Geoff Farina
Blobscape CD.

It's no secret that Geoff is one of my favorite songwriters. I forever have his lyrics in my head popping up in my day to day life. Secret Stars and Karate are two of my all time favorites. 'Blobscape' is an experimental records of sorts. It is a solo record but not like his other solo records. This one is a collection of sixteen improvisational pieces (out of a hundred recorded) all on electric guitar. I've read that Geoff studied improvisation so I expected to hear something interesting. It's not what I get. What we seem to have here is a bunch of songs that sound exactly the same. It's like listening to someone just making plucking sounds, hitting chords then scale runs like you would hear at any guitar store (minus Metallica or Limp Bizkit riffs). It goes on for the entire CD! What a disappointment! I won't be listening to this again. Kimchee Records.

 Ides of Space
There Are No New Clouds CD.

I recently moved out of the small effiency I've lived in for four years into a bigger house. Moving has a way of making lost things found. When unpacking an ungodly amount of boxes I opened one up. It had tons of promo CDs I had received over the past two or so years I had not really given a proper listen to. One in particular was Ides Of Space. It had a pretty cover so I popped it in and gave it a listen and I wonder how I didn't listen to this one before. It's beautiful slow pop music. It's got great atmospherics. It reminds me a little of the best songwriting parts of Death Cab For Cutie without sounding as soft or experimental. It's very full sounding and manages to stay sentimental. Better Looking Records/Architecture Label.

 Sodastream
In Between Times EP.

From West Australia via Spain comes a three piece band called Sodastream. They are adorable! They are oh-so-sad and cute. They come off like a cross between Belle & Sebastian and The Lucksmiths. The four songs are pretty sparse, using acoustic guitar, double bass and a simple drum setup. Karl sings "I won't be this happy again" and you just want to give him a big hug and pinch his cheeks. Aculera Records. PO Box 18136 28080 Madrid, Spain.

 Thinking Day Rally
Into The Blue Room EP.

Great mid tempo piano pop from Tampa, Florida. Thinking Day Rally bring top notch songwriting and arrangements with lyrics from an introspective point of view about growing up and moving on. "Autumn Time" is such a poppy rocker I can't help but love it. Members of The Maccabees! Brave Noise Records. PO Box 2268 Brandon, Florida 33509-2268.