Escaping the music-row mediocrity

There are two pieces to this post. The first is a fairly harsh criticism of Michelle Branch's current single. However, in an attempt to provide a light at the end of the tunnel, I introduce a new band, South Jordan, rising in stardom and deserving of recognition for the ability to escape the trap "others" find themselves falling into.

In regards to Michelle Branch, we all remember her from the early 2000s, shooting her way to fame with hits such as "Everywhere". More recently, she took a genre leap to country music with the formation of the duo, The Wreckers. As a co-leader of The Wreckers, she certainly achieved critical acclaim with her hit single, "Leave the Pieces". Yet, in 2007, The Wreckers disbanded and she remained below the radar for quite some time.

Here's where I have problems with Michelle Branch and her continued endeavors in country music. Her recent single, "I Want Tears" starts off with that stereotypical pedal-steel guitar that adds absolutely nothing useful to the song. I completely advocate adding any instruments to a track if they provide added depth and quality to it but in this case, it feels like a superfluous addition in an attempt to placate the country music fans. Stupid moves like this strip her of her individuality and throw her into the fiery pits of mediocrity. From a musical standpoint, that introduction would be significantly more powerful played completely acoustic.

I don't want to minimize the pressures from the record labels and the fear of being disowned by country fans by releasing a song that strays too far from the norm. But to me, by doing things like haphazardly chucking pedal-steel guitar parts in for the sake of sounding country, she's simply exhibiting no faith in her fans and their willingness to hear what SHE has to say. Take a chance and do something different Ms. Branch because this pathetically pedestrian release will be the death of your career otherwise.

However, if you're in the mood for some new and exciting music coming from Nashville, you've got to check out Island Def Jam's recent addition South Jordan. These guys are a unique blend of influences like The Fray and The Script, yet they have their own remarkably unique quality difficult to pinpoint. However, their hooky melodies and well-crafted lyrics will certainly have you clamoring for their first album. If these guys continue on the path they're on, they'll certainly escape the mediocre vacuum that other artists unfortunately slip into (*cough* Jessica Simpson *cough).

Check out South Jordan's Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/#!/SouthJordan

Adelle 'Rolling' around in glory

What is it about British artist Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" that keeps it perched on that Billboard throne for weeks on end? First, and arguably most important, she could sing the ingredients on a cereal box and still entrance her listeners. Moreover, her voice has an incredibly distinct quality, one that conjures allusions of Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, yet it still maintains wonderful individuality.

Aside from her voice, in a time where tabloid and reality stars with the musical talent of a drunk karaoke singer utilize auto-tuning and over-production to make "hits" (insert shudder here), Adele could sing that song with one guitar accompanying her and it would be equally great. Adele and co-songwriter Paul Epworth do such a remarkable job of marrying several musical genres in order to create this song that stands alone in its own genre entirely.

The only problem Adele is going to have with this song is where to go after. Way too often, an artist will release a song that is so unique and special that no matter what they do after, it can never live up to its idolized predecessor and the artist falls off the map as quickly as they climbed on. Do you think she can follow "Rolling in the Deep" with something of equal caliber or will she simply live off the proceeds of this mega-hit and reminisce about her hours of fame to her grandchildren by the fireplace in jolly old England?

Personally, to preserve the sanctity of music, I sincerely hope Adele and more artists like her can continue to provide the world with well-crafted songs rather than the crap that seems to find its way to the top way too often.