REVIEWS BY JOE WAWRZYNIAK
 THE
ATLANTIC MANOR - Slow Drugs and Other Sorrows
(www.theatalanticmanor.com)
Nothing gets me down better and faster than the
latest album by determinedly obscure Florida-based
low-fi Do-It-Yourself underground indie singer/songwriter
supreme R. Sell. This guy rarely, if ever, comes
across like a happy camper. Instead R. Sell frequently
seems to be in a very deep and heavy morose funk
from which there is no easy escape. I mean this
all in a positive way. Nobody trudges through
basic human feelings of regret, sorrow, sadness,
and plain ol’ negative emotions with the
same arresting anguish or beautifully laconic
eloquence R. Sell brings to one hauntingly gloomy
song after another. The tempos usually crawl along
at a gradual clip. The beats are likewise pretty
slow and subdued. The arrangements are tight,
yet still tuneful and effective. Some of the songs,
like the brief, yet touching “Do You Still
Have a Heart,” are extremely short and to
the point. Other tracks such as “Bad News
for the New Scene” are impressively lengthy
and extensive sonic work-outs. Each and every
last song hits the poignant bull’s eye with
often striking results. Granted, this sure ain’t
the type of music to lift your spirits up when
you’re down, but damn does it have a way
of ringing around in your mind for hours after
you finish listening to it.
Rocky Mountain Low - The Colorado Musical Underground
of the Late 1970s (www.rockymountainlow.com)
You learn something new every day. Prior to
listening to this simply astonishing 31 song various
artists compilation, I had absolutely no idea
that Colorado had anything remotely resembling
an insanely rich, diverse and hoppin’ underground
punk music scene in the late 70s. Well, that particular
state sure had one hell of an amazing punk movement
goin’ down in the late 70's. The fiercely
crunchy’n’punchy tracks featured herein
offer everything you love about lowdown gritty
straight-up ballsy and sneering vintage punk:
snarly vocals, angry lyrics, churning basslines,
topical subject matter (Radio Pete’s poignant
“Jackie’s Song” deals with President
John F. Kennedy’s assassination), fabulously
raw’n’rippin’ guitar riffs,
snappy tempos, hard-grinding beats, and, most
importantly, a properly bitter and defiant “fuck
you!” attitude. Some of the songs are hysterically
irreverent (“Let’s Kill the President”
by the wonderfully named Dancing Assholes), others
neatly prefigure the 90's riot girl trend (the
jaunty “Hey Look” by the Guys, the
bitter “Always Better Than Me” by
the Profalactics), several rock out with galvanizing
go-for-it furious aplomb (the supremely savage
shredder “Sorority Girl” by the Dirty
Dogs), some songs are just plain strange (the
truly odd troika of “School Bus,”
“Cruisin’,” and “Obey
the Law” by the offbeat experimental outfit
the Healers), a few are incredibly catchy (the
rousing “All Cried Out” by the Immortal
Nightflames, the bouncy “Fun” by Lilly
Rose & the Thorns), all certainly smoke on
one way or another. Granted, the audio quality
of these recordings is very basic and rough around
the edges, but that kind of gloriously ragged
and scrappy unpolished stuff is what real punks
is all about, baby! A first-rate compilation.
 MILES
HUNT AND ERICA NOCKALLS - Catching More Than
We Miss (myspace.com/ theactualmileshunt)
Combining the sublime elegance of classical
music with the brisk energy and bracing immediacy
of pop-rock, the Brit-pop duo of Miles Hunt
(of The Wonderstuff) and Erica Nockalls deliver
eleven songs that captivate the listener with
a heady sonic cocktail of sharp, biting lyrics,
rich, complex and surprising arrangements, tart’n’tasty
tuneful melodies, and an overall crisp polish
that blends well with Hunt’s delightfully
snarky and sardonic sensibility. Hunt’s
smooth, yet snarly vocals are perfectly countered
by Nockalls’ exquisitely soaring strings
and sprightly piano. The lively tempos rarely
slow down for a second while the beats are properly
bouncy and constant. A supremely yummy and jaunty
treat.
