Greg Laswell – Three Flights from Alto Nido

In a town plentiful of singer-songwriters, acoustic player Greg Laswell distinguishes himself as a diamond in the rough. Though his melancholy vocals might bring you to thoughts of Coldplay or even John Mayer, it is the instrumentation and lyrical content that sets Three Flights from Alto Nido apart. Starting off a bit slow, track number 4, Comes and Goes (In Waves) is definitely the standout in the first half of the album. With local phenom Molly Jenson accompanying, the soulful Laswell sings “...this one's for the lonely, the ones that seek and find only to be let down time after time” which kind of sets the general mood for the album. Laswell’s thoughts echo in themes such as rebirth and transcending loss. The second half of the disc is where Laswell excels with track 8, I’d Be Lying which opens with a simple first verse leading into a haunting chorus. The album flows well and, at times, as far as lyrics go, songs can almost blend together but with each new track comes a different instrumental layout keeping you engaged. Laswell’s contributions to television shows such as Gray’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill and his video How the Day Sounds demonstrate his ability to shine in different arenas. Greg Laswell’s brooding intensity, musical talent and scruffy good looks suggest that he’ll continue to contribute to the local music scene as well as to Lucy’s daydreams.

4 ½ Diamonds

The Sea of Cortez – The Sea of Cortez

In The Sea of Cortez’s new self-titled 7 track EP soaring guitars and simple harmonies are the name of the game. You get a true sense of the indie scene in San Diego with this EP and its’ well rounded construction leaves a good taste in your mouth. The first track of the record, Intro, a short, instrumental segway seems a bit out of place but every other track on the EP brings something different to the table. Track 2, Mystified is a good place to start. The guitar is strong but the lyrics are still audible relieving the listener of having to replay to discriminate the message. Track 4, The News displays the band’s ability to easily mitigate the transition in and out of acoustic tracks fluidly. This song is a gentle number which as the lyrics state can carry you down the highway, it opens fittingly with the sound of the seashore and the chorus is catchy enough that you may find yourself repeating it throughout your day, “How do you like my news?” The track, High and Low (II), number 6, showcasing some piano work and longingly lonely lyrics evoke the sound of John Lennon’s solo work. This track is definitely worth a second listen. The Sea of Cortez’s 7 track EP is an excellent representation of what a good pop band should be.

4 Diamonds

The Vision of a Dying World – Receive a Skelephone Call from Eastern Side

The 4^th release by The Vision of a Dying World solidifies the fact that this band and the Milgaten brothers are well on their way to becoming a fixture in the music business. The first of many acts that they put together, this release is probably their best work to date. A bit more edgy and darker than some of their previous releases, the whole CD has some pretty complex time signatures, awesome drumming, a plethora of twangy guitar solos, and a handful of soothing melodies engineered by the two brothers, Jackson and Keith. The CD overall has a folky vibe to it that makes you want to get up and dance. The most appealing track of the album would be the title track, Skelephone Call because of the simple breakdowns as well as the intriguing lyrics like, “All my insides stretched out on a clothesline in her yard.” The drum breakdowns throughout the record mixed with the vocals draw you into the story and the simple arrangement keeps you easily involved. File this album as yet another prolific release from The Vision of a Dying World and more specifically the musically gifted Milgaten brothers.

4 Diamonds

The Jakes – Shake My Hand EP

Breaking the norm of the 4 or even 5 piece sound, this 6 piece band is an excellent representation of what can be done by mixing styles and melodies and proving that The Jakes are wise beyond their years. The 7 tracks of the Shake My Hand EP give you everything from rumbling drums, front and center vocals, to escalating guitars, and a keyboard that somehow brings the whole thing together. The thing that this band does best however is, it never leaves you wanting more. Every song is filled with hooks, melodies, overlaying vocals, and everything that a pop record should be in the kind of underwhelming way that currently dominates the pop music scene. Track 3, Cough Syrup is one of my favorites. Think a kinder, gentler Jimmy Eats World, a catchy itinerant melody with gloomy lyrics, “A dark world aches for a splash of the sun. Oh, oh, if I could find a way to see this straight, I’d run away to some fortune that I should have found by now.” The Jakes nail it with this record and will hopefully continue to do so at their live shows and much anticipated future releases.

5 Diamonds

Molly Jenson – Maybe Tomorrow

Although reviewing this album seems posthumous considering it won Molly Jensen a Best Acoustic Act award at the San Diego Music Awards in 2007, there is no denying it is an amazing album. The fact that she won for best acoustic act is a bit puzzling because there is so much more going on in this record. With the help of Greg Laswell, Molly has compiled 13 tracks, an emotional, alluring mix of folk, pop, and indie-rock that is instantly catchy and easy to enjoy. In the single, Give It Time, Molly croons, “There’s no use trying to make this go away,” perhaps revealing that she is ready for her career to start and suggesting the self advice to just let it happen. She transitions in and out of pop, at times, raw and edgy then swiftly changes to down right folky with such ease that it almost goes unnoticed. The ending track, my personal favorite, Wait For You Here is a testament to how effortlessly she switches styles from start to finish on this record. Molly Jenson’s range allows her to appeal to many different audiences much like fellow songstress Sheryl Crow. Hopefully, Molly’s universal charm will facilitate her rise in the music industry and influence the popularity of future releases.

4 ½ Diamonds

Gregory Page – Bird in a Cage

Twenty albums out, from solo projects to compilations to his work with the Hatchet Brothers and the Rugburns, Gregory Page proves that he’s still got what it takes to make a great CD. Like double malt scotch, age has added a smoky quality to his music and the wisdom of his years resonate in his words. Bird in a Cage utilizes southern sounding guitars, banjos, and quiet drumming, and pairs them uniquely with Page’s ever soothing and heartbreakingly honest English voice. The album presents itself almost as if Page is giving us life lessons through the tender lyrics he delivers like in track 4, Right or Wrong when he says, “There’s just one thing for certain, I promise you will see. It’s never too late to be the person you were meant to be.” The next track, #6, Foolish Heart has a drowsy bluesy sound to it that reminds me of Eric Clapton’s Unplugged. In the title track, Bird in a Cage, the organ sets the mood for the last song of the record as an eerie foray into a surreal commentary on human existence. Page slowly sings, “You fancy yourself pretty smart, you’re just a bird in a cage that never went far.” And, as if the original track wasn’t creepy enough, check out the Reprise, remixed by local genius Gabe Lehner of Metrofique and Inspired Flight fame. The song houses a shout out to North County as it subtly speculates on the whereabouts of God’s only son, “I heard he was living down in Oceanside turning salt water into cheap red wine, drunk on the beach laughing all the time under the starry skies.” This track is an excellent ending to an amazing must hear release that doesn’t disappoint on any level.

5 Diamonds