Brian McKnight
Ten
4/5

Who It’s For: Any R&B fan
What It Sounds Like: The male version of a Beyonce album

When it comes to Brian McKnight, he can do no wrong. Whether he is belting out a gospel song or seductively crooning a soulful R&B hit, he always hit’s the target and pleases his audience with a voice that melts the hearts of women the world over.
So it’s no surprise to find that McKnight has once again embarked on a successful album that lives up to his audience’s high expectations. With Ten, McKnight flexes his mainstream muscles and dons an album with danceable tracks and upbeat melodies. The only thing missing from this album is a trademark McKnight ballad, without which the album feels as if it’s missing a key element.
All and all Ten is a great listen and definitely a worthwhile disc in the McKnight collection.
- Julie Hunter 

Maren Ord
Pretty Things
3.8/5

Who It’s For: Feminist folk rockers
What It Sounds Like: An acoustic version of an older Jewel album

If this is the first time you have ever heard of Maren Ord think Vanessa Carlton meets Michelle Branch meets Jewel and you get a glimpse of what Ord is about. With folksy acoustic guitar licks and a beautiful bluesy voice Pretty Things capitalizes on Ord’s undeniable talent and shows of her skill as a musician.
The biggest complaint I have with this album is that is definitely feels as if something is missing. The songs are great and Maren is talented but the record feels a little empty as if it could have been that much better with the help of a gifted producer.
Keep your eye on Ord, because even though Pretty Things will probably not be her hit record, she will have one, and when she does she will be unstoppable.
- Julie Hunter 

Tom Waits
Orphans
4/5

When I worked at a giant chain record store, middle-aged men would come in looking for new music a lot. Think about how hard it must be for someone who grew up on Zeppelin to go out and find something new that they like. On certain days I'd get lucky and they'd come in saying: "I want something like Leonard Cohen; I can't handle anything too intense anymore." I always lead them right to Tom Waits. This three disc set is exactly why. Despite the stripped down instrumentation on Orphans, the intensity of an artist who means every note he hits rings through. Of course, you already know that, because you already have this, right?
- Josh Fucking Last

Die Mannequin
How To Kill
2/5

I’m sure we all have friends that have formed bands, played together, wrote some songs, jammed, etc. Some of your friends may have even thrown down some money to record a demo to hand out at their cheap shows. That is what can be the analogy that can be used to describe Die Mannequin’s four-song debut, How To Kill.
There is plenty of room for improvement on this record and one could only hope that this trio does better on future attempts.
- Dan Bilicki 

Self Against City
Telling Secrets To Strangers
4.1/5

Who It’s For: The pop-punk fan you know that needs something to bridge the gap between Simple Plan albums.
Sounds Like: Not quite Simple Plan

If you pick up Self Against City’s full-length debut and expect something revolutionary, you will be disappointed; but I probably didn’t have to tell you that. If you pick up this album expecting some good pop-punk and nothing really more, you will be more than happy with Telling Secrets To Strangers.
Disappointing recent entries to this genre only help Self Against City at this point. Their catchy, sometimes up-beat, sometimes down-trodden songs have a good flow and come together well.
It’s too bad they’re part of a genre that’s slowly fading away. Well, until that new Simple Plan album later this year.
- Dan Bilicki 

Youth Group
Casino Twilight Dogs
3/5

Who it’s for: 20-somethings with affinities for woolen scarves, red wine and Dada art.
Sounds like/Looks like: Mid 90’s unaffected pop mixed with early 90’s shoegazer brit pop. Matchbox 20 with Jesus and Mary Chain.

Welcome to Art College! Here is your copy of Youth Group’s Casino Twilight Dogs to help you seduce naive art girls in your dorm room. This record is filled with typical sensitive college boy music. Oh my god, the holy trinity! It includes an even more melancholy cover of Alphaville’s “Forever Young!” Seriously though, this record/band is simple and sweet and influenced by the shoe gazing generation and work of Belle and Sebastian. Youth Group take sadness and turn the knob to make it just happy enough to study for your final on post modern whatever course you’re taking. Either learn to play acoustic guitar and write songs to cry about, or listen to this record made by sensitive boys. It will affect your life in the same manner.
- Jackson Main