Watch the Time

Artist: The Follow Through

Album: It's About Time!

Release: 2008

Tracks: 7

The Follow Through, side project of Joe Kirkland from the band Artist vs Poet, features guitar and vocal skills that create a distinguished sound. Kirkland's voice is unique among other singers in his genre, with a voice that sounds both raw and full of depth and tone that can fluctuate according to each song. With his guitar to back him up, he releases both softer and louder tracks on It's About Time!, his first EP under The Follow Through.

It's About Time! eases you into the EP with "Don't Go", a quiet track that heavily features finger-picking on the guitar. The vocals of the song are soft and blend very well with the sound of the guitar, becoming almost indistinguishable at some points, though not in a bad way. "Alive" jumps right in with explosive guitar and drums, providing a contrast with the quiet opening track. The vocals of the chorus and bridge are the most attention-grabbing parts of this song, setting it apart from the rest of the EP. A quiet intro that steadily builds up in volume sets the stage for "So High", where Kirkland's vocals take center stage and keep listeners hooked on his music. Here he displays his ability to sing in a manner that allows you to feel the full emotion of the song, backed by his guitar. "One Night Only" jumps right into a new sound, with splashes of auto-tune used to create a different sound for his vocals. The drum beat falls into place with the guitar, shining through and falling back in just the right places, and balancing well with the vocals. A unique mixture of guitar rhythms and small riffs define "Figured Out", along with Kirkland's individual tone when singing. This song doesn't hold back in terms of lyrics, expressing an opinion that people can connect with easily. "And Suddenly..." turns the volume down a bit with a softer tone for most of the song. The bridge introduces a new tone of vocals that brings to mind a chorus-style sound. It's About Time! comes to a close with "Memories", a song that provides a sort of closure for the feelings expressed in the rest of the EP. The tone of the song is soft, suggesting a somber mood completed by the piano that ends the song.

It's About Time! showcases Joe Kirkland's guitar skills in a way that allows him to progress in his own direction as an individual instead of following the idea of a band, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The Follow Through makes the most of this opportunity and shines through in this EP, where everything is put together in his spare time. Although some of his vocals tend to be a bit softer than necessary among all of the instruments, his music has a feel to it that keeps you listening. Whether or not you like the style of music that The Follow Through puts out depends on the you. So be warned - make sure you watch the time while listening to this EP. You may just get hooked!

Would You Hold It Against Me If I Liked Britney Spears?

iTunes Top Song

Song: Hold It Against Me
Album: Hold It Against Me--Single
Released: 2011

Basically, Britney has had top selling tracks in the last three decades, this new single solidifying her record. This teaser track (for her new album, to be released) launches you into a classic pop setup, which hits the mark dead on. The theme's not truly original, but it's a perfect club beat that keeps you dancing throughought the whole track, complimented nicely by Spear's unique vocals. However, the bridge lacks vocals and carries sort of an empty feeling in comparison to the rest of the song. That's not really going to hurt the track overall, though, as this preview of Spear's new album has me excited to see what comes next.

Learning the Farewell Fighter Way

Artist: Farewell Fighter

Album: The Way We Learn

Release: 2011

Tracks: 7

Finding their roots in Nashville, TN, Farewell Fighter is a four-piece pop-punk band that immediately catches your attention. It's almost impossible to not take a liking to at least one of their songs upon hearing them, with their clear-cut lyrics and catchy instrumental parts. After a few plays of each of their songs, the melody will most likely stick in your head for a while, keeping you hooked. Kenny Fleetwood, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, has a voice with a unique sound that is hard to find, being both quiet and strong at the same time, putting meaning behind every word. Lee Morton and David Jahns back up Fleetwood's voice, blending nicely together with a similar vocal style, while playing lead guitar and bass, respectively. Matthew Hooper pounds out drum beats that are different in each song, but at the same time display a singular style that identifies the person behind the drum set. Together, these four Nashville boys turned out their newest album, The Way We Learn, with enthusiasm and style that can be hard to match.

The Way We Learn begins with "Well Wishing", a song that sets the lyrical mood for the rest of the album. The rhythm guitar takes a major part in this short track, keeping time until the lead guitar takes over near the end of the song. "Growing Pains" opens with a powerful rhythm guitar part, which fades for a moment as the vocals and drums take over, only to make a comeback in the later verse and chorus. A small guitar riff fills up the post-chorus instrumental part. During the bridge instrumental, another guitar riff plays over a strong drumming part. A distorted chord progression kicks off "Never Have I Ever", shortly joined by drums and a guitar riff before the vocals start. This track is a perfect example of harmonizing vocals that deliver the impact of the lyrics in a memorable way. "Love, Lust, Or Losing It?" has a slightly softer sound than most of the other tracks on The Way We Learn, but leaves its own lasting impression with catchy lyrics and a unique beat. The rhythm guitar in this song creates an interesting beat that holds the song together while the drums and vocals hold their own. The bass takes the main stage in "Terminal", setting the pace for the song and giving it an unusual sound that grabs your attention. The vocals have a lighter sound to them with a sound that blends nicely with the instruments. The Way We Learn wraps up with "Where I Belong", an explosive song that stays strong from start to finish. The album's memorable group vocals kick in during the bridge, with the bass providing a solid backbone, returning to the drums and guitar during the last portion of the song.

The Way We Learn definitely has a unique style in terms of how it sounds and the impact that it makes on you. Most of the songs may take a few listens to grow on you, but when they do you won't forget them for some time to come. The second release from Farewell Fighter showcases the potential of this Nashville band in the music industry, especially if they stay true to their album and learn the Farewell Fighter way.