Roisin Murphy

If you are tired of Britney Spear's new "album" and want a solid female singer songwriter who is absolutely amazing, check out Roisin Murphy. She is a British electronica artist formerly with the group: Moloko. She has two albums: 2005's Ruby Blue and 2007's Overpowered. Unfortunately Overpowered has not been released across the pond in the good old United States of America. Dear Miami is by far my favorite track off Overpowered and the video is good too. Her best video is for Overpowered which also happens to be an excellent song. Roisin grew up in Ireland and developed her unique fashion sense at an early age. Of course Roisin's unbelievably attractive countenance helps her pull off her unique style. If you are looking for a pop sensation that sounds like something in the top 40 then you will be sorely disappointed. Roisin is much more laid back with slower beats and a definite club feel. Keep in mind that she is from Europe and European clubs are very different than American clubs. Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of her songs are more like trance than traditional club pop. She is the perfect mix of deeper trance selections and more mainstream dance/electronica.

Thome Yorke

I have long wanted the Thom Yorke solo album. Its called The Eraser and it came out in 2006. I finally have it and it has topped all my expectations. It is stunning and perfect in every way. I am a huge Radiohead fan. They are the best band of our generation without a doubt. While I believe that overall music has waned in quality from decades past, I believe Radiohead has lost nothing and can be put on the same level as The Beatles, Hendrix, Dylan, etc. They are brilliant musicians, adept composers and amazing live, but it is their lasting contributions to music that make them revolutionary. Thom Yorke is one of the main contributors in the greatest band the world has seen in a long time. This is why The Eraser is so good. He takes the skill and awe inspiring energy of Radiohead and pours it into his solo album. The entire album is written and performed by Thom himself. He says it features more "beats and electronics" than Radiohead is accustomed to. It is full of electronic beats, ominous synths and ticky computer percussion. The limited guitar and staccato piano seem to highlight his isolation. Lyricly, he colors the album with his own personal heartbreaks and the darker reflections of his psyche. When a talent like Thom Yorke opens up the deepest, darkest corners of his mind and pours it into an album, it is sure to be suberb. "Are you only being nice because you want something?" he asks in the title track. The album's personal tone is a refreshing difference from Radiohead's collective and unified feel. My favorite tracks are The Eraser, The Clock, Atoms For Peace, and Harrowdown Hill although choosing favorites is nearly impossible. I am amazed that Yorke can produce something this good on his own. Most solo projects fail to live up to the bands that produced them. This is one solo attempt that is every bit as good as the band it originated from.