I’ve been in a funk for the last few weeks where I’ve been listening to nothing but sad, droning music. While that’s fine for a short while, eventually you need to listen to something that will brighten things up a bit. DRIVER FRIENDLY’s Bury a Dream is a fantastic place to start. They toe the lyrical line between positive and cheesy in a way that makes you feel warm, fuzzy and understood without all of the cliches.

The group chanting “It’s not death that scares us/It’s the ghosts we cannot see that scares us” in “Ghosts” kicks things off with a familiar riff and polished synths - a combination that shows up a couple more times (notably in “Shark Cave”). Then there’s the tracks that completely contrast the above combination. “Messidona” pulls out the energetic horn section early on, while “Harsh, Harsh, Harsh” builds up with it later.

“Why Don’t You Just Rain For Me?” has just a few lines, “Sing me to sleep with the songs you keep under the bedroom floor/ I will stay awake with every moment that fades/ I will sleep no more.” Yet despite being one of the shortest tracks on the album, it carries a lot of emotional weight in its delivery. It’s almost sung in a matter of fact tone that catches you slightly off guard, and is followed by one of the loudest, fullest instrumental sections on the album.

While the instruments are all great, what helps make this album something you’ll come back to over and over is the lyrics. No matter what your musical taste there’s a chance you can get into Bury a Dream. Stream and pre-order it here: http://driverf.bandcamp.com/

RIYL: The Fold, The Starting Line, The Eastern Sea

Review by Alisha Kirby

For free streaming music and more news, visit likeZEBRA.com

I’m a sucker for this type of band. It’s the guilty pleasure I don’t really feel guilty about sharing. If you want something that’s a mix of The Starting Line, Yellowcard, and old All Time Low, then look no further, because Mercer Avenue is right up your alley.

Fast paced drums, anthem like vocals about being young, and familiar guitar riffs litter More Than a Statement. What really stood out to me was that, in songs like “Still Breathing”, they implement what sounds like three different vocalists. What could potentially be a sloppy mess of unintelligible words turns out nicely, as they mesh it all together quite well. “Through The Looking Glass” and “Smoke and Mirrors” are the perfect tracks to blast through your open car windows, embodying a sort of youthful summer sound.

The seven minute closer, “Honest Enough”, shows off some of the bands better instrumentation and lyricism. It was the right way to end a solid EP, and while I’m all about the soft acoustic closing track, the fade out chant was a good move on their part. More Than a Statement is an EP for those of us who sometimes enjoy the catchier side of this pop-rock revolution that’s going on in 2011.

Listen to their music here.

Review by Alisha Kirby

For free streaming music and more news, visit likeZEBRA.com