Following in the footsteps of piano powerhouses such as Keane and Ben Folds, Jacob Vanags delivers energetic percussion with his own pop twist on his second EP, Pulses are Pluses, released November 2009.

The first song in the set, “All That You Have,” pulsates with pensive energy. Youth resonates in Vanags’s voice as it pops against the pounding keys with a quirk similar to that of Nate Reuss’s (fun., The Format). However, despite the lighthearted pace of the track, Vanags steers very clear of cute. Given his relatively new arrival to the music scene—his first EP was just released January 2008—his lyrics are clever and sophisticated for their juvenescence. The Ohio-grown Hofstra student doesn’t bounce innocently from verse to verse; he bites. “Baby, when you realize that/you have all that you have/then maybe I will care a little more,” he chides. His skepticism is clear evidence of Foldsian influence—Vanags echoes the sarcasm Folds voiced in songs like “Silver Street” and “There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You.”

Vanags maintains vibrancy throughout the album with the accompaniment of drummer/trumpeter Zach Periharos and bassist Nicky Cantatore. “Toss” flows like water, while “Stuck” packs a staccato punch. The most pleasant surprise, however, waits on the last track, “Johah’s Dream.” Where previous songs jolt listeners awake, the final piece provides a calmer, more spiritual lift. The unexpected addition of a choir and violin (Dylan Ebrahimian) is mellow yet invigorating, and gives the EP a sense of finality after such fast-paced tempos.

Sources: http://www.myspace.com/jacobvanags; http://www.enochmagazine.com/articles/band-interviews/jacob-vanags-interview

Is your younger sister a Jonas Brothers junkie? Does she keep Owl City on constant replay? Is Kelly Clarkson her idea of quality female rock? If these scenarios sound familiar, it may be time to introduce her to life outside America’s Top 40. Cue Smile Smile, a Dallas duo whose sophomore album, Truth on Tape, was released February 9th.

Ryan Hamilton and Jencey Hirunrusme were two musicians who fell in love. After producing an album, moving in together and getting engaged, infidelity followed. Truth on Tape is the chronicle of their relationship’s decay. Despite its emotional gravity, however, the 11-song collection gives off a light, sing-song vibe. It sounds, well, sophomoric.

The album begins with “Tempo Bledsoe,” which would have fit nicely on the Juno soundtrack; quirky synth effects and elementary vocals are discordant enough to grab listeners’ attention, but the combination doesn’t push its limits past “cute.” The songs that follow intermittently gain and lose depth — “Beg You to Stay” is irritatingly repetitive, though steady instrumental buildup and development provides some redemption in the album’s namesake, “Truth on Tape.”

Hamilton and Hirunrusme seem to forget all about the heartbreak that they claim as the theme of their album. Their Mazzy Star/Moldy Peaches feel is better suited to a playground picnic than a bitter breakup. Their product is pleasant, and listening is easy. Truth on Tape is flat and simple, making for marketable background music. Smile Smile provides a perfect transition for members of the younger generation who are growing tired of Ryan Seacrest’s suggestions, but aren’t yet ready for the Flaming Lips‘ weirdness or the Arctic Monkeys‘ intensity. Send a copy to your 12-year-old cousin; it’ll go great with her candy-pink nail polish.

Sources: http://www.kirtlandrecords.com/SmileSmile.htm

BEST USE:
An emotional cleanser. Let it help you clean out your closet, throw away old notes and photos, and shake off both proverbial and physical dust.

Mix one part Coldplay, one part Tori Amos, and one part airy, sunlit room. The result? Melodic piano and sophisticated vocals, a refreshing combination identified as The Jezabels.

Four Australian musicians (Hayley McGlone, vocals; Heather Shannon, piano; Nik Kaloper, drums; Sam Lockwood, guitar) combine texture and emotion with pop influences on their second EP, She’s So Hard. McGlone’s voice, unmistakably capable of intense pitches and high volumes, remains light and almost delicate throughout most of the album. However, the select moments in which she unleashes her true capabilities, most notably during “Hurt Me” and “Into The Ink,” pack an invigorating auditory punch. The result is an eerie beauty, a full-bodied wail that spills over clashing drums and pounding piano.

The Jezabels possess a uniqueness like that of Tegan & Sara, infused with the power of Rush (think “Tom Sawyer”). Citing influences from ABBA to Prokofiev, their unconventional vocals and flowing instrumentals give off a cool incandescence. The album art, simplistic and white with sparse color splashes, further instills a sense of clean, empty spaces. Lyrics concerning lost innocence and disenchantment with love are complex enough to appease the critical poet, yet speak earnestly to the naive young girl searching for truth. She’s So Hard will inspire listeners to cast off old demons in favor of new beginnings. Save it for a Saturday afternoon; thrust open the window, bask in the sunlight, and let The Jezabels carry in some fresh air.

Sources: http://www.thejezabels.com/;http://www.myspace.com/jezabelsband