Leave - On A Happy Note... (2008)

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This is Leave`s third and, sadly, last album due the sudden and tragic death of Lead Singer/Guitaritst Mike Murphy - fortunately for us, the surviving members finished off their finest piece of work and birthed into the world, breathing life into a project that could have been moribund and depressing: it is not. This Chicago band plays that classic Illinois styled power pop with an earthy Mid-Western heart. They sounds like late 80s REM, Gin Blossoms mixed with the tasteful influences of The Beatles and ELO. "In fact, there`s nothing futuristic about their tight harmonies, driving rhythms and thoroughly satisfying power-pop, but as the aforementioned power-pop scene proves, catchy tunes never go out of style."-- Jim DeRogatis Chicago Sun-Times.

The Autumn Leaves - Long Lost Friend (2008)

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Their long overdue third release! 'A 'Long Lost Friend' indeed! Save for their contributions to Gene Clark and Rick Nelson tribute albums, David Beckey and company have been quiet for a while. The Autumn Leaves have turned somewhat since 2002's 'The Twilight Hours of the Autumn Leaves'. Keith Patterson, who shared bass playing duties with others on the band's previous two discs, has the job all to himself this time. Steve Kent, who drummed on one track on the Leaves' debut, 'Treats and Treasures', and was totally MIA on 'The Twilight Hours', is now full time as well, which is cool -he keeps things galloping along nice 'n crisply. And welcome to new lead guitarist Jonn Hunt: one photo pictures him with a Rickenbacker, and one listen to such tracks as 'Wintertyme Joy' and 'Back To Me' will convince you that he knows how to use it! Along with the requisite jangle, Hunt's also a master of the surfin' twang bar, a la The Ventures, Shadows, et. al., in which the Leaves have previously dabbled -check out 'Next to Me' and 'Make My Move'-- and dig his Box Tops 'Cry Like a Baby'-like sitar/guitar sound on 'Summer Sunshine,' one of two tracks he wrote. David Beckey penned most of the material, and it stands up quite well to his previous excellent work. He may be from Minneapolis, but his intimate, low, slightly nasal voice sounds a lot like Glasgow's Lloyd Cole (who David told us is one of his personal faves) and that, to use a Kook Kat Katchphase, is a very good thing -especially since his band raises a warm Commotion as it soars Eight Miles High! Let's hope this lineup hangs tight, hits the road and doesn't take so long between releases!" - Baron Saturday