When people talk about pure voices, it’s usually in regards to some of the legendary songbirds from decades gone by. You know, musical mythics like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, Nina Simone and Karen Carpenter. Those angelic ladies whose voices have that singular heaven-sent tone that mixes talent, power, fragility and awe. Like a hurricane wrapped in velvet, they can soothe you and destroy you in equal measure. While that recognition sadly comes too late for some, there’s no doubt that Mindy Smith belongs on the pure voice list right now and actually has been for some time. Introducing herself back in the early 2000s with the one-two punch of stellar alt-country hit “Come To Jesus” and a jaw-dropping cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” Mindy cannonballed into the country music pool and made an unbelievable splash that’s still generating ripples. She’s released three incredibly strong full length albums, guested on albums by Olivia Newton-John and Dolly Parton, appeared on a variety of compilations and also created a cozy Christmas record that just keeps getting better with each holiday season. She’s currently readying her first independent album, Mindy Smith, for a June 26 release on Giant/TVX Records and fans are lucky enough to get two new cuts (along with two other great tracks from her previous albums) exclusively on her stunning new NoiseTrade sampler.

“Don’t Mind Me” and “If I” are beautiful sneak peeks into the vibe that awaits on Mindy Smith and also into the rootsy, jazzy, bluesy world of Mindy’s entire catalog. “Don’t Mind Me” is a saucy full band barroom number that slinks along on some tasty electric guitar work and Mindy’s confident, assured vocals. On the flip side, “If I” is a gentle acoustic ballad that showcases Mindy’s vulnerable high and lonesome register that signature stamps so much of her work. It’s these quite musical moments that truly seal her place in the pure voice pantheon. These two new tracks perfectly illustrate the unique heartbreaker/heartbroken dichotomy that threads through all of Mindy’s songs and exemplifies what is so special about her creative output. The other two tracks on the sampler are the fantastic “Come To Jesus” from her debut album One Moment More and the bouncy “Highs and Lows” from her most recent release, Stupid Love. I encourage everyone to download this great sampler. Even if you’re already a fan, the two new songs are awesome preemptive gifts from the upcoming album. If you’re not familiar with Mindy’s work, this sampler is a beautiful introduction, but I strongly encourage you to not stop there. Some folks are singles artists and some folks are album artists. You will not be disappointed if, nay when, you pick up her other albums. If you do it in separate pieces, just go the chronological route and start at the beginning with One Moment More, then pick up Long Island Shores and then put a bow on things with Stupid Love. That way you can not only exposure yourself to a flurry of incredible music, but you’ll be well versed and totally prepared for Mindy’s new release on June 26. I promise that Mindy’s pure voice will translate to pure enjoyment for you each time you listen.

Mindy Smith will be released June 26 via Giant Leap/TVX Records.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t walking after midnight, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

About a year ago, I had the pleasure of seeing Louis DeFabrizio (frontman for Gasoline Heart) open for Mike Herrera’s (MxPx) solo tour and I was really impressed with his rock/alt-country flavored songs. In high school, I was a pretty big fan of Louis’ band Dear Ephesus and after seeing him live so many years later, I was struck again by his new direction and the beautifully ragged tone of his voice. Gasoline Heart has a new album, Thanks for Everything, coming out June 1 and they’re putting up their amazing first single, “Everything Matters,” here on NoiseTrade. Meeting somewhere at the intersection of Pedro the Lion and Tom Petty, “Everything Matters” rocks along on restrained chugging verses and huge harmony-fueled choruses. When I first got my hands on it, I listened to it about 10 times in a row in an uninterrupted stupor of enjoyment. Gasoline Heart self-describes as “sloppy rock & roll” and I whole-heartedly agree as I love the gritty guitars and bombastic drumming pulsing through “Everything Matters.” No slouches themselves, the bass and piano are incredibly tasty as well. We’ve still got a little time to wait before Thanks for Everything comes out, but thankfully “Everything Matters” sounds good enough to tide us over until then.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t running’ down a dream, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