HOPE MACHINE - Big Green (www.hopemachine.com)
A beautifully moving, low-key and melodic album
which delivers 12 songs worth of gently tuneful
and reflective folksy country, this baby makes
for a very pleasant and soothing listen. The
vocals offer lots of deliciously delicate harmonizing,
the arrangements are extremely dulcet and arresting,
the songwriting sharp and thoughtful, the tempos
subdued, yet steady, and the beats clop along
at a sweetly gradual rate. Best of all, there’s
a real heart and warmth at work in this music
that’s both affecting and admirable in
its disarming sincerity. The songs alternate
between nifty originals (the eminently hummable
“Clearwater,” the neatly buzzing
“Folk Singer”) and inspired covers
of such Woody Guthrie classics as “Pastures
of Plenty” and “Deportees.”
A simply lovely little jewel.
 JUKEBOX
ZEROS - Rock & Roll Ronin (www.jukeboxzeros.com)
Bursting forth from the speakers with six songs
worth of pure fast’n’snappy rock’n’roll
vigor, this EP CD sure does the trick in a pleasingly
punchy and rousing way. The vocals are robust
and enthusiastic, the guitar riffs ring loud
and true, the drums keep the beats big’n’bouncy
throughout, and the basslines whip things up
into a further galvanizing frenzy. What’s
not to like?
 DRIVE
A - Loss of Desire (www.myspace.com/drivea)
Nothing beats a fierce’n’dynamic
serving of pure straight-up dynamic and exciting
rock’n’roll done with plenty of
furious vitality and no needless pretense. Well,
this 12-song explosion of pure crunchy pow certainly
fits that particular bill somethin’ sweet.
The lively shouted raggedy-ass vocals, grinding
guitars, churning basslines, and relentless
steamrolling drums keep the snappy tempos and
pounding beats boppin’ away with considerable
spark and gusto from start to finish. There’s
a raw boundless energy and beefy “hell
yeah!” go-for-it swagger evident throughout
that’s a total pleasure to hear. A very
cool and enjoyable album.
MICHELE VREELAND - Never Not Myself (www.michelevreeland.com)
Offering up 7 songs worth of exquisitely bright,
catchy and tuneful sparkling pop/rock, this
EP CD immediately grabs the listener with its
beautifully crisp, ringing and melodic sound.
Better still, Michele Vreeland’s lovely
soaring voice and sharp sense of thoughtful
songwriting make for a formidable double whammy.
Whether it’s the uplifting self-assertion
of the wondrous “I’m a Person”
or the heart-wrenching angst of the punchy,
yet deeply affecting “Who I Am,”
each and every last song scores a bull’s
eye with spot-on touching and harmonic results.
A radiant little winner.
 JULIAN
PETERSON - Get On This Train (www.julianpeterson.com)
Kicking off to a rousing start with the awesomely
hard-diggin’ titular tune, this album really
pours on the sweet and soulful funk with a winning
blend of style and melodicism. Julian Peterson’s
passionate vocals and expert guitar playing make
for a potent double whammy. The songs alternate
between lively and exciting or more low-key and
reflective, but are constantly tuneful and spot-on
from start to finish. Moreover, there’s
a thoughtful sensibility at work throughout that’s
both touching and arresting in equal measure.
A very cool and satisfying album.
 JASON
LYTLE - Yours Truly, The Commuter (Epitaph.com)
Life is all about embarking on some kind of journey.
Jason Lytle certainly believes this. His debut
solo album takes the listener on a fascinating
trip through the wealth of triumphs and disappointments
that one will inevitably encounter on the road
of life. Armed with a pleasant voice, a sharp
sense of songwriting that can relate a story in
a nicely direct and involving way, and a firm
grasp of buzzing harmonic melodies, Lytle keeps
things constantly tuneful and compelling throughout.
