Release Date: (2006)
Label: Velvet Blue Music
Producer: Jason Martin

December Hotel
Overall Rating:  ++++

(San Francisco in the 90's)

Map has delivered what I consider their most diverse and cohesive
album to date. This time around, Josh is backed by a new cast Paul Akers
(keyboards) and Trevor Monks (drums). This time around Map has delivered
an infectious combination of good songs with great awareness of where
Map has been. They have moved forward without sounding like they are
trying to capture past musical accomplishments.

San Francisco in the 90's still sounds like The Map we have grown to
love. But now they seem re-energized and focused. The change in line-up
has really helped bring out Josh's strengths as a song writer. The disc
starts off with "Breakfast at Ikea." The song begins with great melody
and has a smooth rhythm to it. The piano really adds a lot to the tune.
The title track "San Francisco in the 90's" is another comfortable jam
that slides along with a repeating guitar riff that sounds almost a
little too familiar. But Josh offsets that with his smooth vocals and
a definite determination that refuses to go unnoticed.

"The Art Of Living" is easily my favorite track. It has a nice comfortable
groove to it. It moves along so effortlessly. Making me wonder why Map has
flown under the radar for so long. They are a band that deserves to be
recognized and praised. "Rachel Dreams" is an instrumental closer. It has
this almost techo beat that lingers through out. It's a great way to close
things out.

If this album has a short-coming it's the fact that it's way too short.
The Ep barely clocks in over 15 minutes. But with that being said it
shouldn't detour you from checking it out. Map has really come into it's
own. It's time for them to really start to get recognized through out the
music industry.

For Fans Of: Ester Drang, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Verve, Starflyer 59,
Luxury, Blur, and Ghost Of The Russian Empire  

~ Anthony P. Hanna