Over the past few days I delightfully got two packages in the mail, both from Nashville. The first one came about three days ago holding the newest from Popular Genius called “How to be Popular”. This album came out July 31st but I just got around to ordering it, along with a maroon colored shirt. I had their sophomore project “For Lack of a Better Word” before I had their first, self-titled. I have always loved the pop catchy tunes of “Consulation Prize” or Girl in the Crowd” over anything that I sing along to on their self titled. If had listened to them during their self-titled days I would love the album, then traded that love for “For Lack of a Better Word” when it came out. But that was not the case with me. It was from the first notes I heard through my bedroom while on the phone I heard a great band Trey had put on and I was sold. Now, that’s not to say that their self-titled isn’t good. It is, there on songs on there I love a lot, like “September’s Song” and “Marla” . The time has come again for me to switch my love of a Popular Genius album to “How to Be Popular”. I’m not too wild about the title, but hey, what can one do? The album cover and cd is all in black and white, complete by a friend of theirs. I’m still not sure why Snoop Dog made it into the drawing of the band on the back of the case. Despite that disturbing feature, its a fun case that kinda of prepares you for “Fun is Fun” or “Surprised”. As most of the writing is done by the lead singer, Andrew Bissell there is a track on the newest album written by his bandmates, Scott and I believe Luke . I wonder where this material is coming from though because most of the songs are about Andrew’s heartaches in relationships that he owns to being horrible at (due to over thinking them). Mind you, I’m no personal friend, but I don’t know what relationship(s) Andrew would have to write about for this record. It would have to be crushes of some sort, or past loves, or almost relationships in my mind. Just the same, I am loving and loving the more rock sound of this album, making it my favorite Popular Genius album to date. I have a feeling my love with move with the release of each new album by this band. Now if they’d only have tour dates out west!

Over across the sea in the UK is a record label called Shell. They released the first signed album of the lovely Sandra McCrakcen . I first feel in love with this gal’s lyrics and music when she opened for Caedmon’s Call not long after she married one of the lead singers. Ever since she has become my favorite singer/song writer to date. She just knows how to take a simple struggle or love and turn it into a poetic musical experience that no one should be without. He first independent album, “The Crucible” is the more piano (her first instrument she grew up playing) driven album compared to “Gypsy Flat Road”. The albums, both independent are very different from one each other when it comes to sound, but lyrically, she just got stronger. Now that her third album, “Best Laid Plans” sounds different from ether of the first two, but Id have to say its the best yet. I don’t always do this with bands, I’ll stick true with an old love of an early project, if that’s what I feel is the best to me. But I couldn’t get the package opened quick enough to stick this long awaited album into my cd player, it hasn’t left since (mind you, I just got it yesterday, but I don’t have plans on moving it for a while). Between “Gypsy Flat Road” and “Best Laid Plans” Sandra has been touring a lot, usually with her husband, Derek Webb. I always was sad when she left the stage, nothing against Derek, I appreciate him as well as an artist a lot, but even he will say Sandra is more to listen to him. She shared with us fours songs that now appear on “Best Laid Plans” so its nice to be already familiar with acoustic version of some of these songs. I don’t regret any of them being with a full band behind her, it will only make her, hopefully, tour with one. One song that has been revamped and appears on this album, but originally from “The Crucible” is “Plenty”. I thought it was the oddest song to start the new album with because is a very eerie song that has to be about a past relationship. Its neat to have it laid down right next to her new writing to see that she was good back then, her first independent day, but just a different good now. Its very hard for me to pick ones I like most of this album, which is always the case for me for her songs. “Took You for Granted” feels somewhat to me a follow up to “New Shiny Shoes” in my life. I associate an old friend to “New Shiny Shoes” and now what I pray for our relationship (which is still non-existent) is what Sandra sings about in “Took You for Granted”. My suspicions is that “Letters” is about Derek, but Ive been wrong before the original meaning behind one of her songs. That’s what I love about her writing, is that I cant listen to it straight up and know what she’s talking about. It allows me, the listener, take what I see from it and apply it to my own life. “Best Laid Plans” has just put even more a foundations on why I love Sandra’s music. If you have yet to listen to her, I highly recommend “Best Laid Plans”. No music collection should be without it.