The music that keeps us going through the weekly grind

Samantha Donen
November 2, 2005

1. Atman Roots Band, Improvizatiphopation
Atman Roots Band, Improvizatiphopation: Improvizatiphopation, the first album released by New Orleans’ Atman Roots Band, travels from darkness to lightness in a blend of jazz, hip hop, reggae, and Afro-Cuban, similar to combining Coltrane, The Roots, Bob Marley, and the Buena Vista Social Club. The flow goes from long instrumentals to rasta/hip hop vocals that demand your attention. Web link: atmanroots.com. Get to the front of the stage yourself. The Atman Roots Band will be at the Sandbar in West Vail, Thursday, Nov 3. The show starts at 9:30 p.m.

2. Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
No, Franz Ferdinand, I could not have it so much better. Finally an album jam-packed with enough cocky lyrics and pop beats that will kick the overplayed Killers album out of my CD player. A major thumbs up to Franz Ferdinand's second album. For those listening to retro-glam pop rock bands, this album reminds me of the early days of Bowie combined with The Killers, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Arcade Fire … Web link: franzferdinand.co.uk

3. The Nervous Return, Wake Up Dead
One day you are just cruising along thinking everything is OK and then you wake up dead. That’s the idea behind the latest album from L.A. pop rock band, The Nervous Return. Wake Up Dead creates a sense of urgency in their first album with intense driving music that lyrically targets the apathetic. It’s like a combo of Queens of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Descendants, and Offspring. Perfect album to listen to if you are pissed off. Web link: thenervousreturn.com.