Jason Mraz "Love is a Four Letter Word"

         Love is a Four Letter Word, but so is LAME. I am not a fan of Jason Mraz, per se, but I do happen to like some of his music, and respect him as a musician. Mraz may not be the first, and he absolutely will not be the last, but since he sings about love so much why doesn’t he focus a whole album on it? I don’t think there is a better track to open the record than “The Freedom Song.” The island jazz  sound  is really energizing, and gets you psyched for the rest of the record; it is real easy to believe these lines he sings: “We've got some life to bring/We've got some joy in this thing.” The next song is easy and breezy, but has a little more zest for life than his first single from his last record, and is about “Living in the Moment.” This is true: “Sometimes the world can make you feel/You're not welcome anymore/And you beat yourself up/You let yourself get mad,” and it seems like there is no hope for reconciliation. If there is the only person that can give that to me that would be “The Woman I Love;” the piano is a nice touch on this one.                                  This is Your Life, and I know that it may not be easy to keep on going, especially when you are an existentialist and you feel that you have nothing to offer, but you need to say “I Won’t Give Up.” This song may be about a relationship, but this can be an anthem for anything really. What follows is a song about “5/6” minutes that could work as a Buffet tune. For this next song it seems like “Everything is Sound,” whether the rhodes, horn, ukulele(?), and everything else. Everything needs balance “Cause we all need the darkness, to see the light/In our own eyes, come on, and sing it.” “Frank D Fixer” was known to fix anything: “He'd reinvent the part to fix the broken home/He restored the heart.” There is nothing to fix here; as it is one of his strongest and most distinctive songs off of the record, and not only because of the harmonica, or the fact that is a loving ode to his grandfather.                                                                                                                      Before I really listened to the song I thought it was one of those songs written in heartbreak, and it might be about a heart breaking, but only because it weeps while it asks “Who’s Thinking About You Now?” The strings along with a bluesy The next tracks will be left “In Your Hands” to decide if it is worth the listen,  and “Be Honest” with yourself; are they worth repeated listens? Listen to them at least once, or you may miss out on two of your new favorite songs. It’s not hard for me to love the final song off the traditional release. “The World as I See It” can be a conundrum, a paradox, and simultaneously invites and rejects those who live in it. The hidden track is just as good too. There is a demo version of the first single and a live version of the finale off of the traditional; which I definitely recommend you listen to because it gives you a little glimpse of what a Jason Mraz show is like. If I was not a fan of Jason Mraz, and said that no song could convert me, or make me respect him, all you would have to do is play this next bonus track; within a minute I would say “You Fckn Did It.” I heard the live version of ‘The Woman I Love," but to be honest “I Never Knew You.” I probably will not ever get to know you because you won’t let me, but on to the latter track. It is completely worth it listening to the full track, even the several minute intro, and would it be off to reference Incubus? My favorites: The Freedom Song, Living in the Moment, Frank D. Fixer, Who’s Thinking about You Now?, The World As I See It (both studio and live versions), You Fckn Did It, and I Never Knew You.                                                                                                                         

Bad Meets Evil "Hell:The Sequel"

