Plain Jane Automobile - Your Tomorrow - First Reaction

Plain Jane Automobile’s new album, Your Tomorrow, is set to be released on May 9, and it’s probably one of my most anticipated for this year. I’ve loved PJA since I saw them on tour with Ours 3 years ago, and not only are they fantastic musicians, they are fantastic guys. I had heard some of the new stuff last September/October, but this is the first time I’ve heard the cohesive album. And it’s really fantastic. Overall, it tells a complete story from beginning to end, and brings it full circle with the radio edit of the lead single You Were Only a Song. The album has a very U2-esque sound without losing the distinctive Plain Jane sound that fans have come to know and love.

Josh Groban Illuminations - First Listen

Josh Groban's first album in 4 years, Illuminations released this week. I downloaded it Monday night from Amazon and listened on the plane ride home from Atlanta. I have to say, I'm really impressed. I'd say the time that was taken to make this album was absolutely worth it. Wandering Kind, an instrumental prelude sets the tone of the album - its just a very pretty piece, with piano and strings and it gets you ready to hear the story that Groban has to share. I can actually see this used by a figure skater for a short program piece.

MWK - The Sanctuary Live Sessions - First Reaction

As promised Thursday night, The Sanctuary Live Sessions, an acoustic EP was made available for download tonight on MWK's web site - and they're letting you choose what you think it's worth. This is the first time that I've heard of an artist doing this, but I think its nice that even if you can't afford much, you can still get the music. The EP is a compilation of 9 songs, all of which but 1 were released on previous albums. The new arrangements are in a word - gorgeous. I love the piano throughout the album and it's really nice to hear Neal doing backing vocals. He and Andy harmonizing is just incredible. Make Me, which to me is a song with a challenge weaved through it (Make me fall for you, as if I had nothing else to do) is now a piano ballad, which closes the album perfectly.

Till I'm Blue opens the EP with an arrangement similar to the original but with some amazing guitar playing by Neal. Add in backing vocals and Andy's voice which has matured over the years, and you have a song that captures the attention of the listener from the get go. And if that's not enough, having A Circle's Anthem right after Till I'm Blue will just make you stop what you're doing and just listen. This is my favorite track on the EP because I love how strong Neal's vocal is in the song. We don't get much backing vocal from Neal at all when he plays with David's band, so its really nice to hear it. I love his voice - its a great compliment to Andy's.

Jimmy Gnecco - The Heart -- First Reaction

Thanks to spinner.com, I was able to stream and listen to this album online yesterday, prior to my download starting at midnight. And in one word - its absolutely incredible. (Ok, that's two words). It's deeply personal, raw, emotional, and touches my soul in places that I never knew anyone could except for Jimmy. I have heard a number of these songs live before, but to hear studio versions is a totally different experience. And through my headphones is the best way to experience The Heart, hands down.

On first listen, my stand out favorite track is Patiently Waiting. The piano in the beginning is just raw. And haunting. The words are emotional and dark - and the transition at the end into Its Only Love is perfect and beautiful. For some reason, I tend to gravitate towards the more emo, angry, and darker songs on albums first, and this will be absolutely incredible live.

The Heart is the Murder track on this album for me. Its great on the album, but live its totally intense and seriously just kick ass. Full band with the instruments, just jamming and letting go - I can't wait. I think I will like These Are My Hands more when I hear it live - I like it a lot, its beautiful, but it's definitely going to grow on me. Days gives me chills from the first notes, and does not let up throughout. Its another raw, hauntingly emotional song, much like Mystery is. I'd kind of like to know who or what he wrote it about, but I feel like its so personal, I'll never ever ask. It's going to be the track that will sneak its way into my brain and not leave, much like Ran Away does on Mercy since it is lodged between two very upbeat songs - These Are My Hands and Gravity.

The first half of the album is very stripped down (the first two tracks especially), but I feel like as this album progresses, it takes you on a journey. The tracks get faster in tempo, the emotion builds, and at the end, you feel like you've run a race but you want to go back and do it all over again. It leaves you breathless, with all the hair on the back of your neck standing up on end. I'm sure I'll have more to say over time, but I wanted to get all my first thoughts and impressions out before I lost them.

The Heart is on itunes, Amazon, at local indie music stores, Best Buy, and also available through Bright Antenna. Definitely pick it up, listen to it, and be prepared to be taken on a musical journey like no other.