Proof we've finally turned a corner past downtrodden, slackergrunge posing comes in the form of Another Fine Mess, an Orange County band poised for major label attraction.  Their slickly produced debut EP offers five picture-perfect tracks of alternative power pop with nary a flannel shirt in sight.  Far from a demo, this showcase session, recorded locally at 20/20 and APawling studios, conveys a down-but-not-out attitude that fits.  Lead vocals and lyrics by Eric Jennings take center stage, backed by a tight unit with Eric Schink on lead guitar, Glen Kroemer on drums, and Troy Hughes on bass (recently replaced by Matt Mason, per the band's killer website.)  The tunes, all written by Jennings, convey love and longing on chaotic anthems 'Everything Crashes' and 'Great Mistake,' alongside upbeat ballads 'Orbit of Love,' 'Tragedy,' and 'Hurt Me.'  Every word and note jumps off the disc, thanks to producer Saul Zanona, who nails the band's sound.  They're seekers with a silver lining, wearing hearts on their sleeves but never giving up.

- DJ Wavy Davy

There are ghosts and thieves in the mountains.  Some are ghosts of a troubled past life, buried, frequently exhumed, and kept nearby to seek truthful revelations from their company.  Congregating with these souls is the band John Holt and Generous Thief.  Singer/songwriter John Holt's songs are observational studies of the human condition, melodic journeys which allow his words and music to breathe deeply through the musicians and listeners.

Opening this raw CD is 'Ruby,' the songwriter's jazz/rock electric guitar drifting in, mid-tempo.  Then he introduces us to his dynamic, raspy voice and lyrics, aching like Tom Waits, then sliding to a style like the best and sweetest Joan Armatrading.  Throughout the CD we find a cast of life's characters 'Soul Keeper,' 'Acid Queen,' and 'Foxy.'  'Low Slung Mood' and 'Nite Vision' are equally engaging.

Armed with his excellent and never overpowering band of Holly G. (bass), Dave Reynolds (drums and percussion), and the often elevating guitar style of Sean Powell (reminiscent of the late great Danny Whitten), they carry the songs back to the fold.  Where the ghosts watch, wait, and listen.  Which is what we should do.

- Ian Cunningham

Pop profundities or a terminal case of the cutes?  Twelve spins later and, alas, the jury is still out on this Brooklyn-based band.  Singer-songwriter Scott Klass certainly has the pedigree; he previously jammed with Chris Collingwood, who helms Fountains of Wayne.  And the Davenports' sophomore CD features some of the hardest-working musicians on the New York indie music scene.  Sure, Klass is a savvy peddler of the super-cool nerd persona.  He also crafts a seamless pop song, dipping into psychedelia, country, and oom-pah.  Hi-Tech Lowlife emerges as a musical scrapbook to the traumas of sexual adolescence and heartbreak in '70s suburbia.  And Klass gets major points for a tribute to near-iconic actress Annette O'Toole.

But while humming along to the 12 catchy, quirky cuts, you might steer clear of the lyric sheet.  Yeah, the graphics by LD Beghtol (Magnetic Fields singer) are more than fab, but Klass's lyrics seem to fall short.  Lines like "She's not the snotty-nose in camper clothes you used to know" from "Melissa Now" reflect a lot of ambition but not much else.  Next time, Klass might consider swapping snarky poetry for genuine vulnerability in his love songs.
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- Jay Blotcher