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The South Carolina quartet NEEDTOBREATHE comes out with the best album of their career with The Outsiders. From the opening banjo lick on the title track to the upbeat jazzy piano on “Girl named Tennessee” Needtobreathe goes back to their Carolina roots to create an album with both musical variety and spiritual depth. “Garden” depicts Jesus Christ in the garden praying with the Father ultimately asking, “Father let my heart be for You” in the strong pinnacle of the song. “Prisoner” comes out swinging with a strong addictive groove, perfect for a run on the treadmill. One of the unsung heroes of this album is the background vocals. They lend a hand to give each and every track on The Outsiders a distinct personality making it a very difficult task to choose a favorite track.

Key tracks: The Outsiders, Lay Em’ down, Stones Under Rushing Water, Prisoner, Girl Named Tennessee, Garden.

The Almost rolled into Minneapolis for a show at First Avenue on October 14^th.  I was lucky to get a chance to talk to the chill crew before they played for fans, who are highly anticipating the upcoming release of The Almost’s second album, “Monster, Monster.”  It was fun to see the personalities behind the talented band and hear more about their excitement for “Monster, Monster.”  I also got to hear how they feel about being an example of Christ as musicians.

Leeland, Brandon Heath and Francesca Battistelli stopped by the WVOE Studios before their concert last weekend.  Besides an interview, the group also sang an acoustic version of their new song, "Save Your People."  Check out the video on the WVOE Facebook Page, and while your at it, become a fan!

The interviews should be posted soon, so check back here to listen.

Innocence & Instinct (02.10.09) could ultimately be called a continuation of End of Silence in intensity and hard-hitting rock, a familiar sound from Essential Records breakout band Red.  And the same success is sure to follow.  Ten songs make up the album, nine of which are originals; one is a cover of the 1993 hit, “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran.  Fans of the English superstars will love Red’s version of this classic song.  The album’s overall message is one of intense honesty in the battles we all struggle with internally.  Sincere and evocative lyrics brought me in deeper and deeper with each passing song.  “Confession” states, “I confess I’m always afraid, always ashamed of what’s inside my head,” ultimately asking for the sin of our inner self to be removed in order to boast innocence.   This is just one example of why Innocence & Instinct will be seen as one of the best albums of 2009.  The hits will follow like the first video and radio release from the album, “Death of Me.”  I for one will keep this disc in my car’s CD player for months to come.