“Brand New Sun” projects a heartening
sense of optimism, “It’s the Weekend”
offers a fun’n’fuzzy dynamic rock-out,
and “Here for Good” concludes things
on a hauntingly melancholy note. A nifty album.
SEAN BONES - Rings (Frenchkissrecords.com)
A neatly chugging blast of extremely funky,
yet mellow and soothing reggae, this album offers
11 tracks worth of pure infectiously easy’n’breezy
fun. Sean Sullivan’s pleasant voice and
cheerful personality make for a winning combination.
The tempos bump along at a gradual, yet steady
rate. The beats are similarly subdued, but still
bouncy and constant. The warm tropical Carribean
vibes projected throughout give this album an
extra engagingly kicked-back charm. A complete
delight.  COPESETIC
- The Keys EP (www.copeseticband.com)
This supremely soulful and tuneful five song pop-rock
EP CD immediately wins you over with its solid
and satisfying blend of eminently warm, complex
and hummable melodies, catchy, bubbly and intricate
arrangements, and bright and engaging three-part
vocal harmonies. The reflective and intelligent
songwriting and welcome feeling of genuine sensitivity
rate as additional substantial assets. Favorite
song: the impressively lengthy and funky-jammin’
sonic workout “Keys.” A nifty item.
 ANNABEL
- Each and Everyone (www.annabelohio.com)
A pleasingly mellow and melodic serving of thoughtful
and mature pop-rock, this album is sure to put
the listener in a relaxed and contemplative mood.
The vocals convey anguish in an effective but
never cloying or overwrought way, the songwriting
is impressively concise and articulate, the arrangements
spare and subdued, yet still tuneful, the tempos
chug along at a reasonable pace, and the beats
likewise move with a steady sense of purpose.
A nice little winner.  HUDSON
RAIL COMPANY (www.hudsonrailcompany.com)
Offering up six songs worth of neatly chugging
and harmonic straight-up rock’n’roll,
this album goes down smooth and easy thanks to
its engaging vocals, tight’n’tuneful
arrangements, and concise songwriting. “City
By the Ocean” starts things on a nicely
boppin’ note, “ Mystery Madonna”
turns on the fiercely burning funk with right-on
stirring results, “Superstar Tonight”
likewise rocks out somethin’ sweet, and
“Friend or Lover” kicks out the hard-charging
jams for a totally robust and rousing closer.
A nifty little EP CD.  SYNTHETIC
ELEMENTS - Trashed Out Paradise (www.myspace.com/
syntheticelelements)
A gloriously blunt and aggressive blast of jumped-up
fast’n’furious rock that cuts right
to the chase in a thrillingly dynamic and exciting
matter, this album makes 28 minutes breeze by
at a breakneck clip. The shouted vocals are neatly
offset by fiercely ringing guitars, sturdy drums,
and chugging basslines that rarely let up for
a second. This is the type of music that makes
you wanna pump your fist in the air and holler
at the top of your lungs. I mean this as a good
thing.  DRUG
RUG - Paint the Fence Invisible (blackandgreenerecords.com)
Delivering eleven tracks worth of lively, catchy
and rousing pop-rock exuberance, this album certainly
does the trick in a pleasingly brisk and punchy
way. The spirited vocals convey an utterly engaging
sense of joy and vigor, the arrangements are quite
dynamic and harmonic, the tempos bounce along
at a snappy rate, and the beats roll by with comparable
jaunty aplomb. Best of all, the incredibly infectious
mix of pure go-for-it energy and enthusiasm rarely
let’s up for a minute. A really fun blast
of an album.
