ARTIST: Coheed and Cambria

Three words...ROCK IS BACK!! Not since the early 90's have we heard such a rock epic as Coheed and Cambria's latest single, "Welcome Home" off of their new album "IV." Call them rock, progressive, alternative, whatever, Coheed has struck a new chord in today's pop-infested, power-chord-driven, rock world. Coming from New York, Coheed officially began in 2001, where lead singer and guitarist Claudio Sanchez made a name for himself although sounding eerily similar to Geddy Lee of Rush if you ask us. Also similar to Rush is the band's use of a running Sci-Fi storyline that continues through all four parts of each CD that they've released off of Columbia Records. Comparison's aside, there is NO comparison to Coheed today, and for anybody missing those pelting rock solos of yester-year, take a listen and look at this video!

For those of you that can't stand the noise: Welcome to Sunday Silence. Sunday Silence is an acoustic duo comprised of two guys who's soulful sounds from alternative to hip-hop have been requested over and over again around San Antonio.

Ron Bryant and John Moreira, both avid music lovers, have felt the pressures of popularity since beginning Sunday Silence.

"We have no problem getting gigs, in fact, we have too many gigs!", says Bryant, who has played in several bands in San Antonio. Sunday Silence plays several local hot spots such as Dixie's, Wise Guys, Babcock Bar and Broadway Bar. "One reason we get so many offers to play locally is by word of mouth," says Moreira, who recently left the armed forces to follow his passion for music. Alot of bar owners are out the same nights that we play, so they come to us and ask us to play at their venue. We are lucky to have so many offers to play around the city."

So why is Sunday Silence so in demand from the local bar scene? Their acoustic style ranges from cover songs to their own material. Cover songs range from such bands and genres such as Tool, Coldplay, old school R&B, and hip-hop. "An acoustic setting is more intimate and our audiences seem to appreciate the flow of our music," says Bryant. We get requests as we play for every typs of music out there, and its important that we please our fans. They make us or break us."

And where exactly did the name Sunday Silence come from? Moreira re-visits back to his time in the military when he was stationed overseas, and the name came to him suddenly. "I was stationed in the desert and the origin comes from the world being created in seven days. On the seventh day, being Sunday, it is a day of rest and silence. I thought it sounded cool!"

Cool is only one of the words to describe the talent of Sunday Silence. You will be sure to catch this duo in your favorite local bar in San Antonio. If you happen to catch them one weekend, go up and request your favorite tune. From old school to alternative, they will surely make you shut up and listen.

Robin Thicke

The Evolution of Robin Thicke

If Justin Timberlake ever happens to take sexy away in the near future, Robin Thicke will be right behind him to bring it back again. Thicke's second album could not have a more aptly named title, as the crooner truly evolves his blue-eyed soul into a much more mature effort than his debut (A Beautiful World, 2003). Thicke has succeeded behind the scenes of the music industry for years, penning tracks for big names including Usher and Michael Jackson - but this sophomore set gives the gifted songwriter his own identity by establishing an original blend of pop-themed love songs with new R&B flavor.

A guest appearance by Faith Evans and two by Lil' Wayne (including a remix of "Shooter," a track from Thicke's first album) help give The Evolution credibility among R&B circles, but the album's pop synths and catchy lyrics make this set one for fans of both genres. For those who enjoy the new rythmic hip-hop recently released by artists like Timberlake and Diddy, this is a great addition to your album collection. The bonus for The Evolution of Robin Thicke is an added sense of maturity, which puts this album above and beyond it's competition.

-Jordan Davidoff