With a major label re-release looming on the horizon (Wilderness will be out June 5 on Serpents and Snakes/BMG), spirited rock ‘n’ rollers The Features have put together a killer compilation of “demos, outtakes and alternate versions” of some of their previous work for Still Lost, Volume 1. Mixing together a variety of influences with their own signature sound and energy, The Features write music that’s meant to accompany (or encourage) an all out party. You’ll find no ballads or slow dances on Still Lost, Volume 1. Instead, you’ll uncover a treasure trove of energetic, unpolished, melodic rock songs played at a feverish clip. As each song blasts out of your speakers, you’ll find yourself dancing along to the frenzied drums, fantastic bass lines and razor-sharp guitars that bubble underneath the awesome sing/shout vocals. With a handful of EPs and full lengths already under their belt, The Features have certainly shaped a unique sound for themselves. However, it’s still really fun to listen through the tracks and find the crumbs of inspiration they’ve littered throughout. For example, “Kari-Anne” sounds like one of the best songs The Cars never released, “Exorcising Demons” conjures up dreams of what a fleshed out, full band White Stripes might sound like and “I Will Wander” has a sassy Franz Ferdinand pulse to it. With an escalating musical buzz, soundtrack appearances and even a Ford Mustang commercial, chances are you’ve heard The Features somewhere. But if not, Still Lost, Volume 1 is a great place to get in on a good thing!

When writer Will Hodge isn’t wanting to be the boy to warm your mother’s heart, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

If you like the rustic stomp and clap of Americana folk revivalists and the raw, emotional vocal stylings of bands like The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show and The Devil Makes Three, then you’ll find much to love in the “tradition meets today” sound of The Lumineers. Acoustic guitars, mandolin, piano, back porch percussion, gang vocals and lots of heart all contribute to the fun, down home sound the trio creates. They just released their self-titled debut full length earlier this month and have also put their 4 song EP, originally called The Lost EP but redubbed here as Tracks from the Attic, up on NoiseTrade. Tracks from the Attic is a great peek into the earlier stages of a couple songs (“Classy Girls” and “Flapper Girl”) that made it to the full length and a couple (“Elouise” and “Soundtrack Song”) that are exclusive to this release. With pounding rhythms, singalong choruses and lyrics that mention Romeo and Juliet, Elvis and The Talking Heads, Tracks from the Attic will definitely put a smile on your face and a stomp in your boots. Also be sure to check out the video of “Ho Hey” below. It’s the first single from The Lumineers self-titled debut full length, currently available through all major retailers or directly from the band here.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t burning down the house, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

There’s no question that singer/songwriter/poet/creator Kevin Max is a bonafide renaissance man and a modern day agent of creative dissent. With his newest project, Fiefdom of Angels, Max combines a novel, graphic novel and an accompanying soundtrack to create an origin story for angels. While on paper that may sound daunting, Max delves deep into races, locations, connections and conflicts to shape characters worth caring about and a story worth telling. The graphic novel is rich in detail, plot and emotion and the soundtrack uses cover songs and Kevin Max originals to enhance the characters and arcs laid out in the story. Kevin has graciously offered a teaser of the graphic novel and Side One of the soundtrack here on NoiseTrade for a limited time.

Fiefdom of Angels: Side One is a five song EP comprised of four cool covers and one reimagined original. Using a spacious orchestral vibe and a haunting choir of layered vocals, each song breathes with atmosphere, melody and texture. With long intros, lush instrumental passages and airy moments of stasis, it’s no surprise that the listening experience, just like the overall story itself, is truly enhanced by a certain attentiveness. These songs do not want to get somewhere, as much as they want to create somewhere. While the new wave-esque cover selections were intentionally picked to relate to the story, they certainly could’ve been chosen on great song merit alone. Real Life’s “Send Me An Angel,” Joy Division’s “Shadowplay,” Queen’s “Dragon Attack” and Muse’s “Take A Bow” all get the same cinematic, chamber music treatment with inspiring results.  “End of the Beginning” is the sole original composition on the EP and has been floating around in demo form since Max’s Stereotype Be days.

