The Grascals & 3 Doors Down Frontman added To Charlie Daniels Christmas 4 Kids Concert

Benevolent Tomorrow Stream Entire New Album Online

PR reports: Benevolent Tomorrow are currently streaming their self-titled new album online. The album, which was produced by Erik Ron (Sparta, Guns N' Roses, Foxy Shazam), was recently released by Long Play Records.

"We're excited to share our new album with everyone. Parts of this album took years to piece together. This project was a labor of love and we're finally ready to share it with the world," says vocalist Benjamin Bensadoun. "We hope that through all the radio friendly, auto-tuned noise out there, people will notice our sounds and discover something different. We don't care if you buy the album, see us live, or stream the music, just hear it any way you can and connect with it."

Benevolent Tomorrow have created a buzz throughout the California scene with their mixture of classic rock, grunge and '90s pop punk. The band's eclectic mixture has earned them comparisons to classic modern rock giants like Foo Fighters and Stone Temple Pilots, as well as current chart topers like Shinedown. Benevolent Tomorrow has grown to be one of Los Angeles' rising stars. - Listen here

Second Lightspeed Champion Release Set

PR reports: Lightspeed Champion, the brain child of former Test Icicles guitarist Dev Hynes, has returned with his second album, Life is Sweet! Nice To Meet You. The follow-up to 2008's Falling Off the Lavender Bridge is an epic collection of twelve pop songs, two instrumental intermissions and one piano étude, set for release on Domino Records on February 16th, 2010.

London's Lightspeed Champion emerged from the ashes of Hynes' first band, acclaimed noise rockers Test Icicles. Under the name Lightspeed Champion – a moniker taken from a comic book character he'd created who lived in a world of mathematics – Hynes released one of 2008's most charming debuts in Falling Off the Lavender Bridge. Recorded in Omaha, NE, the album was an orchestral pop love letter to American country twang and boy/girl harmony sweetness, with Hynes' lyrics referencing everything from broken relationships to teen soap opera The O.C. and more. With rave reviews, a performance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and a full American tour under his belt, Lightspeed Champion picked up from his native England, seeking new inspiration, and relocated to New York City. To say the city has never been the same since would be an understatement, and on his newest record, Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, Dev Hynes showcases not only his incredible ability to write a catchy-as-hell tune, but also his fine ear for brilliant arrangements, once again creating a world all of his own. - more on this story

We All Have Hooks For Hands Hitting The Road

PR reports: We All Have Hooks For Hands are packing the van and getting ready for a November/December cross-country tour in support of the November 17th release of their sophomore album The Shape Of Energy (Afternoon Records).

The band is very excited about the forthcoming release, which is already getting play on LA's KCRW and Seattle based KEXP, where they will perform in studio on December 8th. RCRD.LBL muses that "joyful noise gets thrown a fair bit, and far be it for us to discontinue that apt phrase. We All Have Hooks for Hands maintains an authenticity that can only come from an unjaded South Dakota nine-piece playing simply because they love to."

If you're unfamiliar with We All Have Hooks For Hands off-kilter and melodic sing along folk-pop, take a moment to watch this great video of them performing their single "Made Up Of Tiny Lights" recorded live in a friend's practice space earlier this year. It's a good example of the collaborative energy that goes into their songs. - watch it here

The Mercury Program Returns

PR reports: After a lengthy hiatus, Florida's The Mercury Program return to the musical forefront with Chez Viking, a seven-song CD/LP released by the band's new label, Lovitt Records, on Winter 2009.

Undoubtedly, The Mercury Program have established themselves as one of the most exciting bands who place a premium on intricate song craft and mesmerizing live performance. Formed in the summer of 1997, they have re-emerged with a bracing mix of angular guitars, rhythmic bass lines, jazz-influenced drumming, and ethereal vibraphones.

