This is a Boston-based group of young musicians throwing their lack of hats in the ring. The first impression one gets from listening to the music of Therefore I Am is lack of pretension. This group seems to combine a knack for writing lyrics with the ability to play hard rock.

The new EP, Escape isn’t labelled. Yet.

This is rock, of course. It’s indie, of course. But it’s also “happy hardcore,” which is different in a pleasant sort of way.

“You and No Other” is pounding it out, screaming it out, but with some harmony in the vocals and a bit of dynamics. Still, it seems this young group, like many others, can’t keep from sending frustration and passion through the amps and sound system. Really, they can’t.

Check out “45 Miles” from the same collection.  Is that a tune well thought-out and melodic? Surely not! It’s a sample of passion and frustration of another sort. I mean, this group actually wants to get on that train tonight and be there to sing her to sleep. Nice! Ditto for “Deep in the Cell.”

Therefore I Am plans to play a limited number of gigs in the New England area, including Londonderry, New Hampshire. Apparently this date with The Human Flight Committee is tied to the CD release. In addition, the group has set a May 2 date in Providence, Rhode Island. Firm dates aren’t set at this point, but Therefore I Am should soon be on tour with three other groups, with the schedule centered in Massachusetts.

Therefore I Am on MySpace

[tags]Therefore I Am[/tags]

Not too many current musical groups cite King Crimson as a musical influence. Actually, none have, until Canon. This may be because the current crop of young musicians wasn’t around when In The Court of the Crimson King was a favorite. If mom and dad didn’t keep those vinyls around, it would difficult to truly be influenced King Crimson. Fortunately, a few young musicians do know quality when they hear it.

This Hollywood-based group also cites rock legends Yes and Jethro Tull as influences. With that type of focus, how could the music by anything but good? The tunes, in fact, are pretty good, with Jason Turbin providing the lead vocals and the keyboards. The strength of the keyboard in Canon music should be no surprise to those familiar with the three major groups mentioned earlier. All three used piano and electronic keyboard to create.

But Canon includes Benji Pope on bass, Cassidy Turbin on drums and Tieg Johnson on guitar. While Turbin seems to be the major contributor to Canon’s effort, the other musicians should not be categorized as backup workers. The construction of songs such as “Euromatic” and “S O S” (Wide Awake 111 Records 2008) has far more content than one person could contribute. “Don’t Trust the Teachers” is not a new-concept song, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Canon on MySpace

[tags]Canon[/tags]

This writer should probably pass this performer on to someone else, but we will try to be objective about Andy Davis, a young keyboardist/songwriter/singer. Not everyone will fall in line with what appears to be an uncomplicated love-song style or the soft, easy-listening ballads. But the music is considerably more complex than it first seems. “Union and 3^rd” (Let The Woman 2007 bigHelium) will probably be one of those tunes in the hate it/love it category.

The title track “Let The Woman” is, like many of Davis’ tunes, keyboard driven. He is an accomplished key player. One of his songs, “Black Keys” actually states something like “it’s easier on the black keys,” when every beginning piano student knows the white keys are the easiest. A few more listens might uncover the true meaning of this nice song. Davis also does a creditable job on the acoustic guitar. Some will find “Call a Spade a Spade” might be one of the stronger songs on the collection.

As for live performances, never fear. Davis is a traveling man, covering Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and single stops in half a dozen other states. He signed an exclusive distribution deal with Barnes & Noble in 2007, a decision that put his CD in one of the most popular book/music locations in the country. Davis is on his way.

Andy Davis on MySpace

[tags]Andy Davis[/tags]

All right, folks. This is different!

If you, the listener, are expecting some straight up rock and roll, or even something close to jazz/blues such as some of the new young bands are incorporating into indie music, you will be surprised when you fire up “Lemon Hill” (Lemon Hill Marcata Records 2007).

This sound experience has one thing that fits with most of the other music you are used to – a fairly steady beat. Beyond that, it’s, well…..I don’t know. Check it out.

“Red River” a 2007 tune, is built on the same style of treble-heavy guitar as “Lemon Hill” but the vocal on “Red River” comes through as a Bob Dylan sound. Actually, the front man from The Walkmen probably sings a bit better than the legend, just enough. It’s just right, though.

These are relatively short songs, nothing like the 1960s extended versions of rock and nowhere near what some of the growl/screamo bands are attempting.

“Louisiana” (A Hundred Miles Off 2006 Record Collection) has a softer ballad feel and makes a case for The Walkmen being a listenable group. In the end, New York does spawn some fine musical art. This tune includes some horn and keyboard treatment that will please the aficionado. Try this as well. “All Hands and the Cook” from the same collection, is recommended for those who are truly looking for something that stretches the band’s limits and the listener’s limits.

The Walkmen will be at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, at the Capitol Theater in Davenport, Iowa, then at The Vic in Chicago. The tour moves on to Cincinnati, Mt. Clemens, Michigan and then into Pennsylvania. I, for one, hope to check this band out.

The Walkmen on MySpace

[tags]The Walkmen[/tags]

“Animals and Insects” from (Logic Will Break Your Heart) could be called a haunting ballad. In fact, it probably has been called that. The Stills certainly have found a way to put musical pieces together, but this tune is a bit more than the every day ballad. When the listener gets to the last third of the song, and hears the loudness increase along with the frustration, it becomes rather clear that “throwing grenades at a Christmas choir” might be a logical choice.

“Retour A Vega” is a much more melodic tune from this band that employs foreign languages, violins and more to bring the correct atmosphere to the front. The guitar parts are also excellent in this fine song-writing example.

Of course, this shouldn’t be so surprising from a Montreal gathering of musicians. In the group: Tim Fletcher – vocals/guitar, Dave Hamelin – vocals/guitar, Liam O’Neil – keyboards, Olivier Corbeil – bass, Julien Blais – drums.

New listeners may want to start their Stills experience with “In The Beginning” (Without Feathers 2006 Vice). Good song, with a fine keyboard treatment. “Helicopters” is from the same collection.

Bottom line- this is a talented group! But those who got on The Stills bandwagon early already know that.

The Stills on MySpace

[tags]The Stills[/tags]