Madcon – So Dark the Con of Man – Hip-Hop/Rap

If you're outside the box in the first place, you almost have no choice but to bring something different to the musical table. Well Madcon (short for "Mad Conspiracy") is about as far outside the box as one can be. This Norwegian singing/rapping duo is comprised of Tshawe Baqwa (aka Kapricon; born in Germany of South African heritage) and Yosef Wolde-Mariam (aka Critical; born in Norway of Ethiopian and Eritrean heritage). Madcon is extremely popular in Norway, where they are also stars of their own "behind-the-scenes" reality show. In addition to the show, Kapricon was also the winner of the...

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Envy and Other Sins – We Leave at Dawn – Indie Pop

Once again, one of my favorite uptempo CDs is from England. This time it's the debut CD from a four-member group out of Birmingham called Envy and Other Sins. (I know, you're thinking 'bad, bad name". Hopefully for the next CD, they'll keep the sound and change the group name.) This group was the winner of the BBC/Channel 4 television talent show, MobileAct Unsigned, beating over 1600 other groups to win a record contract with A&M Records. Ironically, they were eliminated from the competition but returned as a wild card after being voted back by the fans and judges. In...

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Libera – New Dawn – New Age/Neo-Classical

Angelic, heavenly, lovely, exquisite. These are the adjectives you'd expect when describing Libera. What makes them different is a willingness on the part of Robert Prizeman, the choir's director and arranger, to step away from classical and choral music and record other genres. In addition to Gregorian chant, classical composers and traditional hymns, you'll also find classic poetry set to new music, new age arrangements of contemporary pop songs and original pieces written by Prizeman. Unlike the train wrecks that sometimes happens when classical singers attempt to sing contemporary songs, Prizeman has the right touch to make it work. Libera...

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Black Stone Cherry – Folklore and Superstition – Alternative/Metal

According to the members of this Kentucky rock band, they started playing music because there was nothing else to do in their small town, especially in a county where no alcoholic beverages are sold. I can't even imagine it. Playing rock music while sober just sounds wrong. But then again, a sober head may be the reason why this band is so good. Folklore and Superstition is the second album from Black Stone Cherry. The first track, "Blind Man," is almost an encapsulation of their debut CD. It has everything you love about heavy metal music...rocking guitars, bluesy feel, smart...

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Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires – Indie Dance

When you let kids play with their toys, sometimes good things happen. That's what happened with Friendly Fires. At the age of 14, this English trio formed a band called First Day Back and continued to play together until going off to college. After college, they regrouped, renamed the group Friendly Fires and set off to create the music they wanted to hear. Their resulting self-titled debut CD is filled with that addictive indie dance music I'm increasingly craving. You're probably already familiar with the track "On Board", which was featured in a Wii commercial. The rest of the tracks...

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Fink – Distance and Time – Folk/Acoustic

My musical personality is prone to wild mood swings. I can go from happy, bouncy pop to dark, moody music in a heartbeat. Generally speaking, though, there is a special place in my heart for downtempo and similar-sounding music...the kind of music that makes you close your eyes and slowly bob your head to its hypnotic beat. "Trouble's What You're In" is the perfect Exhibit A to present my case. So, indulge the control freak in me by pressing the play button now. If we're on the same page, you'll be able to close your eyes and experience this song...

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K’naan – Troubadour – Hip Hop/Rap

I struggle with the opposing forces of artistic expression and censorship, especially my own self-imposed censorship. That battle has made it difficult for me to enjoy many rap artists. As much as I enjoy the beats and the clever, insightful and sometimes humorous lyrics, I find it difficult to hear the "N" word. (I didn't attend the funeral but I sent my well wishes.) It's a word that's never been a part of my lexicon nor used around me (despite growing up in Selma, Alabama) and, therefore, continues to jar me each time I hear performers use it. As a...

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Asa – Asha – World

If you're not in the mood to hear another acoustic guitar-toting, sandal-wearing, free-spirited, political, bohemian singer/songwriter, then...too bad. I'll just hold you down while I play Asa's phenomenal debut CD in your ear. In the end, I won't need to exert much physical effort. Her delicate voice will ease your resistance before the end of the first track. Asa (pronounced "Ah-sha" and meaning "hawk" in Yoruba) is a Nigerian singer/songwriter of exceptional talent. She sings about exactly what you'd expect... societal injustice, love, life experience, hope. But don't worry, you'll never be bored. The combination of her poetic lyrics, superior...