      When Bad Meets Evil you know that the album is going to be good. If this was an actual sequel it would be one of the best of its kind. The lyrical department gives you a greeting card that says "Welcome 2 Hell,” which feels like it also sent me back in time to when Em was known as Marshall, and he was a devil’s advocate that had a sense of humor; a twisted one, of course. Royce Da 5’9” compliments Em’s flow well in this minimalistic background to focus on said flow. Their lives are not the only thing in the “Fast Lane,” backed by some horn throughout and those auto-tuned assisted harmonies and strings to fill out the end. I must say I like Em’s verses when he mentions Ice and Swayze, and his crush; or whatever you call what Em has a case of for Nicki Minaj, but I think my favorite verse is from Royce: “war with' a bottle, this Captain Morgan attacks my organs/My slow flow is euphoric, it's like I rap endorphins/ made a pact with the Devil that says "I'll let you take me/You let me take this shovel, dig up the corpse of Jack Kevorkian'."  The chorus and backing vocals are real nice too. “The Reunion” tells an interesting story (based on true) and shows that Em can be as irreverent as ever, and Royce needs no introduction because his flow speaks for himself. This duo goes hard, there is no denying that fact, and the piano in the start may seem foolish, but is just what the song needs to start off this track with choral commentary sung by Claret Jai making her best Rihanna impression.                                                                                                                                                               No one is "Above the Law." Not even with  fiery flows like these: “Goin' overboard, like someone threw us off the boat, choke/Cough from all the smoke I'm tryna stay on fire/So you know if I hate f****' water-sprinklers I don't love the hose.” But this is just a squirt gun directed at an ocean; there’s much more. I bet some people are thinking “what’s this guy on?” I can easily retort “I’m On Everything” that isn’t listed in the song; which starts with an intro from Mike Epps (who also sings, or what production appears to make it sound like) and probably anything that is bad for you. This song seems like they are having the most fun; even with the improvised chorus sung by Royce, to the verses recalling the escapades after a certain hangover seen by millions. Mario Bros., Brett Favre (“Call me Brett Favre, spell it F-A-V-R, E, yep/It's wrong, other words I just f**** my RV up”) and other references, but “The sequel to Scary Movie, bad is to evil, the roofie to Roethlisberger.” If you ever want “A Kiss” from one of these two just beware because their lips can deliver more than just irreverence . The first single is a song that will be the closest to having a concert venue with a sky full of “Lighters” at a rap concert. Bruno’s vocals in the chorus seem to take you to Mars; this song is easily the most suitable to be a single. IF what you have heard preceding this track did not convince you to buy the music over downloading illegally than this song may cause you to do so out of pure guilt.: “But y'all better read my lips; I don't spit raps this ill/For you to just hack and steal and leak my s***, so peep my drift/I hope y'all don't think y'all helping me out with that s***/That s*** stressin' me out” or “Cause I break my back to give you my all, you steal my thoughts/It's like driving a spike through my heart/You might not think it's that big of a deal to steal from me/But music is all I got.” As if I need to comment on the quality of the rest of the verses, or the vocals of Claret Jai, but whatever information you “Take from Me” I hope you use it try this album out support this duo. I hear some “Loud Noises” in the Slaughterhouse, do you suggest I enter? I can say that this rap group goes by that name for a reason, and while our two hosts’ verses are bad enough, the guests inspire them to be a little more evil? Is that too cheesy? There are two bonus tracks, and the first song is not exactly “Living Proof,” but is a document of his struggle; while determination is to verses as grace is to no fall “As soon as I decided to put that bottle down and pick up my Todd Bridges/The writings on the wall.” Em’s verses effectively compliments those of Royce Da 5’9’’ as he tries to give him faith; they are uplifting, yet still a little shady. I like the instrumentals, they do work well with their verses, but if you just read the verses alone the music sounds a bit lighter than what it is. Whatever I have to say about the second bonus track may mean nothing by the time it reaches the eyes, so why waste an opinion bound to be ignored.  "I told these stupid h*** when I come back I'm a set this b**** on fire/And this time I don't mean I'm a pour gasoline on some chick and light her." All I can say is that this ferocity is much more than a mere "Echo" of what it started as.

M Ward "A Wasteland Companion"

       Because M Ward cannot Hold Time, or return it to an earlier time, he might as well find A Wasteland Companion. Nobody is perfect, and it’s not like he has anything to atone for (musically); If he does I overlook it. The good thing is that every record is like a “Clean State,” and this does not disappoint. No studio tricks, just good old fashioned harmonies and piano; as real as the “Primitive Girl” “from her natural head/to her natural toes.”                                                                                                                             There are those musicians, who fascinate the masses, yet there are some who are not fooled by the smoke and mirrors that often trail said artist. “Me and My Shadow” is a tale featuring one of those artists that M Ward is ready to expose.While in the next song M Ward has a “Sweetheart,” but they just like to make beautiful music together, and this song is no different in Zooey Deschanel’s second consecutive feature. This next song happens to be one of my favorites because “I Get Ideas.” It sounds slightly like that’s amore performed by…Roy Orbison comes to mind.  It’s always good to have friends, and those who you can count on; Ward mentions them, but then finds himself solely with is music toward the end in “A Wasteland Companion.”                                                                                                                                                 Most people would have loved to get paid to watch T.V. when they were younger, but now that you think of it wasting thirty years of your life watching the lives of those that aren’t even real? I don’t think I could stand to “Watch The Show,” especially with the side effects; if anything it is subtle frustration that is unsettling. I cannot help but think of Vince Guaraldi with the opening piano, and the song as a whole when I “Crawl After You.” I do like that the guitar sings the song that his grandmother has taught him.                         To catch a “Wild Goose” requires something I apparently don’t have, so instead I will just live without one.  How adding the embrace of your beloved can create “Pure Joy” is beyond me, because it is rare to feel completely content for a long time. The imagery creates that slow motion effect when running into that embrace just makes you feel good. Favorites: Clean State, Primitive Girl, Me and My Shadow, I Get Ideas, Watch The Show, There’s A Key, Crawl After You and Wild Goose.

