By Gena Markman

Utah native and "The Voice" runner up Dia Frampton has wowed audiences for years with her unique vocals and inventive lyrics in her band Meg and Dia. Now, she has come out with her very own album (December 6) to show the world that she can stand on her own two feet without bending or buckling. RED The album is definitely a fresh look of Dia Frampton.

In my opinion, there is nothing worse in an album than feeling like you are listening to the same song ten times over. However, RED is filled with a large variety including acoustic song like “Daniel” and “Trapeze”,  more folk-influence songs such as “Isabella”, fun dance music like “Don’t kick the Chair” featuring Kid Cudi, and even a country track with Blake Shelton,  her former coach on The Voice! The diversity in her album is without a doubt influenced by her several impressive writing collaborations including Mark Foster (Foster the People), Isabella Summers (Florence and the Machine), Chris Seefried, Tom Shapiro, and many more.

Though I’ve heard of buzz of concern coming from old M&D fans about her joining a mainstream label, I can honestly assure you that Dia sounds as true and purely Dia Frampton as ever before. Her single, “The Broken Ones” is a great example of the colorful, and creative lyrics that have made Meg and Dia’s music unique for years. Her sound is organic, honest, and will hit you to the core. This album demonstrates her maturity and improvement as an artist, singer, and writer. She tells stories, reminisces her past, and may even open up some of your old wounds… but be willing to listen all the way through and you will not regret it. Highly Recommended

By Gena Markman

After influencing the lives and touching the hearts of many, R.E.M. decide to call it quits after a powerful and rewarding 31-year run on September 21, 2011.

“This wasn’t an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.”

Wrote singer and front man Michael Stipe.

  As one of the first popular alternative rock bands, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry never ceased to impress their loyal fans with controversial, inventive, hand crafted lyrics, skilled instruments, congenial compositions and harmonies, and the unique, lingering voice that is Michael Stipe and R.E.M.. They no doubt left a lasting impression on each and every one of their fans; as well as contributed to the shape we see our musical world today.

R.E.M. assured the split was in no way sparked by disagreements or controversy of any kind within the band - Just that it was simply “the time.” Many also believe their last album, Collapse Into Now, contained several lyrics hinting towards a split. If you listen to it, the entire album seems to be saying “farewell and thank you”. For example, in the song “All the Best,” lines such as “I think I’ll sing it and rhyme, I’ll give it one more time.” And “it’s just like me to overstay my welcome,” seem like clear goodbyes, especially when going back and listening to it after news of the spilt.

If you haven’t yet pleased your ears and mind with the genius works of R.E.M., don’t fret. The band left behind 15 full albums in their 3-decade long journey. Mike Mills, bassist of R.E.M. keeps me at ease by giving the comforting statement that convinces me the split was for the best, “We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this – there’s no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring off. We’ve made this decision together, amicably and with each other’s best interests at heart. The time just feels right."