Artist: The Alarmists

Album: “The Ghost and the Hired Gun”

Label: Instrument Control

Release date: Dec. 4, 2007

After hitting the Twin Cities’ music scene hard in 2005, The Alarmists pushed past their initial success with their recent full-length album, “The Ghost and the Hired Gun.” It’s an album that can be instantly recognizable and understood, and best of all, enjoyed thoroughly. Using the singer/songwriter approach to construct their music, the group displays their abilities to cross genres and hit home with an obvious thirst for musical expression.

The Alarmists produce a very original sound on this record by combining their catchy indie rock sound with a heavy nod to ’60s and ’70s stripped down rock ‘n’ rollers. Songs like “Hired Gun” and “Try To Be Kind” have very cool rhythms strewn with witty lyrics, great vocal hooks and thoughtful piano and guitar work that are very reminiscent of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The biggest thing this band has going for them now is how easy it is to dig them right away, which I believe comes from the confidence they have put into this album.

– Tyler Conen

Have you ever been trapped in an elevator? Well, if you’re the type that enjoys that sort of I’m-trapped-but-hey-at-least-there’s-muzak music then the self-titled Four Finger Five album is for you. The track “Solid Ground” actually starts the album off with a little bit of Frank-Zappa-esque rock but rapidly degenerates in the middle of the song to something your parents probably listened to in their teens while sitting on fuzzy orange couches and watching “All in the Family.”

The vocals by Joe Sturgill on track two, “Not Your War,” aren’t bad, but the soft jazz rock in the background completely undermines what could have been a soulful tune and turns it into a genre-bending concoction that simply doesn’t work.

However, the saving grace of the band is that apparently they do great live shows. So if you feel like dancing and don’t care what you’re listening to, go check them out on their winter tour.

– Rashah McChesney

Artist: OneRepublic

Album: “Dreaming Out Loud”

Label: Interscope

Release date: Nov. 20

Since its July debut on “So You Think You Can Dance,” OneRepublic’s addictive single, “Apologize,” has quickly built the band a strong fan base.

With the help of producer Timbaland, the song’s remix recently broke the record as the biggest hit in the history of Top 40 charts, with 10,331 spins in one week.

With all this success, it’s curious that the band hadn’t even released their debut album.

But alas, “Dreaming Out Loud” is out and it is no letdown to their current single’s success.

While “Apologize” is definitely the hottest track on their album, OneRepublic shows they have no intention of becoming one-hit wonders.

Throughout the album, the band combines basic soft-rock sounds with unique beats, resulting in some great songs.

The album’s opening song, “Say (All I Need),” as well as the tracks “Prodigal” and “All Fall Down,” showcase the band’s creativity with innovative beats and instruments.

Unfortunately, OneRepublic isn’t consistent with their originality; songs such as “Stop and Stare” and “Won’t Stop” take on a more generic soft-rock feel. The songs aren’t bad, but they’re not fresh either.

Overall, “Dreaming Out Loud” is definitely a hit. Although it slips into the cracks of mediocrity at times, the album sticks with an inventive sound.

– Patrick Crowley