Hitting the pavement to see what the kids are jamming too!

Louis/20/mechanic: “Hip-Hop is my favorite type of music, you know like Nelly, Outkast, and Chingy”

Molly/25/graduate student: “ I just brought the Incubus CD, which I think is great. I really enjoyed their earlier stuff as well.”

Anne/15/student: “ Britney Spears is coming to Orlando, and I get to go - so I am listening to Britney a lot. I like her older songs like ‘Stronger’ and ‘Lucky’ but her new song ‘Toxic’ is cool too!”

Not only is Virginia the home to our Nations’ coal, its also the birthplace of Jason Mraz. Jason Mraz is the latest answer to coffeehouse music epidemic. In spite his poultry-friendly CD cover, he is by no means a chicken. Often mentioned in the same breath as John Mayer and Jack Johnson, it’s easy to categorize his flavor of music as ‘acoustic pop’ or ‘The WB music’. Sure, I’ll admit he does sound similar, but the comparison stops there. Mraz’s tracks are laced with witty lyrics, upbeat tempos, and of course catchy sing-a-along choruses. He’s bluesy on a few tracks, than sentimental and classy on others. This is different brand of pop music; its smarter, more personal, and honestly more of artist than record label, or at least I hope so.

Grade: B- for not chickening out.
Sounds like: Howie Day, John Mayer, or Jack Johnson
Key tracks: You and I Both, Remedy, or Curbside Prophet

Right when we have declared boy bands to be dead, they get reincarnated and try to sing us to death. Maroon 5 is the new fresh faces of the next boy band, um, the super boy band that is. Super boy bands embody boys that all have distinct ‘rock, punk, modern, underground New York and clean grunge’ look. They are slightly grittier and sharper than your typical N’syncer or Backstreet Boy. Since they are the improved version, their sound and quality are also improved. First and foremost, their songs are a fusion of rock and rhythm and blues; think funky dance tracks with a twist of genuine Motown. Definitely danceable- not to mention insane hooks running through all the tracks. It wouldn’t be a true boy band record without the cheesy power ballads, so yes they have some too.

Grade: Evolution not revolution C.
Sounds like: Switchfoot
Key tracks: She Will Be Loved, This Love, or Sunday Morning

We are the children of the eighties, like it or not. I was born in 1982, exactly 22 years ago, so it’s no surprise that I like to listen to 80’s music. Stellastarr, a five- piece band, is the perfect 80’s band living in the new millennium. Each and every track is littered with charming and introspective lyrics that beg to be sung aloud. Sure, reference to The Cure and The Pixies are apparent, but they are not bad bands to be in the company with. Originality is not Stellastarr strongest forte; if this record came out before Hot Hot Heat record, then it would have been fresh and edgy, but they didn’t - so they don’t. So they get zero points for creativity, but they pass in terms of 80’s revival attempt.

Grade: B- for not chickening out.
Sounds like: 20 years in the making
Key tracks: In the Walls, Somewhere Across Forever, or Pulp Song

by NT Nguyen

comments, questions, please email service@enliv.com.

XTRAS - Concerts and more
04/07: Everytime I Die @ The Social/Downtown Orlando
04/09: Pinback @ The Social/Downtown Orlando
04/10: Jewel @ Hard Rock Live/Universal Studio City Walk
04/11: Yellowcard @ House of Blues/Downtown Disney
04/15: Less than Jake @ The Social/Downtown Orlando
04/22: Sugarcult @ The Social/Downtown Orlando
04/29: Fountain of Wayne @ House of Blues/ Downtown Disney

Tickets may be obtained via ticketmaster.com or Park Avenue CD. All dates are subject to change; that is the music industry for you. Park Ave CD has two locations in the Central Florida area, one located in downtown Winter Park and the other location can be found on the first floor in the student union at the University of Central Florida. Happy Hunting!