Editor’s note: The following music reviews are of bands that will be playing in Ames this weekend. Ekoostik Hookah plays tonight at The M-Shop at 8 and 11 p.m. My Scarlet Life and Eggs @ 8:14 play Saturday at 9 p.m.

“Where The Fields Grow Green”

Ekoostik Hookah

There’s just something about Ekoostik Hookah’s music that makes it either completely memorable or forgettable. This has never been as obvious as it is on the group’s new CD which is a smorgasbord of delicacies, both sweet and sour.

Most of “Where The Fields Grow Green” relies too heavily on mom-and-pop tales that have no real significance. The CD does have its lyrical moments, however.

“Hookahville” is a really decent song that tells the story of a man named Billy Jones who moves to a magical place that has none of the problems of our world.

“Springtime Again,” and “Red Light Boogie” also have some really decent lyrics, although the vocals on the former seem a bit rushed in places.

But you do have to give the group’s members credit for ambition.

The songs on the CD make great use out of a variety of instruments including electric, acoustic, lead and slide guitars, banjo, piano, organ and drums.

Ekoostik Hookah also deserves credit for throwing together a CD that encompasses a lot of different types of music including blues (“Blues Forgotten” and “Through Hiker”) and the horrific “Caribou” (even with its decent lyrics) which mangles country music in a way that would frighten any hillbilly.

However, “Another Good Man Gone” and the epic “Ecstasy” make up for whatever shortcomings “Where The Fields Grow Green” might possess.

Although neither one of these songs could match anything the Dead ever did, they are certainly better than most of Phish’s material.

3 stars out of five

“Buzzbomb”

My Scarlet Life

My Scarlet Life is a group that refuses to be limited by musical boundaries, standard conventions or preconceived expectations.

While the group’s last CD, “Trypnotica,” could easily be considered our generation’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” “Buzzbomb” is not as easily categorized or compared.

There never has been anything recorded that sounds remotely like this CD. It has a life of its own, one that is impossible to dissect or analyze.

Each song is a cacophony of siren-like vocals, otherworldly keyboard samples, percussion, guitar and flute.

Sometimes this mixture is overwhelming. Yet, every song is ultimately accessible, catchy and mind-boggling.

Take “Heartache” for instance. It is one of those songs that will embed itself in your head like a pitchfork. Once you hear this song, you are never going to forget it. “Crushed Desire” and “Flesh and Seed” also fit into this category.

“Black Limbo” is a hypnotizing song driven by excellent guitar playing and a solid, danceable beat. “Reflection” has a slow, murky rhythm and intriguing samples. “Cumulus” and “Other Worlds” show that the group’s songwriting capabilities have matured a great deal in the last year.

The two best songs on the CD, “Other Worlds” and “Fire,” also accurately sum up “Buzzbomb.” It’s a CD that is capable of, and willing to, take its listeners to a musical environment that they have never been before, an environment that is as inviting as holding a loved one on a cold winter night in front of the fireplace.

5 stars out of five

“Lost”

Eggs @ 8:14

The music created by Eggs @ 8:14 is as unique and interesting as the group’s name. “Lost” features 10 songs that are reminiscent of such psychedelic groups as Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane.

But these comparisons don’t justify each song’s distinct atmosphere and texture, both of which help to accentuate soaring vocals and dynamic guitar riffs.

The CD opens with “Snakes,” which moves along like a speeding locomotive. This song has an extremely moody atmosphere that is fueled by eerie guitar riffs and an electric viola.

The title track is a beautiful spiral of sound that borders on kaleidoscopic. It has a bubbly rhythm that often shifts from boiling to floating, often as quick as a bolt of lightning. “Little Death” is a slower paced song featuring haunting, memorable guitar riffs and a rhythm as soft and appealing as velvet.

“Joe’s Head” starts out with a hard rock buzz that quickly yields rapid fire lyrics and a tempestuous rhythm. The song, which features some of the best lyrics on the CD, has all the charisma of a Zeppelin falling out of the sky.

Some other highlights on “Lost” include the cascading guitar riffs of “Walls,” and the spirited ambiance of “Beautiful.”

To top it all off, the group provides a mind-blowing cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” that has more of a live rock ‘n’ roll feel than the original (the blistering guitar and bass riffs are incredible).

“Lost” is an excellent CD from start to finish, one that offers something new to its listeners every time it’s played. Not too bad for a debut release.

4 stars out of five