The graphic novel teaser included with the download is a stunning 28 page collection of arresting story frames, helpful angelic race cliff notes, detailed maps, elaborate character bios and a condensed prologue to get you up to speed. More than just a story, Max has unfolded an entire mythology that is dense with individuals, collectives, places, practices, cultures and clashes that will tug at your head, your heart, your beliefs and your imagination. No matter your religious leanings (or lack thereof), Fiefdom of Angels will certainly get you thinking, feeling, discussing and dreaming in ways that you may not have before.  Max refers to Fiefdom of Angles as “my Magna Carta and my Opus, my Fifth Symphony and my White Album, all rolled into one” and with the magnitude of what he’s conveying, I think that’s dead on. I encourage you to simultaneously listen to the EP and read through the graphic novel, letting both the audible and visual elements weave together and reach you at the same time. With more stories and songs to come in the Fiefdom of Angels collection, wouldn’t it be better to immerse yourself from the beginning instead of trying to cram it all in later? Zero Issue awaits…

When writer Will Hodge isn’t back on Suffragette City, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

Warning: Please be advised that listening to Vintage Trouble may cause you to experience uncontrollable bouts of dancing, involuntary finger snapping and/or toe tapping and vocal adlibbing that may fluctuate between a grunt and a wail without warning. Please proceed with caution.

Imagine Otis Redding with a fuzz pedal, The Black Crowes with a punk rock drummer or James Brown with just a tad more attitude and you’ll start getting somewhere near the ballpark of L.A.’s finest soul-rockers, Vintage Trouble. With a vibe bred for rowdy juke joints and back alley speakeasys, Vintage Trouble blends Motown grooves and the Delta blues with a powerful modern backbeat and a fireball frontman. After a few singalong listens through their new NoiseTrade sampler, I had to wipe down my speakers from all the funk dripping out of them. Vintage Trouble released their debut album, The Bomb Shelter Sessions, in the UK in 2010 and it’s set for an American release on April 24.

The first single from The Bomb Shelter Sessions is “Blues Hand Me Down,” which is also the bombastic opening track on the 4-song NoiseTrade sampler. Pounding drums, greasy electric blues riffs, danceable bass lines, frantic tambourine and ringleader Ty Taylor’s howl and scat deftly propel “Blues Hand Me Down” into a fleet-footed frenzy. (In the spirit of full disclosure, there’s a little spicy language on this track, so you may want to pre-screen it before having a living room dance party with the young ‘uns). The other three tracks on the sampler include a live recording of “Love With Me” complete with audience participation, an acoustic bluesy romp through “Nancy Lee” for Q Radio and the gospel-tinged “World’s Gonna Have To Take A Turn Around.” I love this closing track as it almost sounds like a Tom Waits song with Sam Cooke on lead vocals. Vintage Trouble plays with intensity and force but they let their songs breath and groove as well. It’s a beautiful mix and one that would seem even more fun in a live setting. Just be sure to wear your dancing shoes!

When writer Will Hodge isn’t getting on the good foot, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

Starting in mid-April, Jars of Clay is hitting the road for a short run of shows and they’re bringing along special guests Leagues and Matthew Perryman Jones for added sonic oomph. To commemorate the event, all 3 bands have joined together to produce a killer Tour Sampler here on NoiseTrade, with all tips going directly to help out Blood:Water Mission. No matter where on the familiarity meter you fall with each band, this sampler is definitely worth the download. Each artist contributed two songs a piece and even at EP length, this sampler is totally spilling over with incredible music, intriguing lyrics and impressive musical talents.

