New Music Roundup

I've been slacking lately on music, I've mostly been content with listening to my old CDs and the stuff I have stocked up in my iTunes. I haven't got any fresh blood in there in a while since I've been so busy listening to all of my sports podcasts. Those take up most of my time. But I've got a few new album additions that will be added to the rotation:

iTunes SESSION - Frank Turner
Frank Turner is one of my new favorites, definitely on heavy rotation the last few years. The man is prolific, constantly putting out albums, EPs and collections full of stripped down punk rock flush with all the passion, heart and dedication that makes punk rock work. This small collection is culled mostly from his newest LP, TAPE DECK HEART, but the best track is the older "Photosynthesis," in which Turner sings defiantly about refusing to give in and grow up just quite yet when he is still willing and able to do what he loves, singing and playing guitar, exactly what he's doing here.

LINDSEY STIRLING - Lindsey Stirling
A friend at work turned me onto Lindsey Stirling who I found out is a strange mix of dancer, composer and violinist. Her videos display her skills at all three of those disciplines. This album is a retooled version of her debut release, layering her swooping, swirling and soaring violin over rhythmic electronic tracks. She dabbles in Dubstep (I admittedly still don't really know what Dubstep is) EDM, Hip-Hop and classical, all with no lyrics and this album is really enjoyable. I have it attached to a long playlist that I keep on all night and these songs always provide a nice change of pace. And she's cute as a button.

BLACK SWEATER MASSACRE - The Reigning Monarchs
I love this group. The Reigning Monarchs are Greg Behrendt and Mike Eisenstein but as a proud Cuddlah, I'm all about Behrendt. He is a stand-up comic and author (He's Just Not That Into You) but frequently states that if he could only do one thing the rest of his life, it would be playing music. In addition to his podcast, Walking The Room, this is his passion project. The Monarchs play an instrumental mix of vintage surf, punk, ska and even a little heavy metal; it's fun and fast and loud with truly great musicianship, not just Good-For-A-Vanity-Side-Project quality. They've put out a number of EPs and splits and this is their second full length album. It was partially Kickstarter funded and delayed a little bit but it was worth the wait. One iTunes reviewer says "Black Sweater Massacre plays and I am instantly a sunglass-wearing Cali punk creature of infinite cool" which is better than I could ever put it myself.