Band: Seu Jorge
Album: Life Aquatic
www.seujorge.com



This is a refreshing album for someone that has been to Brazil or even lived there. Solo acoustic performances with the light feel that laces the Brazilian culture. Jorge’s rich baritone vocals make each song thick with soul and even if you don’t speak Portuguese you are sure to dig it. Covers include Bowie’s ‘Changes’ as well as some other greats. The cover art says it all…it’s a man and a guitar just strolling along…Relaxa!

Band: Cracker
Album: Cracker
www.crackersoul.com



Alright…so this is fairly old album, but not a dated one. The songs are strong. The songs are great. The songs still ring true. Track one ‘Teen Angst’ is a brilliant anthem full of lyrics like, “because what the world needs now are some true words of wisdom, like La La La La….” You almost have to laugh at how blatantly sarcastic David Lowery’s writing gets. But really the entire album is full of hook ridden rock ‘n roll with shredding lead guitar and words that will make you think of why things are why they are…? Take a second to jump back to an album that was a staple Alternative rock record before there was even a label to call it that. Be sure to take a special listen to ‘Someday’, ‘Can I take my gun to heaven’ and ‘Another song about the rain’.

Band: Agent Sparks
Album: Not So Merry (EP)
www.agentsparks.com



I can’t quite pinpoint what Agent Sparks makes me feel, somewhere between excited and tense. They provide an explosion of noise with a douse of matter-of-fact vocals that include both male and female voices. Pop hooks that aren’t pop with punk energy that’s not punk. A unique record worth listening too over and over. I love the live feel of each track with count offs and little spurts to energy and the last track reminds me of a killer British pop song with a glimpse of some great PJ Harvey circa ‘Rid of Me’ and Veruca Salt’s ‘Seether’. Check it YO.