SHREDnews

Jonny Drybanski joined the Shred News staff in September 2009. He’s a Suffolk University Journalism student and met Shred editor Kayley in a Journalism class. Jonny sees one of his biggest accomplishments of being apart of Shred is getting an interview with Will Knox for the first article he ever wrote for Shred.

1.Phish – Joy – The first studio album in 5 years from the American Jam band that Rolling Stone has called one of the most important bands of the 90’s, has been something that I have been waiting for for most of my life. In comparison to their previous work, the production of this album does an excellent job of capturing Phish’s live energy in a studio environment, something they have been striving for their whole careers. This is one of the most solid rock albums of the year.

2. State Radio – Let It Go – Boston Locals State Radio, fronted by former Dispatch member Chad Stokes, have refined their sound and musicianship on their third LP to become an even more cohesive and tight group. With lyrics galvanized by political activism ,vivid story telling, and a unique blend of punk rock reggae and folk music, this is an album worth a listen for fans of any of those genres.

3. Will Knox – The Matador and the Acrobat – British Singer-songwriter Will Knox delivers what I consider to be the most musically coherent and consistent album I’ve heard all year. The entirety of the disc is steeped in unique atmospheric presence that flows together effortlessly bound by an invisible musical thread.

4. Ben Harper and Relentless 7 – White Lies for Dark Times – A great blend of hard rock, blues, and soulful Ben Harper ballads, this was a sleeper hit for me, but has some really impressive moments.

5. John Mayer – Battle Studies - Pop superstar and professional heart-throb John Mayer may seem like an unlikely choice for me based on my other selections. But this is an album that I could tell had been given genuine thought, and is definitely a snapshot of where Mayer stands as a musician right now. The sincerity of this album coupled with my respect for his guitar chops are enough for me to really prize this cd, despite its top 40 success with ordinarily is not my style.

6. Elephants On Acid – From Tusk Til Dawn - In a word, Fearless. Elephants On Acid pound through charts of hard rock, psychedelia and funk, and mix them together in a sometimes peculiar, but always intriguing manner.

7. Gov’t Mule – By A Thread - Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes fronts this hard rock/blues side project that has consistently delivered both solid and catchy classic rock influenced singles and extended improvisational jams in their own style since their formation. This latest release lives up to their reputation.

8. Pearl Jam – Backspacer – Though it is a bit of a departure from the work that made them famous in the 90s, Backspacer is a logical evolutionary step for a band that shows no sign of slowing down, and featuring one of the best rock vocalists of all time.

9. State Radio – Live at the Brattle Theater – A special double disc recording from a two night event at Harvard Square’s Brattle Theater in Cambridge, MA, the concerts were an intimate solo acoustic set with lead singer Chad Stokes. The shows were a celebration of the inception of the bands’ non-proft human rights and charity organization “Calling All Crows”. The shows appropriately took place on the anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted Dec. 10, 1948 by the United Nations. Stokes sings with emotion to match the stature of the occasion, playing songs spanning his whole career from his work with Dispatch and State Radio.

10. Soulive – Up Right – Jazz-Funk trio Soulive; remember this name if any readers are fans of this genre. Soulive is one of the best live shows that you can see for under $30. Featuring Brothers Alan and Neal Evans and guitarist Eric Krasno, Soulive are one of the most accomplished touring jazz/funk groups. In 2000 They were signed to Blue Note Records, once home to jazz titans Miles Davis and John Coltrane .