 MARY
BRAGG - Sugar (www.marybragg.com)
Soft and gentle, lovely and lulling, as delicate
and endearing as a fawn, this simply beautiful
album of warm and melodic folk-pop quietly wins
the listener over with its arresting sense of
graceful harmony and wistful reflectivity. Mary
Bragg’s gorgeous, soaring voice and smart,
thoughtful songwriting make for a strong and effective
double act. The arrangements are spare and subdued,
yet still rich and tuneful. Better still, there’s
a refreshing feeling of maturity and introspection
which adds to the considerable power and poignancy
of the music. For the most part Mary keeps things
mellow and reserved, although she does perk up
and kick out the swinging jams on the marvelously
bluesy “The Paper Chase.” A sweet
and delectable jewel.
CORY CASE - Waiting on a Remedy (www.corycase)
Singer/songwriter Cory Case delivers a perfectly
pleasant serving of charming country-folk songs
on this neatly low-key album. Starting off with
the gently lulling “Father Time,”
Case comes through with a steady succession of
bubbly and upbeat tunes that combined delicately
harmonic melodies with an engagingly positive
sensibility. Case’s reedy, nasal voice projects
well without ever resorting to needless show-off
histrionics and his songwriting remains concise,
thoughtful and literate throughout. Favorite song:
The terrifically gritty and bluesy full-bore rocker
“Lab Rats.” A delightfully spare and
understated lo-fi winner.
 ST.
SAT B - Captain John Braves the Mighty Raritan!
(http://stsatb.com)
Hey you? Yeah, you, pal. Ya wanna hear something
fresh and different? Something novel and imaginative?
Something that radically deviates from the norm
and boldly treads its own gloriously idiosyncratic
path towards pure sonic bliss and invention? Well,
then this here be just the album for you. From
the quivery vocals to the wonky, yet tuneful arrangements
to the alternately mellow and subdued or more
manic and exciting songs, there’s nothing
remotely trite, mundane, or straight-down-the-line
formulaic about the often imaginative and always
invigorating music contained herein. For those
with a taste for the quirky and distinctive, this
album will most certainly fit that particular
bill.
 STRAW
DOGS - Love and Then Hope (www.strawdogs.com)
Bouncy and upbeat, with a strong emphasis on harmonic
melodies and touching introspection, this album
is sure to whisk the listener away to a pleasant
and comforting place as it unfolds on the CD player.
The lead vocals are smooth and reassuring, the
tempos gradual, yet steady, the beats likewise
subdued, but persistent, the arrangements crisp
and tuneful, the songwriting nicely concise and
thoughtful. This is just the kind of album I want
to hear after a typically hard and grueling day
at work: warm, folksy, and soothing, it’s
the ideal little platter to give a spin whenever
you’re in need of something to just kick
back and relax to.
 SUPER
SATELLITES (www.supersatellite.org)
Offering up ten songs worth of groovy-jammin’
coolness, this album immediately wins the listener
over with its tasty blend of exuberant vocals,
tart lyrics, snappy and tuneful melodies, and
lively, harmonic arrangements. There’s a
real bounciness and sense of total go-for-it joy
evident throughout which makes this album a total
treat to hear. It’s genuinely refreshing
to hear an album with a cheerful and upbeat sensibility
to it that never once comes across as overly cutesy
or sappy; instead the happy vibe this album radiates
in every last gloriously giddy note sounds sincere
and endearing. A complete delight.
 THE
REDS - Early Nothing (www.TheRedsMusic.com)
Right from the opening sensationally sleazy slow-grinding
song “Big Boy,” this album filled
my imagination with tantalizing trashy images
of a smoky and sordid biker bar with half-naked
women in skimpy black leather lewdly cavorting
on stage while the rowdy regulars booze it up
and brawl with each other to the wee hours of
the morning. All the right lowdown scuzzy ingredients
for a prime rattling blast of first-rate junk
rock are present and accounted for: Sneering sub-Mick
Jaggeresque vocals, slinky, slithering tempos,
hard-diggin’ guitar riffs, relentless steamroller
drums, fiercely hip’n’rippin’
zoned-to-the-funky-bone heavy keyboards, deep,
thick, lingering bone-quaking grooves, deliciously
tawdry subject matter, and absolutely no needless
artsy-fartsy pretense to get in the way of the
divinely dingy and dirty straight-up no-bullshit
fun. A splendid slab of inspired grungy spew.
