik, Delta Heavy, Bare Noize & AFK – The Scene Stage at House of Blues– 9:00pm

 This is the second album of the newly-divorced duo that is Smile Smile. While the album has a seriously pop-like feel, the subject matter is pretty heavy. However, the pain of Smile Smile has spawned a stellar set of music. While “Marry a Stranger” begins the album with a somber, soft ballot that jokes that it would be better to marry a stranger rather than go through all the emotion again.Right after that you are hit by the much stronger “Next to Me” marked

Check Out "Smile Smile" Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IpIBhEMCys

      Even after 30 years, PSB managed to make some of their best songs in their new album, Elysium. “Leaving” is a smooth, catchy song about the scars of past relationships. However, after that the album turns bitter and corny, going in a direction that might not be favorable to fans of PSB or other synth-pop listeners. “Winner” and “Hold on” are a failed attempt at inspirational anthems and their pop-culture satires like “Ego-music” and “Your early stuff” are unmemorable. However, “A face like that” and the closing song, “A requiem in denim and leopardskin” somewhat rescue the album. The good in this album is very reminiscent of their 90's masterpiece, Behavior, but the bad in this album make it a good idea to avoid the whole package. 

 Dig good beats? Synths and other electronics perfectly crafted for dancing? That’s pretty much Nerd Revolt’s self-released, self-titled, debut album. Two classically trained musicians, taking on the pseudonyms iLL F.O. and m.0., front the band. They archive their saga at www.dejaded.com.

 Put on your headphones, crank up the volume, and dance. “Fallen,” track 8, soars. Immediately, the duo’s phenomenal talent as musicians and lyricists is evident; and iLL F.O.’s voice? Perfect. There are other album standouts. Track 7, “Running to Nowhere” captivates; again, with ILL F.O.’s voice.       

      The Great Impression certainly leaves an impression as Sparkadia’s newest LP release. This Australian act makes its biggest statement with the song “Mary,” which they released as a single this past Valentine’s Day.

      Echoing Queen, Florence and the Machine and inserting their own unique choral flavor, Sparkadia doesn’t just get their foot in the door, nope, they shoved in Jolie’s whole right leg.

      The album immediately picks up after that, following “Mary” with“Shoot Straight,” a chunky rock song with a haunting verse, reminding the listener that “the heart is the softest place, so shoot straight.”

                  The Great Impression is certainly an appropriate title for this album as it rocks the standards of indie-alternative. Sparkadia is definitely worth a listen, because when they get it—they really get it. 

Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csvAk2BfEXk

This short, self-titled EP packs a powerful punch as Rockets  really showcase the best of indie-pop music.

                  “Toad,” being the first song on the album, grabs you right away, settling you into a comfort zone of easy folky sounds, complete with vocals by the gruff male lead.

                  “San Francisco,” has a bit of Vampire Weekend-esque underlay, instrumentally speaking, but the deeper vocals play off the sopranic sounds well.

 “Madeline,” and “With Thanks” round off the album well, keeping the folky, pop theme consistent but giving each song their own flavor.

Overall, Rockets does very well, keeping everything focused and concise but allowing for the fun of making music to bleed through where it truly matters. The only bad thing about this EP? I really wish it could have been longer.

Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEZ00yEPpWg