Now this is music.

With their first, self-titled release, newcomers Echo Helstrom have produced not only solid lyrics but also innovative, quality music.

They are consummate musicians. The band members are Ross Seligman, guitar and vocals; Annemarie Hoffman, violin; Will Amend, bass; and Mike McDonalds, drums.

All four have either jazz or classical training, and it shows.

They masterfully mix many different styles: folk, punk, jazz and classical, to create a unique sound.

Their first self-titled album, Echo Helstrom, has great songs and there is not a single track that you would want to skip.

The band also manages an almost impossible feat of differentiating between songs without losing the sound cohesion. Some songs are truly wonderful.

Track one, “I’m changing,” has one of the most interesting melodies I have heard in months.

This upbeat song allows the musicians to show their skills.

Track five, “Water Carving Stones,” is a great ballad with soothing music and has great lyrics such as “Take my affection, without walls of shame, take my attention, I won’t tell you a thing.”

Also, “You are my favorite mystery, water carving stone, only for you I will be this way” are some more great lyrics.

The only aspect I think could be improved are the vocals.

In a few songs Seligman shows his talent as a vocalist.

However, for the majority of the album, he stays in a safe and slightly repetitive range.

I would say that this band is destined for many, many outstanding albums in the future, each one topping the previous.

But for now, they have made an album that I could keep in my CD player indefinitely.

They are a much needed change of pace in the music world.

Two very certain thumbs up.