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Thanks to all the fans that helped put their band in the running for best studio album. HGMN staff will pick the best album from the 10 nominees and the winner will announced shortly after the New Year. In the order with the most fan votes, the nominees for HGMN 2010 studio album of the year -

1. Sol Driven Train - Believe

Believe is a snapshot of the ever changing life and sound of Sol Driven Train. The album spans the gap from comedy to tragedy with a track sure to capture the imagination of any listener. 

2. Big Something - Stories From the Middle of Nowhere

The sound is BIG and clearly the work of some talented musicians, but its hard to describe exactly what they're doing as a whole, hence the name: BIG Something. Between the shredding guitars, mesmerizing saxophones, tasteful keys, vocals and synthesizers, there's an infectious groove and energy that holds it all together over a journey through several different genres and influences. But what really makes this album special is the songs themselves. They are catchy and charming, layered and soulful, with colorful characters that embody the best and worst in us all. One listen will lead to many and you'll realize you've discovered that BIG Something. 

3. Option 22 - Choose the Music

Option 22 is a progressive Americana/Worldbeat ensemble with a revolutionary vibe. Fierce and passionate female vocals dance atop a healing groove of instruments from around the world including banjo, guitars, didgeridoo, shamisen, djembes and other hand drums. Positive lyrics convey a message of unity and understanding and soulful melodies elevate listeners' consciousness. Dubbed by one listener a "new age jam band," their flavorful style is flexible, ranging from funky and rhythmic sounds to mellow and melodic, with each member bringing into the equation affinities for worldbeat, funk, folk, jamband music, newgrass, trance, reggae and rock. The music has no boundries, and one must listen to the full scope of it to understand, as each song is different. Their full-out drum jams send energy bouncing off the walls of any venue. Another listener dubbed the sound "hippie hop." The only category that truly seems fitting is "Other." 

4. Moksha - Mammal or Machine

Explosive shows, filled with an arsenal of well-crafted material, have earned Moksha their reputation as Las Vegas' secret weapon. They are emerging from the glitz and glamour of Sin City and garnering a following of loyal fans on the West Coast. Swirling in subtlety, their music paints a sonic landscape that unfolds in the moment and feeds on the dynamic ebb and flow of audience and band interconnection.

5. Ifdakar - On the Edge

Ifdakar's pursuit of musical growth and experimental improvisation create an experience not to be forgotten. Hailing from Appleton, Wisconsin, this six-piece band has garnered recognition from their live performances where the band channels elements of psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, and electronica.

From songs that are tragic, to songs that transcend, Ifdakar showcases an array of improvisational jamming and elaborately structured pieces that are steeped in influences such as Phish, Lotus, Pink Floyd, STS9, and others. This spectrum allows for dense musical freedom, to tension-and-release madness.

6. Big Daddy Love - To the Mountain

To The Mountain is an album in the truest sense--a carefully crafted journey of songs--that has received emphatic and heartfelt reviews from reviewers throughout the region and far beyond. "...The thing is, this all works together well, and it flows as album -- remember those, where all the songs work together to the betterment of the total experience -- not just some isolated downloaded track on your playlist. This is a great disc...Give Big Daddy Love the chance and I'll bet they'll win you over." (Gary Hill, Music Street Journal). From across the pond, a reviewer in Belgium wrote "...[if you are] a fan of The Allman Brothers Band or Drive-By Truckers, but you are open to bluegrass elements, then this CD really is a must." Back home in the mountains, another writer said "From start to finish, To The Mountain is a captivating album that alludes to a dynamic live show. If the musicians dabble in a variety of styles it's only because, well, they can. And certain elements -- a tightly-coiled energy always threatening to explode within each song, a choice group of collaborators, flawless musicianship and Smith's compelling vocals -- provide a palpable thread throughout." (Alli Marshall, Mountain Xpress). Picked up as a favorite spin by Americana and AAA radio stations throughout the region, including taste-maker WNCW in Spindale, NC, To The Mountain is a snapshot of a young band realizing the power of their vision, stretching the boundaries of their influences while celebrating their Appalachian roots. 

7. Superfrog - Call From the Moon

Superfrog is the fiery 6 piece you must see to believe. Their groovetastic, jammy soundscapes are twisted into a rock and roll reggae sandwich sporting an original, rhythmic and bouncy sound. The delightfully soundgasmic music flows through them like some sort of intangible astral conduit. Certainly a band that is this fun, diverse, adventurous and fresh should be heard as often as possible.

On "Call From the Moon" Superfrog continues to reveal the essence of jam within a framework of ROCK. This feat has been causing people all over the Northeast to jump out of their seats and into the air many times over. Their high powered live show is always an intense experience where the only thing shaking harder than the stage is the floor under the fans.