As far as the specific songs, there are some really nice gems to be found on here. The multi-faceted musical creators in Jars of Clay offer up the driving “Small Rebellions” from The Shelter and the hard-to-find meditation of “Body and Wine.” Leagues (the super exciting new group made up of musical journeymen Thad Cockrell, Tyler Burkum and Jeremy Lutito) chip in two tracks from their self-titled debut EP, the snappy “Haunted” and the downright danceable “Mind Games.” Golden-throated singer/songwriter Matthew Perryman Jones sweetens the deal with the previously unreleased “O, Theo” and the smooth pulse of “Until The Dawn Appears,” which just so happens to feature the vocal stylings of fellow tourmate Thad Cockrell. As you can see, this is no ho-hum, run of the mill compilation. It’s jam-packed with some of the best music, melody and musings you could find in one place and I highly recommend downloading the sampler, giving to Blood:Water Mission and (if you’re geographically able) supporting the tour.

Jars of Clay 2012 Spring Tour:

4/12 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe

4/13 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s

4/15 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom

4/16 – St. Louis, MO – The Old Rock House

4/18 – Fort Wayne, IN – University of Saint Francis

4/26 – Monroe, LA – Monroe Civic Center

4/27 – Dallas, TX – The Door

4/29 – San Marcos, TX – Texas Music Theater

Tickets can be purchased directly from the Jars of Clay website here: www.jarsofclay.com/tour

When writer Will Hodge isn’t under African skies, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack.

(For best results, try singing the Peaches and Herb classic “Reunited (And It Feels So Good)” in your head while reading.)

During the all-too-short-lived ska revival of the 90’s, Five Iron Frenzy and The Orange County Supertones were two of my favorite go-to bands. Having seen them both a handful of times in concert (thanks to AtlantaFest and super cool clubs like The Pterodactyl) and wearing out their respective albums throughout high school, I can safely say each band genuinely earned their spot at the top of the horn-laden heap. Both bands had some of the best animated front men, melodic horn blasts and danceable bass lines since the days of Madness, Fishbone and The Specials. Not to mention, whether it be suits and shades, Star Trek uniforms, basketball shorts or camo gear, both bands were full of snazzy dressers. But the similarities don’t end there! Currently, both bands have reunited, are working on albums AND have brand new singles available on NoiseTrade!

Five Iron Frenzy are currently offering a new song called “It Was A Dark and Stormy Night” and a quick listen will show they’ve picked up right where they left off. The punchy music, hopeful lyrics and Reese’s unmistakable vocals are all there. After launching a Kickstarter campaign back in November, they reached their $30,000 goal in just 55 minutes. Yep, go ahead and read that sentence again, I’ll wait… I know right?!? Well if that wasn’t enough of a vote of confidence from their fans, they are currently sitting at over $207,000 pledged, with all extra money going to promotions and touring. You can check out Five Iron Frenzy’s Kickstarter campaign here.

The Orange County Supertones have just released their first single “On The Downbeat” and I dare you to listen to it without jumping up and dancing along. I first listened to this one at work and I’m STILL cleaning up the mess I made of my cubicle. I completely love the sound of the new song and the lyrical nods to The Ramones and The Offspring certainly bring a smile to my face. The O.C. Supertones just started their Kickstarter campaign and with a little over a month to go, they still need a little help to get the album funded. You can check out The O.C. Supertones’ Kickstarter here.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t partying at Ground Zero, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack

Kyle Lee has already been successful performing, writing and producing for other artists, but he’s quickly making a name for himself after stepping up to the mic on his own. His new single, “Make You Happy,” can currently be heard on commercials for NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? and it will soon be heard drifting through car windows and beachfront speakers throughout the upcoming spring and summer. Bouncy acoustic guitars, sun-soaked vocals and love-laced lyrics perfectly soundtrack the dog days of summer and “Make You Happy” is hitting just in time to spice up any farenheit-fueled mixtape. While Kyle mostly writes in the pop, rock and country genres, he intentionally wrote “Make You Happy” with the idea of film and TV placement in mind. By landing in the promos for Who Do You Think You Are? right out of the gate, it’s safe to say his creative hunches were right! Plus, it helps that the song sounds really great and settles into the recesses of your brain after just one listen. So just save yourself some time and go ahead and download and enjoy the song now, instead of hearing it in Target and then obsessing over it in your sleep until your Google lyric search turns fruitful. Summer’s on its way folks, so get your sonic sunscreen ready now and get “Make You Happy” for free (or for a generous tip!) here at NoiseTrade.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t out there having fun in the warm California sun, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack

