Stephen Paul Smoker released his new album Ripe Fruit last week. The album an eclectic romp shifting from the fast paced, driving rhythm of "In Cairo" to the somber pluck guitar of "Cold As A Stone". This album seems meditative and psychedelic at the time. The are many moments through out at quite, almost restful. One of my favorites are the flute interlude in "The Light On The First Day of Spring... Pt 1.". In many way Stephen Paul Smoker is a throw back the 60's, but the way he builds his melody's also feel very modern. Ripe Fruit is just that, fresh and ready to be consumed.

Rambos seem to have it all, the look, the color scheme, the awesome album title... Rock and Roll Monsters, and the name of course. However, do they have the sound to back it up? Rambos is fronted by Julie Meckler and Jeremy David Miller, along with Ryan Anderson, JJ Evans & Ian Tsan. They play what some are calling "Junk Rock", it is gritty, fun, lo-fi at times, but it packs enough punch to be considered monstrous and worthy of the Rambo name. Rambos resided at an intersection of rage and humor, rock and folk, set up shop and proceed to entertain. The band's debut album, Rock and Roll Monsters will be released on March 6th by Grape Juice Records.

These days Hidden Hospitals are anything but while they the kick the promotion for their debut ep "EP 001" in overdrive. The band, containing former members of Damiera and Kiss Kiss, brings a crisp and effective brand of rock oozing with blaring guitars and driving baselines. The band's first single "Swan Dive" is a soaring anthem that has turned more than a few heads. The four piece band is guided by the wide range in the vocals of David Raymond. His vocals shift effortlessly from hush swoon to forcefully scream through the ep. For a band that only played their first live show in September of last year, EP 001 is an extremely polished effort.