'Nique writers review new buzz-worthy album releases

Honeytribe, Torch

By Mallory Velten, Contributing Writer

Devon Allman, son of "Southern legend" Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers, is the frontman of this quartet, whose music blends blues with rock for a refreshingly original vibe. Fans of Santana or the Rolling Stones will most likely find Honeytribe worthy of following.

Torch is softer than that of popular groups such as Nickelback and Greenday, with a sound more their own that that of bands such as the Killers or the All-American Rejects. Lead singer Allman's voice is reminiscent of American Idol finalist Bo Bice's, though you won't hear this rocker crooning unoriginal pop-rock diddies.

Other songs bring to mind eighties' legend Journey, though in an instrumental rather than vocal aspect. Although the album starts off strong, especially with the title track, it loses momentum about halfway through the CD. Still, the beginning of the album is good enough to warrant buying the whole CD.

Hit the Lights, This Is A Stickup... Don't Make It A Murder

By Michael Berger, Contributing Writer

This is the third album from the Hit the Lights, out of Lima, Ohio. Imagine Panic! At the Disco, Lit, and the Backstreet Boys joining for a tour de force of whatever it is they're playing on the radio, but not as catchy. The lyrics are over-emotional and perhaps a bit ridiculous, which might appease a crowd if sung in a whiny emo voice with eye liner and hair over one eye, but not if you are trying so very hard to sound like a punk rocker.

A quick listen through might find you enjoying the quick beat and the familiar sound, but if you leave the CD in, you will probably get tired of it . Still, the guitar and drums are well put together and have the sort of rhythm that makes your head bob. Even if you do not like a track, you will probably find yourself nodding your head, probably because you can't tell any of the songs apart.

Sandi Thom, Smile - It Confuses People

By Jonathan Saethang, Contributing Writer

There's no question why singer Sandi Thom's debut album, Smile...It Confuses People has gone platinum and dominated music charts in her native UK.

Taking on a new path to popular music, Thom uses her soulful, mature voice to carry lyrics full of youthful yearnings and emotions.

In her popular single, "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (with flowers in my hair)," Thom takes a look back to simpler times when "the media couldn't buy your soul" and "computers were still scary."

The beats from the tambourine, maracas, and ethnic drums compliment Thom's smooth, soothing voice. She "was born too late/ to a world that doesn't care," conveying her sense of longing for the life she never had the choice of accepting.

Lovers of Folk, Soul, Pop, and even Country have an opportunity for a new favorite artist in Sandi Thom. Though her mix of sounds and instruments is rather eclectic, her overall effect is one that most tastefully blends different instrumental sound from guitar to the tambourine and harmonica with her own smooth vocals.

Each of her songs incorporates at least one aspect of these musical genres. And each of these elements, some more than others, provide at least one song for many different musical taste helping to make this UK artist popular across the pond.

Zox, The Wait

By James Dailey, Contributing Writer

Zox's new album The Wait is a dramatic blend of alternative, ska, folk, punk, and indie rock. This relatively new band from Rhode Island released their first album only three years ago while working independently from a record company, yet they have quickly mastered their unique melodic sound.

The band cites such artists as The Cure, Counting Crows, The Police, and Wayne Shorter as their primary musical influences. The Wait is like nothing you have ever heard before, though, and Zox provides much needed relief from the blaring sound that is becoming modern rock. The completeness of Zox's songs lends it to a more mature audience than the typical high school-esque MTV hits. Instead of letting the lyrics carry the song, Zox lets their music carry their album. The result is a refreshing taste of what progressive bands will hopefully be doing more of in the future.

The best way to get a real sense of Zox through words is to understand what ska is. Ska represents a type of Jamaican music mixing older jazz sounds from the 1920's with folk and reggae music. Zox takes this sound and eloquently balances it between a guitar and a drum set. The thing that really sets Zox apart from other modern bands is the fullness of their sound. They don't yell into the microphone because they don't have to; their music stands on its own. With exhilarating electric violin solos and guitar play, it is easy to understand why Zox is becoming one of the most popular new bands on the east coast.