Uncle Joe's is a small place, with friendly bartenders and reasonable drink prices. There is a small back room with a few comfortable couches in which the bands play. The small room makes for a very cozy atmosphere. The entertainment on the night I went consisted of 3 very different sounding bands, only one of which was from the Garden State.

The night opened with a set from NYC indie-rockers, Esther, followed by the high energy pop rock stylings of Boston's Naked Sams. Both bands put on highly entertaining sets, that are worth seeing. The headliner for the night was the Crayons, who I have said enough good things about here in the past, that if you haven't already gone to see them, why the hell not?

Now maybe it was just the audience that night, believe me I'll be back there again soon to check this place out again, but the other major thing I noticed was how quiet the place was while the performers were playing. Everyone listening to the music, hanging on every note, every word. Even Keith of the Crayons noted during a pause in their song "mumbles", "I can hear a pin drop."

Of course major credit has to go the Batsards of Melody's Paul Crane, who first mentioned this venue to me several months ago, and does some of the show bookings their under his Ransom Music Network outfit. Check Uncle Joe's out while it still has the uber-hip underground vibe going for.

For those who are looking for a new CD review, I have posted a review of Pole Position's new CD, "XO", Here.

And I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day. Remember, "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with" (all apologies to CSN&Y).

2. NEW SONGS ADDED THIS WEEK