Can music from the middle of Ohio be any good?

Yes, yes it can. In fact it can be downright glorious.

I have recently had the pleasure of being turned onto the Ohio based band Bel Auburn. This group of guys love things like music from Iceland (Sigur Ros, I'm sure) and houses with porches. However, these seemingly home town fellows can produce some of the most emotion filled rock I've heard in a long time.

A friend of mine showed me their 2006 album, which is entitled "Lullabies in A & C." It is an album filled with rich melodic themes along with stunning effects that catch hold of your ear and don't let it go for quite some time. If you are a fan of melodic rock of any sort this might be just the thing for you.

There is a beauty and depth in their music that surpasses much of the shallow rock that is put out today. It's almost like they use every thing from their instruments to guitar effects to sweeping vocal refrains to paint a beautiful picture for your ears. It's not face melting guitar rock but it's not sleepy navel-gazing rock either. These guys know how to build a song to climax. With all the purpose and feeling great artists posses, they have put together one great album.

Some of my favorite tracks on the album are "Blind Ward," which features some great guitar effects which seem to echo after the vocals; "Good Night", which combines haunting vocals with driving rythms from the bass and drums. All of the songs are notable and good but another favorite has to be "Burn Unit."

Overall, this is an impressive second album for the group. I can't wait to get my hands on their debut album. If you want to give their music a listen they have their current album available for streaming here. So if you want a sample of what good indie-rock can taste like take a lick....I mean a look. I hope you enjoy what you find. Let the music speak to your soul as it did to mine.