They're "Calling Your Bluff" (Again)

Ever since I discovered My Favorite Highway, over a year ago, I have been waiting anxiously for them to release a full-length album. Their debut, “How to Call A Bluff,” referencing a previous song title, does not even begin to disappoint. These guys are incredibly talented, and still relatively unknown.
The guys did a fantastic job writing the songs that truly stick with you. Each has its own unique twist but keep with the overall style of the album, which is a gentle, almost acoustic, pop sound. Most tracks feature guitars and drums, but occasionally piano is thrown in for a definite treat. It’s unexpected and brings a unique vibe to the songs, really an amazing thing to hear. The piano allows for the vocals to shine through. This creates a definite emotion that resonates with you, allowing you to feel the rawness of it all and begin to imagine the story behind the words.
My favorite track has to be “Bittersweet Life.” It’s absolutely incredible. From the start you know you’ve hit a special song on the album. It’s completely powerful, grabbing you and forcing you to keep up with it immediately. Not long and it has pulled you in, allowing you to feel the raw emotion and find yourself singing along to all of the words.
My Favorite Highway is an incredible talent, waiting to officially emerge on the music scene. Hopefully this album will gain them some more fans and make people begin to take notice of their abilities.

"They Play This Damn Song In Every Club... But It's Me So I'll Show Love"

Hugely popular in Australia, The Veronicas are slowly growing in popularity in the United States. Their album “Hook Me Up” is a fun pop album that showcases the girls’ vocal talents (all the while bringing you catchy hooks and songs that would bring life to any party).
The tracks each have their own unique sounds, very different from the others, which allow for a creative album that keeps your interest.
A track that immediately caught my attention was “Insomnia.” It has an immediate haunting vibe and the tempo of the vocals is fast-paced to keep in the style of the song as it takes over you. It almost feels quick or gives you an image of watching a chase as it progresses.
“Popular” is another standout track on the album for its in-your-face lyrics, not a song for the modest. It’s a song to blast with your shades on in a stern stance to all of your “haters.”
Lastly, another stand out, and my favorite track, has to be “Hook Me Up.” With lyrics that any one can relate to, it talks of exploring something new in a feeling of inadequate, boring, or being in some sort of “not nearly as successful as you could be” state of mind or lifestyle.
All of the songs have the ability to make you feel the emotions meant to be portrayed and bring a sense of fun that you can’t help but be drawn to and find enjoyable.

"Persistance, Resistance, One Man Can Make A Difference"

In mid-2005, CBS debuted “Rockstar: INXS,” a show searching for the next lead singer of the rock group INXS. The band suffered the tragic loss of original front man Michael Hutchence in 1997 after decades of performing and making great music. Through this show, the world was introduced to a relatively unknown artist by the name of Marty Casey. Casey finished second on the show, but this may have proven to be the best thing for him, allowing him to release this disc with his band of “lovehammers.” The self-titled album is a fist pumping, sing along and rock out good time from start to finish. It is definitely a high-energy album that catches your attention and Casey’s voice draws you in to listen on and on. His voice has a raw rock vibe that you can’t help but find enjoyable.
The lead single, “Trees,” debuted on the show and became an instant favorite among fans. You cannot help but smile and form some sort of connection with the lyrics. All of the songs are creative, with poetic and fun to listen to lyrics that make you think about their meaning after the song is over. All of the songs are on the rock side and are all basically close to the same medium tempo. There is not one track that you feel the need to skip, allowing the album to play straight through finishing before you realize it is even over and you have to start it all over again.
It is one of those albums that is just fun to listen to and enjoy without questioning it, satisfying fans' need for their music and waiting anxiously to hear more.