THE HANDSOME FAMILY - Honey Moon (www.handsomefamily.com)
Brett and Rennie Sparks are
without a doubt one of the most quirky, distinctive
and original duos in the annals of offbeat alternative
country folk music. For starters, Brett and
Rennie possess very nice and melodious voices,
with Brett’s deep twangy rumble neatly
contrasting with Rennie’s lovely delicate
soprano. Next there’s the pair’s
firm and unwavering grasp of simple, yet captivating
buzzing melodies. The duo’s beautifully
plainspoken and insightful songwriting likewise
does the straightforward trick. Plus they do
that dark and despairing high lonesome mournful
and regretful down-in-the-dumps country thing
with exquisite grace and subtlety. The spare
arrangements possess a fragile and tuneful timeless
quality that’s an ethereal joy to hear.
A simply splendid jewel of an album.
 ELIZABETH
& THE CATAPULT - Taller Children (www.elizabethandthecatapult.com)
A refreshingly smart and tuneful breath of appealing
pop-rock air, this album immediately wins the
listener over with its tasty blend of bouncy melodies,
expressive vocals, and sparkling arrangements.
Elizabeth Abby Lynn Ziman’s charming voice
delivers a delightful mix of spark and warmth.
The kickin’ drums and springy guitars keep
things lively and thrilling throughout. Better
yet, the lyrics are quite sharp and witty, with
a fine line in quirky reflectivity. The songs
alternate between low-key and thoughtful ballads
and more dynamic full-bore rockers with always
arresting and often affecting results. An absolute
treat.
 THE
PAPER CHASE - Someday This Could Be All Yours
Vol. 1 (www.killtherockstars.com)
Raw and rickety, totally bereft of any traditional
sense of song structure and slick Top 40 radio
friendly hooks, this sure ain’t your run-of-the-mill
generic pop-rock album. Instead it’s a gloriously
fresh, original and wildly imaginative one-of-a-kind
oddity that’s both stirring and surprising
in equal measure. The vocals are appropriately
ragged and intense. The arrangements are likewise
pretty kooky, with cutting guitars, wonky pianos,
fiercely persistent drums, and shivery violins
swirling and whirling about in a frenzied sonic
storm of bracing cacophony and startling melodicism.
The fact that all of the arresting songs are about
natural disasters adds an extra sense of strangeness
to the already offbeat proceedings. A deliciously
idiosyncratic marvel.
 FERAL
CHILDREN - Second to the Last Frontier (www.feralchildrenmusic.com)
A fabulously manic and rumbling slab of hard-charging
rock’n’roll fury, this album goes
straight for the jugular and tears out your
throat with a teeth-gnashing ferocity that’s
truly something to hear. The howling vocals
roar and scream over a seething sonic onslaught
of fiercely cutting guitars, burning’n’churning
basslines, and jackhammer drums that never let
up for a minute. There’s a deeply felt
sense of boiling rage and intense angst evident
throughout that gives this music an extra bite
and resonance that’s impossible to ignore.
A highly satisfying beaut.
DSC - We’re the Drug Store Cowboys (www.thedsc.net)
Exploding forth from the speakers with a spiky
fury and aggressive energy that just joyfully
screams “total straight-up rock’n’roll
with no flash or pretense, motherfuckers!,”
this album certain hits the savagely satisfying
spot something fierce. All the right gnarly’n’nasty
stuff is present and accounted for: ferocious
snarly shouted vocals, machinegun bursts of
ripping guitars, relentless steamroller drums,
burning basslines, and harsh, profane, meaner-than-a-rabid-pitbull
lyrics. The piledriving beats and constant speedy
tempos keep the music appropriately raw, gritty
and exciting throughout. A pleasingly tough
and hard-edged winner.
