The Only Sons "Steel Hearts" Review

**EDIT: The band has changed their name to The Only Sons (from Ribbonpigeon), in concurrence with a physical release of this record. Hopefully that clears up any possible confusion.**

It's the way bands should always make albums: record one sounds similar to record two, yet record two isn't quite the same as the first, growth is visible but the band still sounds the same. "Steel Hearts" achieves this with ease.

Genre-wise, it's still safe to call the band an Alt-country act but there's more obvious rock influences, from the guitar on some of the songs and a Springsteen-esqe quality more recognizable in singer Kent Goolsby's vocals. The 12 tracks flow well through the entire record, with even catchier lyrics this time around and an overall more upbeat tone. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Goolsby still gets his harmonica and slower song in on the record, songs like "Stranger Here Myself" & "Taking Your Time with My Love", but overall the release is one for rocking out by yourself or friends...it could very easily be my personal "hanging out on porches" soundtrack for the upcoming spring and summer nites here in Murfreesboro.

The band's touring all over [including a ton of shows locally], with a lot more road to be covered this summer, I'm sure. You can check out their myspace or go straight to the source to get download your copy and then pass it around to your friends. Try listening to the closing track, "We Will Get By", and not have to take another listen...

Songs of Spring

Thanks to global warming & some not so usual weather effects, middle TN is experiencing a gorgeous stint of weather (case in point: today's high is 70!). I hear it's supposed to rain some tomorrow, but after riding around, windows down, tunes turned up yesterday, I got to thinking of spring/summer songs.

We only rode out to the Cracker Barrel across town, but the trip rocking out to the Protomen and all their epicness made me want to really hit the road and enjoy all that nature & the pavement have to offer together. Alas, here's some of the folks I have a feeling will be dominating the stereo & ipod during the warmer months:


1) Vampire Weekend: They just make me think of beach, happiness, sun and fun.


2) Matt & Kim: They exude happiness, sunshine & make me dance. I mean, the single off the latest record is called "Daylight" and opens with the words:

"We cut the legs off of our pants

Threw our shoes into the ocean

Sit back and wave through the daylight"

3) Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele: Light, airy, springy & includes a song titled"Meet me in the Garden". Plus he's just adorable and the album art whips me into a vintage spring afternoon mood...

4)MGMT- I might be late to jumping on this train, but I'm alright with that. Mainly the possibility of seeing them at Bonnaroo & the fact I came into the song "Kids" after the rest of the world played it out, I like what they're going for (minus the totally shtick of the tribal paint deal).

5)Ribbonpigeon- The boys have a new record coming out via the interwebs, for free, fairly soon. They recorded it up at Grand Palace here in Murfreesboro & I have a feeling it's going to be another really good release for windows down, driving around. More info when it is posted...

What are your summer artists/songs? Hope the sun comes out & warms you wherever you are!