8. SKYS - Small Dreams in an Elevator

Former Green Lemon guitarist, Wayne Allen will finally unveil his new musical project with the debut full length album release from his new band, the SKYS, entitled "Small Dreams in an Elevator". Some of the stand-out tracks on the album include the jungle indie-garage concoction, "Turtles," and the hard house dance infused "Nice Place," which is a complete re-working of a Green Lemon favorite. In addition, the truly unforgettable "Heavy Eyes," is also the first single from the album and sure to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Allen's collaboration with Holland, Bradford, and with Freepeoples Frequency's beat creator, Brooke Binion is highly evident throughout the album. Each song is a true hybrid of heavy synthesizer laden layers, glitch driven beats, electronic pads and guitar rock and pop, much in the spirit of acts like Radiohead, the Flaming Lips, and Bright Eyes. What distinguishes "the SKYS" from its sonic-pop predecessors is Allen's distinct vocal delivery and his knack for anchoring melodies throughout the album, even as the sonic settings change from song to song. It is more than refreshing to hear an album that is meant to be listened to from beginning to end, especially in the modern single-track-iTunes world." 

9. Lizzy Ross - Traces

Lizzy Ross spins tales into tunes, delivering clever lyrics with a silver tongue. She tops it off with an irresistible voice that's earned her comparisons to legends like Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Janis Joplin, and Grace Potter. Sometimes joyful, sometimes ragged, Ross's style is a curious mix of soul, roots, rock, and blues. Throughout, her passion and sincerity shine through - this is real, honest music. In Traces, love and life are wonderful, cruel, steadfast, and elusive, and Ross wants all of those pieces. 

10. Dangermuffin - Moonscapes

Sit a moment with Dangermuffin's latest album, Moonscapes, and you'll hear tales of rogue lawmen, forlorn lovers, and rolling waves. Based in Folly Beach, SC, the eclectic trio casts a fresh perspective on American roots music.
Setting Dangermuffin ahead of the pack are the refreshingly magnetic lyrics of Dan Lotti, winner of the Songwriters Hall of Fame's 2005 "New Writers Showcase." Lotti's strong, articulate vocals perfectly frame each song, creating a stout foundation for the tasteful poly-groove jams and improvisational passages. "The concepts of Moonscapes comes from when the tide goes out on the beach, leaving tidal pools that look like craters," says Lotti. "To me, that seemed like the notion of the sea of tranquility."

Dangermuffin's rhythmic anchor lies in the creative beats of Steven Sandifer (Drew Emmitt Band, Adrienne Young), embellished by the thrilling, twangy guitar stylings of Mike Sivilli. The result of their pooled talents is an inventive, fresh sound that retains an organic Americana truthfulness. 

Their fans put on a good rally at the last minute and they managed the break in to the top 10 just short after the deadline.  

iLa Mawana - Soldiers of Sound

Boston-based iLa Mawana presents their first studio album Soldiers of Sound and kicks off their 6-week national CD Release Tour in May 2010.

Mastered at Lion Fox Studios in DC, the 12-track album is a big statement that follows their 4 track self-titled EP released in 2009.  Developing a strong reputation among fans for their tight pocket reggae grooves, iLa Mawana has put together a cohesive group of songs that capture their energy with captivating new melodies.

ABOUT THE BIG UP:

PRESS QUOTES:

Durham, NC, December, 9th 2010 - 2010 has been a very successful year for the NC based band Big Daddy Love.    BDL released their second album To the Mountain (Little King Records) in April, won Floyd Fest's Under the Radar Series competition in July (for being the best new up-and-coming band) and has toured relentlessly in five southeastern states. 

 
Big Daddy Love will be bringing its original repertoire of bluegrass-influenced, "Appalachian Rock" to the stage of the Broad Street Cafe in Durham for a one of a kind New Years Eve extravaganza. The band and venue are anticipating an extremely energetic show and a packed house. Winston-Salem's Foothills Brewing, great friends and supporters of Big Daddy Love, will be present to provide three Foothills brews on tap with special pricing. A Foothills beer tasting will be held at 8:45 PM, which is also when the doors will be opened. The Broad Street Cafe will keep the kitchen open with a limited menu. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 (no advance ticket sales) and the music will begin with The Lizzy Ross band starting at 9:45 PM and Big Daddy Love taking the stage at 11:00PM.
 

The quintet consists of primary songwriter Daniel Justin Smith who plays acoustic guitar and provides fiery lead vocals; Joey Recchio offers a heavy dose of electric, blues-influenced guitar as well as sugary-sweet harmonies behind Smith's vocals; contributing fantastic picking on the 5-string acoustic and electric banjos is Brian Swenk; Ashley Sutton provides a concrete low-end on electric bass; and the newly acquired, gospel and funk inspired, John Wayne Harris Jr. supports the talented ensemble on drum set.
 