 EDEN
STAR - Skin (www.edenstarmusic.com)
Working a fast, punchy and supremely thrilling
bump’n’grind groove for all its
worth, this six song EP CD seriously smokes
in no uncertain terms . The lively shouted vocals
cut loose with vigorous go-for-it abandon while
the fiercely rippin’ guitars, seething
basslines, and unrelenting steamroller drums
keep the music ferociously raw, gritty and dynamic
throughout. This is the type of savagely exciting
music that pulls no punches and takes no prisoners
in its tough and aggressive pursuit of pure
hard-rockin’ fun. Accolades don’t
come any better than that.
 CANADIAN
INVASION - Three Cheers for the Invisible Hand
(www.canadianinvasion.org)
Artfully combining catchy melodies with pointed
and biting lyrics, this deceptively merry and
frothy album offers a fiercely barbed and amusing
satirical critique of the pointless shallowness
of average suburbanite existence. The perky vocals
and sunny arrangements project a sense of artificial
happiness that seems like it’s on the cusp
of breaking at any given moment: Such grim subjects
as alcoholism, murder, infidelity, and lack of
faith in organized religion are all tacked head-on
in a hilariously nasty manner. A deliciously dark
and deadpan serving of acid that’s given
an extra kick by being done with a certain sneaky
blend of joy and sweetness, this album makes for
an often savagely funny and always enjoyable listening
experience.
 MATTEAH
BAIM - Laughing Boy (www.myspace.com/matteahbaim)
I listened to this album on the tail end of another
bad day. My TV set broke, so I had to go out and
buy a new one. Plus I had to drop my car off at
the mechanic’s to fix an oil leak. So I
decided to give this album a whirl in my CD player
to get a load off and forget my troubles for a
while. Matteah Baim’s soft, soothing voice
and hypnotic chanted vocals automatically put
my mind at ease. The beautifully rich and gently
buzzing melodies likewise calmed my previously
frazzled nerves. The harmonic arrangements keep
things subdued, yet still constantly chugging
along throughout. I listened to this gorgeously
elegant and enchanting album at a stressful time
when I really needed some relief, but music this
lovely, tuneful and mesmerizing sounds great and
uplifting regardless of the mood you might be
in when you hear it. Accolades don’t come
any better than that.
DOMENICK CARINO - The Only Thing That Comes
To Mind Are Songs About Us (www.myspace.com/domenickcarino)
Soft and melodic, gentle and lulling, this six
song CD EP deftly mines a sweet and careful line
in achingly fragile and tuneful introspective
music. Domenick Carino’s reedy voice, skillful
acoustic guitar playing, and thoughtful songwriting
all possess a certain pleasant charm. The songs
are all harmonic and affecting, with the lovely
opening track “Still,” the engagingly
laid-back “Alabama,” and the touching
closing number “Delicate” rating as
the definite highlights. A sound and moving little
jewel.
 BENJAMIN
BEAR - Lungs (www.myspace.com/bejaminbearmusic)
This Seattle, Washington duo come through with
a lovely, moving and melodic pop-rock album that’s
chock full of passionate vocals, tuneful arrangements,
and thoughtful, intelligent and refreshingly mature
songwriting. The striking opening song “Station
Rest Release” sets the tone for the strong
and arresting sonic urgency and immediacy to come:
Expressive singing offset by sturdy pianos, persistent
drums, relentless beats, and charging tempos that
all build and gain momentum as they eventually
form together into startling crescendos. This
the type of bold, fiery and dramatic music that
one doesn’t hear so much as feel; there’s
an energetic and incendiary outpouring of emotions
unleashed throughout that ultimately adds up to
one hell of a powerful listening experience. Terrific
stuff.
