Sometimes, all it takes is a MASSIVE lead off single to gain major interest in your album. This is definitely the case with Uh Huh Her’s first full length release, Common Reaction. Late this summer, I heard one of the catchiest, most amazing pop rock songs of the year, Not A Love Song, and because of that track, I instantly pre-ordered Common Reaction
This is definitely one of THE most underrated albums of the year for me; this album should be blowing up. Seriously, every song on Common Reaction
I think that some of my excitement about Uh Huh Her as a band, initially, was because of how much I adore Leisha Hailey (from the L Word); but it is their music that deserves the real spotlight here. This album is not the type of record that one would expect as a debut album; this is a well produced record that a veteran band of many, many years would put out. Perhaps it is their previous musical experience (they’ve both been in several bands) that speaks here, because they are clearly veterans at making amazing music, and together, they have made something truly epic. There aren’t any other electro-pop albums that I heard like this one this year, and while it is definitely current, there are several moments that they embody the perfect and polished 80s girl pop rock band. I loved this album from the start (well, BEFORE the start), and it still makes me dance around and fills my ears with its sweet sounds upon each listen. I just wish that elation, excitement, and heaping praise were more common reactions to this album, because it definitely deserves to be a much bigger album than it currently is.
Sparkle Factor: 
Stand Outs: Not A Love Song [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_718_uhhuhher-notalovesong.mp3]
Dreamer, Wait Another Day, Explode, Dance With Me, Covered, Common Reaction.
Wow. You know what, I’m going to say that again; Wow. This song is amazing. Beautiful, thoughtful, powerful, peaceful, and again, amazing. I have been listening to the City and Colour CD for a while now, and for whatever reason, this song just hit me like a brick wall the other day. It reminds me of How My Heart Behaves by Feist, and when that one hit me when it did. Powerful. This song is one of the most amazingly beautiful songs that I have heard in a long time, and it is proof positive of why City and Colour’s 2008 release Bring Me Your Love is a solid 5 star album, and that it will definitely find itself amongst my top records of the year. I am seeing him with Tegan and Sara in a month, and I cannot freaking wait. The rest of the CD is great too, so make sure you do yourself a favor and get it now!
I posted a track by the Infadels a few weeks ago, which I randomly found on a indie playlist. After listening to that song, and getting into it, I snagged the record, and after several listens, I have been introduced into a fabulous record. This song comes from another one of the solidly 4 star rated albums that are sure to be amongst my top records of the year. These guys remind me a lot of the Kaiser Chiefs, yet with their own pop edge, kind of like Melee (a smidge). Either way, I have really enjoyed getting to know this record, and I am glad that I stumbled on this random find. This is probably my favorite track on the record; that chorus is just massive, and I can’t get enough! “Our love’s so good… yeah, it’s chemical…” you know what, so is this song!!!!!
After falling HARD for the first single, Not A Love Song, I pre-ordered this album, eager to hear what else Uh Huh Her was sure to dazzle me with. A week before it was released, they streamed the record online, and it was great; my anticipation only increased. However, when I got it, I was not really in the mood for it or whatever, so I didn’t really get into it as much as I had hoped. Well, that all changed with each new listen. This record is crafted masterfully, and each song is so well written and woven together with melody and beat that it really creates a beautiful music landscape for you to enjoy; again, and again. This is one of my favorite songs from the record, and it is one of those songs that really sticks to your ribs; you will be singing that chorus over and over hours after you hear it. The best part, is each time I hear this album, I love it more; it is a solid 5 star record, and I am glad that it has grown on me as much as it has. I love their writing style, lyrically, as well as how they craft their sound. This is definitely a group to check out if you haven’t done so already… one of the best records of ’08 people!
This track is a recent “leak” from Jon McLaughlin’s upcoming release Ok Now, which I am EAGERLY anticipating. I LOVED his last CD, Indiana, even ranking it amongst my 
This track is one of those tracks that I heard quite a while ago, and instantly fell in love with. However, after not hearing anything substantial about a release from the artist over a long period of time, I naturally forgot about how much I enjoyed this track; as I often, unfortunately do with singles. Well, some recent buzz I have seen on the internets about Isabel made me go back and give this one a listen (as well as some of her other stuff), and low and behold, this song is just as good this go ’round. I really, really hope to see a full CD release from her, because this song is amazing (read A-M-A-Z-I-N-G), and I can’t wait to see what else she can do. I have been, and definitely will be, listening to this love song on repeat!
I actually stumbled upon Jamie’s new record JIM by accident; the cover looked interesting, so I downloaded it. I wasn’t expecting to hear what I did, however, because this guy has a ton of talent. There are jazzy, hip-hop influenced, and even soulful bluesy songs littered throughout his record. His voice reminds me a lot of Marc Broussard, but with a touch of Jay Kay from Jamiroquai mixed in. In fact, there are a couple of songs that sound like they were influenced by Jamiroquai, and they are fun, and well executed. Overall, the record is a great listen, and this is my favorite song from it. 
I seriously cannot get enough of this song. I randomly looked up something else (I can’t even remember what), and I saw a mention of Uh Huh Her, and how it was Leisha Hailey’s new band. Well, I LOVE her on the L Word, so I had to see what the buzz was about. What I found was a fantastic song, and upon listening to their previously released EP, I found a band that I am definitely interesting in getting to know more. This song is interesting, because of the distortion that they used with the synthesizers, it’s almost a little eighties, but at the same time, it isn’t. I can’t explain it. All I know is that I fucking LOVE this song, and I am having to stop myself from pressing repeat every time it comes up on my ipod. I cannot wait for their CD release, which is only a short time away; August 19th. 
I am very pleased to feature another out gay artist today (Leisha Hailey of Uh Huh Her is an out lesbian), especially being that it is Shortbus star Jay Brannan. After seeing Shortbus, I heard that Jay was a musician, and even heard a few songs by him, but nothing substantial was released until recently. His recently released CD goddamned is out on iTunes as of a week or so ago, and this song, which is the first on the CD, has me CAPTIVATED. I love the simplicity of the rhythm, and I love his tender and sincere voice. This song is great not only because it sounds great, but because of the realization that he can’t have it all, and the frustration from that he explores in the lyrics. Just a note for those of you listening at work, he does say fuck a few times in the song, so just be aware of that, okay? Man, I love this song.