2011 is looking like it will be another exciting year for Big Daddy Love. As a reward for winning Floyd Fest's Under the Radar Series, BDL received 25 hours of recording time at Blackwater Studios on the shores of Smith Mountain Lake, VA where they will be recording an album to release in 2011. In addition to recording time, BDL will be returning to the stage at Floyd Fest for multiple performances with a lineup that includes Taj Mahal. the Del McCoury Band, the David Grisman Quintet, and Donna the Buffalo, among many others. Looking deeper into next year, they are already on the roster for other summer festivals such as the Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival in Tryon, NC and Camp Barefoot in Bartow, WV; the band will also possess a residency at the Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh, NC where they will perform every Thursday in January.

Bringing a fresh, new attitude with original tunes that hearken back to the era of rock and roll, the Lizzy Ross Band fuses jazz and folk music with dirty blues and rock.  Ross' commanding, versatile, and expressive voice has been compared to Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, and Grace Potter.  The band's tight arrangements are tasteful and unique, ranging from subtly complimentary to virtuosically explosive.

The Lizzy Ross Band includes Lizzy Ross on vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar, Dylan Shrader on lead guitar, Casey Toll on upright bass, and Drew Daniel on percussion. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Ross writes original soul-folk music inspired by artists from Sam Cooke to Patty Griffin.  Shrader's training in bluegrass, combined with Daniel and Toll's formal jazz education, creates uniquely soulful music with hints of rock, jazz and blues. Layered against Lizzy's powerful voice and the folky textures of the songs themselves, the band's musical style is intelligent, danceable, and unique.


"Only in her early 20's, Lizzy has already begun making quite a name for herself in the area with her stunning soulful voice and beautiful songwriting after setting a precedent with her previous band Lafcadio."
Adam Kincaid - the Local Beat on WKNC 88.1

"A quiet ode to youth and love... emphasizing stories and emotion rather than typical song structures. Ross creates intimacy with details and near-whispers. She can be sultry or innocent, despondent or hopeful. Throughout, though, her voice jumps octaves and bursts into extended runs, barely containing some hidden joy of youth or the excitement of uncertainty... In Traces, love is wonderful and cruel and steadfast and elusive, and Ross wants all of those pieces."
Andrew Ritchie - The Indy Weekly

"I was utterly blown away... Truly original songwriting, and the heart-bursting siren call of singer Lizzy Ross combined for something that I felt I had been waiting for my entire life. Ross' voice has a soulful, swelling quality reminiscent of Fiona Apple..."
Raleigh Weekend in Review

"Lizzy Ross is as sultry and powerful a singer as you will ever hear and can go from a swinging dance number with playful trills to a mellow southwestern samba without batting an eye."
Adam Sherwood - Vinyl Press

"Standout performance... The band's sultry, twangy and soulful sound was reminiscent of rocking alt-country singer Neko Case, with lead singer Lizzy Ross wooing the tired audience."
Abe Johns - The Daily TarHeel

Those who plan on attending the Umphrey's shows at the Riviera Theatre this New Years Eve are in for a very special treat as far as after party shows go. On December 29 the Metro will host England's The New MasterSounds along with Chicago's Lubriphonic.

photo: Yusuke Kitamura

If you haven't yet seen The New Mastersounds then you're totally missing out on this new level of funk. I mean that they just bring on this crazy energy that you just don't see that often. It's sophisticated funk music at its best! Their grooves are very catchy and I don't mean that in a "pop" sort of way. Their music is serious stuff and it's absolutely something you can get down to, I mean G-E-T Down. They're from the UK and will only be doing a few dates before they hit Jam Cruise and after that it's off to Spain. So catch them now while you can.


WED DEC  29 AT THE METRO

 IN

CHICAGO, IL
As if The New Mastersounds weren't enough also on the bill is Lubriphonic. It's a treat to see this band anywhere but in their hometown in Chicago, it will just be off the hook. If you've heard their music before then the lyrics are already in your head. You're dancing but it's not like you're at a Dave Matthews concert, enjoying the catchy lyrics as you spin around with your little girlfriend, it's nothing like that. You're actually putting some wear and tear on your shoes, enough to burn the tips of your toes. You've got horns, a solid rhythm section and an exceptional  guitar-lead singer and keyboardist. This seven piece packs a punch. Their brand of blues/funk/soul will surely get the crowd warmed up, perhaps slightly overheated.

Those lucky enough to have been at this years Bear Creek Festival, my favorite festival of the year, had a chance to see both bands perform multiple times throughout the weekend. I can only imagine what it would sound like with both bands performing together on a few tunes at the Metro. I bet it would sound pretty epic.