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Amp Fiddler – Afro Strut – R&B/Neo-Soul

If a great education is the foundation in the achievement of great things, this man is on the path to legendary status. After spending ten years working with funk icon George Clinton as the keyboardist for Parliament and Funkadelic, Detroit-native Joseph "Amp" Fiddler then worked with Prince, the Brand New Heavies, Ramsey Lewis, the Dramatics, Primal Scream, Was (Not Was), Jamiroquai, Fishbone, Corinne Bailey Rae and Maxwell. On top of that, he was instrumental in introducing the world to hip-hop favorites Slum Village and A Tribe Called Quest. Now that's a variety of experience. Afro Strut is the second solo...

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Jupiter One – Jupiter One – Indie Rock

Brooklyn's in the house! And it's indie rock this time! If you're a sports fan, you're probably already familiar with their music, even if you don't know their name. Their single, "Countdown," has made its way into practically every sports-related video game and sporting event worldwide. But don't hold that against them if you're not a sports fan. Just prepare yourself for an excellent combination of alternative rock and new wave/synthpop when you hit the play button. Great things happen when musicians trained in classical music mix that background with other musical forms. Jupiter One takes that to an otherworldly...

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The Guggenheim Grotto – Happy The Man – Folk Pop

It's about time. I have been waiting patiently for this CD since I first heard this Irish trio perform on KCRW a few years ago. Their song "Told You So" from their previous CD is still a playlist mainstay. Since Finicky Mikey is a hardcore Crosby, Stills & Nash fan, I'm pretty confident he'll like this one. Though their sound is considerably more pop on this release, the folk elements (especially their harmonies) are still present. Despite the title, Happy the Man is a mostly upbeat collection of not so happy songs. According to the lead singer, it was their...

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Aline de Lima – Arrebol – Bossa Nova

If you're part of the crowd that thinks of bossa nova as "elevator music," you're missing out on some of the best music around. I beg you to put that insane thought completely out of your mind as you listen to the debut CD from this Paris-based Brazilian singer/songwriter. I wish I understood portuguese so I could enjoy this fantastic artist on an additional level. Her poems are described as melancholy expressions of joy and yearning. Add that to her beautiful, smooth voice and excellent musical production and you have music that accentuates any occasion. After leaving her native Brazil...

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Various Artists – Once – Soundtrack/Score

Even if you don't like musicals, you'll love this phenomenal underrated movie and the companion soundtrack. You may not even realize it's a musical until you're about halfway through it. It's an engaging romantic story of what happens when two struggling artists find each other. The film stars musicians/singers Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (now a real-life couple), who wrote the songs for the film. They also recorded a CD under the group name The Swell Season prior to the making of this movie. Even if you haven't seen the film, you may recall Hansard and Irglová when they won...

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Jason Mraz – We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things – Alternative Pop

We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things is the third full-length release from this incredibly talented singer/songwriter/guitarist from Virginia. His style of music is generally described as "blue-eyed soul" but you can easily see the many other influences in his music...from acoustic guitar/folk to funky R&B horns, to catchy pop melodies to hip-hop lyrical phrasing. It all comes together to make Jason Mraz a unique artistic gift. Jason Mraz moved from Virginia to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy but dropped out after a year. He eventually moved to San Diego and quickly became a favorite...

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Halou – Wholeness & Separation – Electronica

I must admit I'm a little close-minded when it comes to trip-hop. Though my mind allows an artist like Tricky to slip in with a special exemption (there's something incredibly special about his raspy voice), I usually want my trip-hop performed by a female singer....and I usually want the vocals performed on a sweet and sour mashup of lush strings and noisy beats and samples, especially when the resulting tracks have a dark, industrial or ethereal quality to them. Halou is exactly that. They do electronica exactly the way I like it and I can feast on their tracks forever....

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Duffy – Rockferry – Soul

Everything old is new again. The sounds of the 60s are once again making a comeback and noone does it better than Duffy (born Aimeé Ann Duffy). But, unlike the current crop of throwbacks who attempt to dress today's sound in yesterday's clothing, this Welsh singer cranks up the time machine and drives us back to the fat, bell-bottomed pop-soul sound of that decade. It's the good stuff. I cannot find enough words to adequately express how much I love this CD. From beginning to end, Duffy's melodious voice gives you your money's worth and more. It's absolutely amazing. She's...

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