I’ve always loved listening to an album and thinking about what it must have been like to be in the studio with the band. I like the mystery of how the songs came together, how they were recorded, and what it felt like to be there in the moment. This is especially fun when an album is the result of an unusual collaboration, as is the case on the new Dr. John album “Locked Down”.

The new record by the blues/funk icon pairs the classic Dr. John sound with the blues/rock revival sound of a musical hero of mine: Dan Aurbach. Dan apparently produced the album, and while his influence isn’t overbearing, his voice is there on every song. All of the songs are wonderful, but my favorite is Ice Age. Here’s a cool teaser video that they posted. Must have been really fun to be in this studio with such inspiring musicians:

Deep Dark Robot, self-described as a “dirty French garage pop” band makes a very strong showing with their debut album “8 Songs About A Girl.” Deep Dark Robot is a duo consisting of Linda Perry, from 4 Non Blondes, and Tony Tornay, from Fatso Jefferson. The experience these two artists bring to the album is immediately evident on each and every track. There is a reason so many artists hire Linda Perry to produce their albums and it shows.

“8 Songs About A Girl” is a concept album about a troubled relationship and heartbreak. However, don’t go breaking out the tissues too soon. There are only two songs with the slow, melancholy feel that you normally would associate with those two topics. Most of the album shows a fairly high amount of energy. In fact, the diversity of the album is one of the strongest points about it.

It is hard to really peg down any of the songs really standing out due to the diversity of the album. All of the songs are excellent, but people are most likely going to gravitate towards whichever song fits their tastes the best. “I’m Coming For You” starts the album with a psychedelic rock groove that is reminiscent of Janis Joplin. “Speck” with Linda accompanied by a slow, somber pianist marks a much more introspective part of the album. Even then, “Speck” leads into a more Prince like finale that closes out the album and gives a surprising amount of closure to the whole experience.

In and of itself, “8 Songs About A Girl” is just as much a work of art as any of the songs on it. Normally, when artists do about songs about heartbreak, it is the soft, introspective, melancholy aspect of it. “8 Songs About A Girl” takes you through the whole twisted ride of a bad breakup. At times the album is sad, but it is also angry and optimistic and frustrated and nostalgic and ultimately accepting, albeit with a hint of contempt. It paints a vivid picture of all the highs and lows someone goes through in a doomed relationship.

Deep Dark Robot isn’t a band you want to listen to psych yourself up. “8 Songs About A Girl” is a dark album that deals with one of the most emotionally straining aspects of relationships. However, it is an album that is well worth listening to because it presents it so well. The album doesn’t hold anything back. If you have the time, it definitely is worth listening to from start to finish just to get the full impact of the album and the wave of emotions it carries.

REVIEW BY MATTHEW A.

“Light” from singer/guitarist Pat Hull is one of the most beautiful records I’ve ever listened to. It’s the kind of album that you can’t just put on in the background, whilst focusing on a distraction. This album draws your attention in, with it’s unpredictable hooks and interesting turns. The 10 songs seem to connect as one, as Pat’s alto vocals intertwine with a fingerpicked guitar and friend’s vocals in amazing harmony. Listening to this album is an experience everyone should really have.

Last year when I discovered Pat Hull, it was when I was opening a show that he was headlining in San Francisco. It was my first solo-gig, and Pat totally blew me away. He’s true. When you hear him play you realize that he just has something. Not something that he practiced and figured out, but something that’s just in him.

This record popped up somewhere and I decided to check it out, simply based on the cover art. They are an awesome indie rock band. On earlier songs they had more of that lo-fi dreamy washed out sound, and I guess now they are more rock.

I think their song below is absolutely amazing. The vocals are nice and powerful, in a “im yelling in my garage” type of way. The guitars sounds are simple. The drums are just right. Check them out:

Shara Warden, who goes by My Brightest Diamond, is incredible. I first saw her when she was singing with the Decemberists, and even though her part in the band was small, she was very memorable.

All Things Unwind goes all over the place. The sweeping arrangements move in ways you don’t expect, and Shara’s voice goes from a soft whisper at times to a belting yell. This is one of my favorite songs:

This band is a new discovery for me. It took me a little while to really appreciate how awesome they are, but I now feel it. With The Devil Whale you get a nice mix of catchy chorus melodies and neat riffs, backed up by lyrics that are fun to discover. They are definitely poppy, but it a way that I enjoy. They do a good job mixing the sounds of two guitars and a keyboard too. You will also hear tons of those powerful chorus moments because everything is so nicely in sync. Check out some songs:

For about a year now Inter Arbiter by Inlets has been a regular sound in my headphones. I simply can’t get enough of it.

Sebastian Krueger (who is Inlets) takes guitars, banjo, clarinet, and a bunch of other fun toys, and creates absolutely beautiful arrangements that sound like nothing you’ve ever heard. There are so many tiny details to discover, and atmospheres to exist in. The defining feature of Inlets though is his hauntingly beautiful vocal abilities. One of my favorite songs is called “Canteen,” and there’s a great video of him playing that below. Definitely headphone music, in my opinion.