The Fray "Scars and Stories"

           They promised that when working on their third album they would have some songs that are not typical of their sound, or that they were experimenting. Three albums in they sound the best they ever have on record; diverse in more than just sound. Remember, scars always make for better stories. The first song is nothing completely different, but still affects my “Heartbeat.” It has just the right amount of what you need from them, and what you want. The dreamy backing harmonies of the “The Fighter” during the chorus spar with the steady beat. The challenger is a worthy opponent, and adds something newer to the mix. There is something about this next song ,“And I don't know what it is, what it is, what it is about you/What it is, what it is but ohhh” you just “Turn Me On.” Maybe it is the slightly funky guitar tones, piano, rhythm, and attitude under that thick pop-rock sheen. The following track has a country aftertaste, “Run For Your Life!” I’m just kidding, I don’t mind country.                                                                                                                            I Don’t Wanna Wait before our lives are over, so I will tell you to be prepared for “The Wind” as you sail across the sea. If you do not prepare, you may be like me as “I try to kiss the emptiness/I lost the line between the sky and sea.” If you get blown away by the song you cannot say it was without warning. From a shanty to a tale of two brothers born in “1961” they continue the winning streak; the rhythm is great on this one, but the fact that falsetto is reached by Slade and those strings at the end are more memorable.  “No, it won't be the same again (to the ending, to the end)” when I reveal this as a metaphor to the Berlin, but your enjoyment should not be affected.                                                                                                                      I’m sure wherever you live, it doesn’t have to be in “Munich,” you question what is life? I have to say this song is the closest to present-day Coldplay, at least when backing harmonies are concerned. “Here We Are,” stuck in a swirling smoothie that blends dance-rock, lite funk, and blues, with a sprinkle of attitude and swagger; either it will quench your thirst or have you asking for more.  Two states in and "48 to Go," only two songs left and they’re taking it slow. A trip about an excursion Slade had with his wife when they got lost in each other (Not like that!!).When you have a trip you always go from point A to Point B and do things, but don’t always experience them, and this is what it’s about. “Missed an exit in Albuquerque/ We don't seem to mind at all/We pull over/The sun is burning/And we lay down to feel the rain fall. “Rainy Zurich” is full of moderate precipitation regarding a  prominent piano key piece during the chorus, and there is nothing left, but to “Be Still.” My Favorites: The Fighter, Turn Me On, The Wind, 1961, Here We Are, and 48 to Go.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Keane "Strangeland"

        They say that “life is not a destination, but a journey,” and to be honest I think the journey on the Night Train was more rewarding than the arrival in this Strangeland; that’s just my opinion. I am pretty keane on the sound though; it is not a bad record, just nothing that really excites me. I am reminded of Augustana and even Springsteen-inspired Killers’ tunes when I listen to opener “You Are Young.” It could just be that I’m “Disconnected,” but I cannot put into words why this is one of their best songs on this record. “Watch How You Go” is a siren song of a unsuccessful relationship; there is no bitter taste though. Not just because of a sound reminiscent to the era of the Beatles, but because he sings the words with love, and wishes her the best in her life. While on memory lane he passes the subtly electronic-tinged "Southern Light Café" to a time where melodies were simpler, but very memorable. The next song is their bounciest, and is directed toward anyone who needs a helping hand in what sounds like an honest declaration of friendship while “On The Road,” or falling off of it. It almost sounds like the end of another world as the “Black Rain” begins to fall, but in war everyday can feel like the world is at its end; every second. This epiphany is scary, and priceless when your experience is “over.” The rain had changed colors and tone, yet still just as ravishing as the previous track, and formed a “Neon River” full of undulating electronic subtleties. “Day Will Come” is an upbeat song revolving around the persistence of pursuing a dream; not a mere pipe, but a ladder to help reach the sky. There is a lot to relate to from a lyrical standpoint: “We dream hard, we shoot high/ Sometimes our fingers graze the sky/But we can’t hold on.” If success is imminent, it might not be “In Your Own Time,” but it will be the right time; success takes hard work, talent, and also patience. Even though there is nothing particularly special about “Sea Fog,”except making sea travel more cumbersome. Favorites: Disconnected, Southern Light Café, On The Road, Black Rain, and Day Will Come.