The Mercury Program first started as a three-piece outfit. Their first show was on New Year's Eve in 1998 at a friend's party in Chapel Hill. The Mercury Program soon recorded two 7"s with Boxcar Records including a split 7" with Versailles; soon afterwards, the band recorded their debut full-length, also on Boxcar. Critically acclaimed by the likes of print and web media alike, they supported the record with a brief East Coast tour, as well as several regional shows in the Florida area. In late 1999, The Mercury Program agreed to release their next two albums through Tiger Style Records. During this time, the band added an additional member, Whitney Travisano, and turned the trio into a more dynamic quartet. The sound of the band changed dramatically with the addition of a fourth member as keyed instruments such as vibraphones and electric pianos became much more prominent. - more on this story

Seth Glier Debuts

PR reports: Multi-instrumentalist/pianist Seth Glier, discovered at 19 and signed to MPress Records makes his label debut with "The Trouble With People", available in stores November 3, 2009.

"The Trouble With People" is both timeless and modern and has drawn comparisons to Billy Joel, Marc Cohn, Gavin DeGraw, Elton John and Paul McCartney. A sophisticated collection that shows surprising maturity and self-reflection, the album weaves understated tales of real people in quiet pain. Produced by Seth Glier & Ryan Hommel; mixed by Kevin Killen, John Shyloski & Alan Evans.

Described as having "the vocal prowess of a performer with a lifetime of singing experience" and as a "huge musical talent" in early reviews, Glier is gaining awareness amid U.S. press for his soaring falsetto, surprising showmanship and insightful songwriting, recently praised as "direct and full of clarity." - more on this story

Road Fink

PR reports: Ninja Tune Records is excited to announce that acclaimed UK artist Fink will be performing dates in the US this coming December. In support of his latest album, Sort Of Revolution, the tour begins on Friday, December 4 at Spaceland in Los Angeles, CA, and will culminate with an intimate performance at New York City's famed Joe's Pub on Thursday, December 10. The upcoming US stint is destined to be a display of the singer-songwriter's stunning live repertoire and will feature new songs as well as favorites from his previous efforts.

Certainly one of the more understated of the world's singer-songwriters, the Bristol, UK-born Fink, aka Fin Greenall, is an uncompromising artist with an astounding stage presence. With live accompaniment by Guy Whittaker on bass and Tim Thornton on drums, Greenall has played over 300 shows in the last three years (supporting the likes of Zero 7 and Massive Attack). In addition to his performance history, Fink has written with such artists as John Legend and Amy Winehouse, while lending his remixing skills to the works of Elbow, Nina Simone, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Robert Belfour.

Now with Sort Of Revolution, an album that Q calls "captivating" and BBC Music declares as being "an idea-laden, sublime study in the art of pleasing yourself without drowning in indulgence," Fink is sure to expand beyond simply being a music fan's best kept secret and will have another opportunity to showcase his latest material in the most appropriate of settings. - more on this story

Kenny Gamble Releasing I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem

PR reports: In honor and loving support of our nation's veterans, legendary music pioneer and co-creator of "The Philadelphia Sound" Kenny Gamble is releasing a new DVD/CD commemorative package of his acclaimed new symphonic ode to patriotism, "I Am An American," on November 10, 2009 surrounding Veterans Day to help raise funds and awareness for battling homelessness among veterans.

I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, a documentary revealing the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's decades-long mission and behind-the-scenes work to ultimately bring modern relevance to this traditional song through his lifelong friend Patti LaBelle and the Temple University Symphony & Choir, includes a CD featuring new edits of the extraordinary recording project that has been a deeply personal labor of love and relentless commitment from Mr. Gamble. His brother, Carl also served the country as a Vietnam War veteran.

A portion of proceeds from sales of I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem are being donated to the Veterans Administration, to help raise money for homeless veterans and awareness for this vital issue. - more on this story

. Creedence Clearwater Revival - The Singles Collection

Its tough to say anything about CCR that hasnt already been said before. But these 30 tracks, all in one set, reveal what an amazingly creative and productive outfit this band truly was at their apex. (4 stars) - Read the full Creedence Clearwater Revival - The Singles Collection review

. Kelly Clarkson Live October 2009

Flexing a range of musical styles and perfect pacing, Kelly Clarkson did everything right. She is someone who through her enthusiasm and fortitude has become more than a television star, but someone who is without question, a truly significant artist. (5 stars) - Read the full Kelly Clarkson Live October 2009 review

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