JV World.com

Band: Maroon 5
Album: Songs About Jane

Realeased back in 2003/4 this album must surely become a classic pop/rock album, if it hasn’t already. They’re sound is a really excellent fuse of R&B and rock with some really deep, funky grooves.

Awesome lead singer, catchy tunes, and some really interesting songs – intelligent music! If you haven’t heard this album you should get hold of one somehow!

Link: http://www.maroon5.com/

Band: The Zutons
Album: Who Killed The Zutons

This album has been around for a while now, but when I first got it I listened to it a lot. In fact, it's still in my car! They're a five-piece group from Liverpool in the UK and have an energetic modern rock style.

David McCabe's soul vocals are fantastic and many of the tunes are really buoyant and catchy.

Link: http://www.thezutons.co.uk/zuteconstruct/

Band : Nice Little Penguins
Album: Hits, News & Live

Nice Little Penguins are a group from Denmark that I’ve known about for a while now. They’ve got a few albums out. The latest one ‘Hits, News & Live’ is a kind of ‘best-of’ so a good place to start.

Their most famous song is called ‘Flying’ which you can hear on this disc or on-line. I think it was used on TV with Formula One broadcasts in Scandinavia.

Another great sounding Scandinavian band. I invited them to come to the GP24H race in Villars this year, but, unfortunately they weren’t free to come.

Link: http://www.nicelittlepenguins.dk//eng/nyheder.html

Band : Briskeby
Album: Jumping on Cars

'Jumping On Cars' is Briskeby's third album. It includes two hit singles "Miss You Like Crazy" and "Joe Dallesandro" which I really like.

They're a Scandinavian band with an indie-pop sound and just loads of different influences.

If you feel like branching out you should give these guys a try.

'Jumping On Cars' include these ten songs: 1. Joe Dallesandro, 2. Miss You Like Crazy, 3. Substitute For Love, 4. Shaking Like A tambourine, 5. Ocean Drive, 6. Out Of Town, 7. There Is A Wave, 8. Between You And Me, 9. Light My Way, 10. Bobby, Come Back

Link: http://www.briskeby.com/main.php

Band: Toploader
Album: Magic Hotel

This album is fresh, energetic and simply very, very good. I really enjoyed listening to it. Anybody who liked their first album, will love the second. It is at least as good and I believe better than their first one!

Artist: DIDO
Album: No Angel

This is a surprising album. Dido has a great, soft voice, however she can also belt out some of her songs. Her voice and style reminds me a lot of The Cranberries.

Most of the album is quite mellow, still it has that 'pop' vibe with a touch of blues thrown in. The tracks on the album have very interesting rhythms. You definitely don't get bored listening to this album.

My favorite song is 'Don't Think'. It's an interesting melody and the way the song evolves, it's really easy to get into.

I really enjoy listening to this album and usually play it in the motor home during race weekends.

Artist: ALAN FREW
Album: Wonderland

This is a good album from the lead singer of 'Glass Tiger', an 80's band.

I really enjoyed listening to the whole album. It's basically a good, pop rock album.

Alan has a great, controlled voice. For fans of the band Glass Tiger this is a must. However, this has a more instrumental sound. Less synthesized than the Glass Tiger album.

Basically, this album has nice melodies and nice music. Easy to listen to.

Artist: BLUR
Album: The Best Of Blur

A fantastic compilation. I never knew Blur had so many good songs!

A good part of their lyrics are funny and witty. All eighteen of their tracks are great with very interesting arrangements.

My favorite song is 'Tender' which is a gorgeous ballad. The other song which I really like is 'Country House'. What they sing about in this song and how they sing it I find hilarious.

This is a must buy.

Artist: MARIE WILSON
Album: Real Life

This is a great acoustic rock album.

Marie Wilson has a strong voice which expresses a lot of personality and emotion. The album contains a lot of acoustic rhythm guitar. Even though there are some strong rock songs they are not loud or harsh - it's more like folk rock. My favorite song on the album is 'Runaway'. It's the slowest song, but it's not a ballad as such. I think it's probably the most different of all the songs on the album.

I really got into this album. If you like the first song, you'll like the whole album. It is a very good album.

Artist: THE WEAKERTHANS
Album: Left and Leaving

Another great band and album, discovered during my stay in Australia.

This rock band is similar to Semisonic and Travis, but possibly, slightly more 'folkier'. It's a very unassuming album with a very dry sound. Dry and crisp. What I mean by that is that you hear the lyrics very clearly, which is a rare thing. The songs are also very humourous and unimportant, meaning that the lyrics are almost like a conversation you might have in everyday life.

One of my favourite songs off the album is 'Left and Leaving'. It represents what I was saying about the lyrics being just like your having a chat with a friend. I also like the fact that it's very acoustic.

I really enjoy listening to this album.

Artist: POWDERFINGER
Album: Odyssey No.5

Another great discovery for me, although it's not their first album.

This is a good rock album. Once again, it's not agressive and has really nice melodies. The lead singer has a nice voice and interesting sounds. Even though it's not loud and fast, it's got a lot of energy.

It's another album that is really good from the first to the last song. I highly recommend it.

Artist: MARK SEYMOUR
Album: One Eyed Man

Mark Seymour is previously of the band 'Hunters and Collectors'. This is a great, great album of soft, rock pop. It's soft and mellow. It's got good beats as well. It's 'soft', meaning non-aggressive. I don't mean sleeping music.

From the moment you press play to the end of the last song, it's very easy and great to listen to. Fans of Crowded House should love this, as it's a similar vibe.

It's a must buy.