As folk-pop duo Jenny & Tyler get ready for their next album, Open Your Doors, to be released April 3rd, they’ve got their most recent album, Faint Not, available for download for a limited time here on NoiseTrade. Just to sweeten the deal even more, they’ve even included three new songs, “Little Balloon,” “Abide” and “Skyline Hill,” that were recorded live at Peptalk Studios as an enticing bonus! Jenny & Tyler combine their hearts and their talents in such a way that their lyric-rich songwriting is both an encouragement and a challange to the listener. While the music is good enough to be enjoyed at the casual listener level, there’s much to be mined if you really take the time to dig into the songs. Here’s my initial impressions of Faint Not from my original review of its release:

Finding a husband/wife acoustic duo in Nashville is admittedly not that hard to do, so each one has to have something unique to offer if they want to rise above the collective noise. For Jenny & Tyler, that uniqueness is found in honest, hope-filled lyrics delivered through powerful, earnest vocals. For their latest release, Faint Not, Jenny & Tyler showcase their talents by writing songs that deal with both the beautiful and ugly aspects of life within the light of a promised future. In their own words, Faint Not “chronicles our journey of faith over the past year and a half. It’s about not growing weary in seeking truth, loving God, and loving people.” These concepts are hard enough to live out, much less distill down into a 4 minute song, without coming across as flippant or clichéd. But that’s one of the areas where Jenny & Tyler really stand out; their ability to convey these big truths in a genuine and believable way. Their vocals and melodies carry the lyrical weight perfectly and help each line settle into your head and heart. They don’t shy away from the painful parts and they don’t cheese over the positive parts. Each song carefully strikes a balance between the two with a longing hopefulness holding it all together. Faint Not also has a really cool musical vibe of acoustic based folk-pop songs that are fleshed out with great instrumentation and equal moments of emotion and reflection.

If there’s such thing as an album’s thesis, the title track, “Faint Not,” would absolutely be it. It totally encompasses Jenny & Tyler’s spirit of endurance and expectancy in the midst of heavy situations. The verses detail the circumstances of what our eyes see and the choruses encourage us to hold tightly to what our heart believes. It’s truly a beautiful thing when a song can point out darkness and light in such a truthful, uplifting way. This psalm-like approach can also be felt in songs like “Dreaming of Peace,” “Through Your Eyes” and “Holding On To Hope.” Jenny & Tyler sing about the beauties of married life as well in both tender (“As Long As Our Hearts Are Beating”) and humorous (“Stop Staring At Me”) ways. The pleading “Carry Me” contains a nice guest vocal, as they are joined by Mac Powell (Third Day) for the comforting call and response chorus. If there’s any question of whether these Nashvillians-by-way-of-Delaware truly feel at home here, they answer it by turning in a great cover of the Carter Family standard, “Anchored in Love.” Led by mandolin, acoustic guitar and gorgeous vocal harmonies, this is absolutely one of my personal favorites from the album. Each song on Faint Not reminds us that the answers are not found in ignoring the news or in disconnecting from our conflicts but in facing the storms with faith and hope. Jenny and Tyler accomplish the daunting task of challenging us to fully engage life, while encouraging us to not be taken under by the struggles. This talented duo has been popping up in more and more places lately and one listen to Faint Not will show you that it’s well deserved and only the start of even greater things to come.

Jenny & Tyler’s new album Open Your Doors will be released on April 3rd.

When writer Will Hodge isn’t being easy like Sunday morning, you can find him running off at the keyboard about music, concerts and vinyl at My So-Called Soundtrack