Colin in todays paper

"When young wannabe rock stars/rappers/songwriters try to create something new by making a bouillabaisse of all possible influences, the potential for poisonous stinkage is through the roof. Every once in a while, though, artists like New London's Flowers and Kain or breaking Canadian sensation Colin Munroe offer great hope for the whole concept of stylistic cut and paste.

Munroe is on a brief preparatory tour in anticipation of the January release of “Don't Think of Me as Less,” his debut major label release for Universal Motown. He appears Friday at Hanafin's Irish Pub in New London.

And Flowers and Kain open the show. This could be really great.

Munroe, with his yearning, Howie Day-style pop melodies and truly clever approach to urban music arrangement and production, has already garnered the endorsement of such folks as Kanye West, MTV, and Pitchfork Media. The songs are fresh and fun to listen to, whether on a dance floor or over headphones.

And we already know Flowers and Kain deserves similar national attention.

- RICK KOSTER

Colin Munroe, Flowers and Kain, 8 p.m. Fri., Hanafin's Irish Pub, 310 State St., New London; $10; 437-9724, hanafinspub.com"

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