Push and Shove
No Doubt
$13.99
Gwen Stefani (vocals), Tom Dumont (guitar and keyboard), Tony Kanal (bass and keyboard) and Adrian Young (drums) have been the four musicians behind No Doubt since 1989. Eleven years after releasing their last album, Rock Steady, No Doubt has recorded and released, Push and Shove, making it the band's fifth studio album. Produced by Mark "Spike" Stent, No Doubt recorded the 11-song album over a two-year period throughout Los Angeles.
The band originally formed due to their appreciation of 80's pop and Southern California ska, creating the signature ska-pop sound that has won over countless No Doubt listeners. Push and Shove is no exception with hints of the band's distinct genre, as well as demonstrating the growth each of the artists has had during the 11-year hiatus.
The single, Settle Down, is the first track on the album and greets listeners with the band's dancehall roots as the members reunite, settle down, and unveil their most recent compilation.
Push and Shove, which is a collaboration between Stent and Major Lazer, has electronic dance music moments and also maintains a reggae sound. Gwen Stefani and Busy Signal add an extra layer to the song with a rap-off, which makes this track stand out.
Stefani co-wrote Undone with Kanal, which is a slower-paced track with emotionally charged lyrics. The raw lyrics express "I'm undone and there's nothing I can do," giving the album additional depth and a versatile range of sound.
Holistically, Push and Shove is a strong representation of No Doubt's unique sound and feels as if the Anaheim locals picked up right where they left off.
Babel
Mumford and Sons
$11.99
Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane formed Mumford and Sons in December 2007 with the hopes of making music they were passionate about. After experiencing unprecedented success with their first album, Sigh No More, the West London natives have released Babel.
The second album was written over a two-year period while the four were touring and was produced by Markus Dravs (Coldplay, Björk). Over 18 months, Mumford and Sons recorded the 12 new tracks in four different English studios, ultimately walking away with an album that reflects the journey they have been on since Sigh No More was released.
Lovers" Eyes and Hopeless Wanderer were the first songs written in Tennessee that began to form what is now Babel, while Babel and I Will Wait For You were recorded in Bermondsey, south London.
Strong strumming from the guitar introduces Babel, track one on the album, with a distinctive and live music sound, which radiates throughout the album as a whole. The lyrics, "I know my weakness, know my voice," demonstrate the growth that the band and the individual members have undergone since their last record release.
I Will Wait For You pronounces itself with guitars and banjos, along with its chorus that becomes a mantra. This single engages listeners into the passion behind the lyrics and music, urging the audience to sing along with the band, "I will wait for you" each time it is sung.
Hear Me
Kyle Sherman
$8.99
The 31-year-old, Fort Worth-based Kyle Sherman released his debut record, Hear Me, on Oct. 5. The singer-songwriter, who attended Dallas Baptist University, was previously a worship leader at LifeChurch.tv's Fort Worth campus until RayLynn Records recently signed him on to record his first album.
The Christian and Gospel genre album, Hear Me, has Southern roots within the sound and lyrics, while also drawing upon a range of musicians and bands for inspiration from Needtobreathe to Eric Clapton.
The title song and first song on the album, Hear Me, displays Sherman's honesty in his lyrics asking for the Lord to "hear [him]."
Come To Me plays after Hear Me and can currently be heard on the radio. Kyle Sherman said that this song "was one of the first songs that got this process started for [them], and it came together pretty easily."
Bob Simpson, former top executive at XTO Energy, and his wife Janice are huge supporters of Kyle and even took part in writing some of the songs. Bob Simpson wrote The Greatest Tear, which is an Easter ballad that speaks of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The way in which Sherman sings this song, there is great passion and anguish behind it because he is deeply connected with what he is singing about in his lyrics.
Janice Simpson wrote My One True Friend on this album.
Kyle Sherman's vocals paired with the beautiful and sincere lyrics strung together throughout each track give listeners a fresh sound in the Christian and Gospel genre. The inviting tone of each song welcomes listeners of all genres.
