Folk artist one to watch

Jake Bugg
Jake Bugg
Mercury Records
9.5-out-of-10

Normally I try to keep my album reviews to Canadian content. However this week I stumbled upon the young artist Jake Bugg. I found his music by mere chance, he used to open for Mumford and Sons. His self-titled debut is album is one of the best folk albums I have heard in really long time. In fact as albums go it would get strong consideration for one of my five albums if I was ever stuck on a deserted island. Jake Bugg comes from across the pond in England and at age 19 the best is yet to come from this kid.

There is nothing that is done badly on the album. The songs are written beautifully and you would never guess that they are written by someone who hasn't reached his 20th birthday yet. With fourteen tracks on the album there isn't a weak one in the bunch. Any one of the songs could be considered the best song on the album. Though it doesn't matter how great an album every person will have a favourite song. On this album for me the best song is 'Broken.' It is haunting beautiful. The lyrics are meaningful and the acoustics that accompany the vocals only make the song better.

When it comes to albums for me there is no such thing as a perfect album. But this is as close as it will ever get. I haven't been this enthralled with a debut album since I heard Mumford and Sons for the first time. Jake Bugg as a bright future ahead of him and could soon take the throne of being the best folk act out there. If folk music is your thing check out Jake Bugg.

-ADAM DANIELS

Fight or Flight
"A Life By Design?"
Warner Bros. Records
8.5-out-of-10

Usually when bands go on indefinite hiatuses it usually is a politically correct term for broken up. Sometimes good things can happen from a band's hiatus. Which is what Fight or Flight just happens to be. Fight or Flight is a side project of two members of Disturbed, who just happen to be on an indefinite hiatus at the moment. Fight of Flight debut album "A Life By Design?" It is a great hard rock album. Which is what you would expect when two members of the pedigree of coming from Disturbed.

For fans of Disturbed who listen to this album and expect it to sound like another Disturbed album, those people would be disappointed. The lead singer is different and that is where most bands have their sound established. "A Life By Design?" is a great album with a lot great songs. 'Empathic' is one of those songs. The more I listen to 'Empathic' the more I grow to like it. This is impressive as most songs lose their likability the more you hear them. One of the things I like about "A Life By Design?" is they put an acoustic song on the album. For me acoustic is usually always better and 'Leaving' is a great song.

This album is worth a listen, there isn't much not to like about it. Hard rock is hard rock and that is what this album is. This is just one of those albums you press play, crank the dial to eleven and enjoy. Loud is always better and Fight or Flight deserves to be loud.

-ADAM DANIELS