GENE DANTE AND THE FUTURE STARLETS - The Romantic
Lead (www.genedante.com)
Erupting from the speakers like a sudden sonic
boom of dynamic and exciting musical joy and passion,
this album rocks out in a very lively, rousing
and captivating way. Gene Dante’s strong
and emotive vocals carry the day with considerable
charm and gusto to spare. Moreover, the groovy
arrangements boast more than enough chugging basslines,
persistent drum beats, and neatly riffin’
guitar licks to keep your toes tapping and fingers
snapping throughout. Plus the lyrics are quite
sharp and witty, which certainly doesn’t
hurt matters in the least. A seriously cool and
enjoyable album.
 WILKINS
- No Expiry Date (www.myspace.com/musicwilkins)
Okay, we all the drill by now. Friday night. Worst
night at work. Got vacation starting the next
day for a full week. And, wouldn’t you know
it, I almost didn’t get out on time. Had
to scurry something fierce to get everything done
by nine o’clock and get home so I could
start enjoying some well deserved rest. Naturally,
I was more than a little crabby when I got home.
But then I put this wonderfully warm, tuneful
and soothing pop-folk album in the CD player and
gave it a whirl. I got totally caught up in the
lovely swirling melodies, the beautifully serene
and soaring vocals, and smart and insightful songwriting.
The gentle ebb and flow of the tempos and the
soft, yet steady beats likewise took me up and
away into a much better and nicer place where
I could forget all about my troubles. And that’s
exactly the sort of thing the best, most substantial
and meaningful music is supposed to do.
HANDS - The Sounds of Earth (www.myspace.com/wearehands)
Wafting out of the speakers with an inspired and
invigorating blend of energy, passion and intelligence
that’s truly something to hear, this smooth-rocking
album certainly hits the punchy, yet still melodic
spot with often exciting and always impressive
results. The powerhouse drums lay down a mighty
pulverizing beat while the churning basslines
and rippin’ guitars keep things strong,
tuneful and thrilling throughout. The rich and
expressive growly vocals likewise seriously smoke.
Better still, the lyrics are surprisingly profound
and thoughtful. This album offers the listener
plenty of tasty meat to chew on in both visceral
and emotional terms, thereby making it a true
work of sonic art to be praised and relished.
 LAURA
CHEADLE - Live On (www.lauracheadle.com)
Getting off to a rousing start with the lively
and exciting “Constantly,” this album
offers one delightfully snappy, thrilling and
spot-on pop-rock song after another. Laura Cheadle’s
wonderfully warm, husky and robust full-throated
voice belts out the thoughtful lyrics with infectiously
hearty aplomb. The arrangements are crisp and
tuneful, with the steady drums, equally sturdy
basslines, and buzzing guitars keeping the music
rich, catchy, funky, and flavorsome throughout.
The songs neatly alternate between touching and
subdued introspection (the moving “Answer
Within Me,” the neatly bumping “In
the AM”) and more energetic rock-outs (the
smooth-grooving blast “Funk is Dead,”
the punchy raver “Whatever Moves You”)
with always pleasing and often uplifting results.
A very cool and worthwhile album.
 CHRIS
SKEL AND THE ORIGINAL SINS - How Many Nails
Does a Coffin Need (www.chris-skel.com)
Lively, punchy and melodic, this ten song album
blissfully rocks out with always compelling
and occasionally touching results. Chris Skel’s
vocals neatly alternate between a soft, plaintive
moan and a full-throated go-for-it holler while
his songwriting mines a moving line in bittersweet
regret and reflection. Some of the songs are
slow and subdued (the affecting opening tune
“Wither,” the lovely “Find
You in My Dreams”), most are more energetic
and hard-rocking (the rousing “Once Upon
a Time,” the fiercely crankin’ “Another
Broken Morning”), all are quite strong
and impressive. A pleasingly varied and enjoyable
album.
THE MOORE BROTHERS - Aptos (www.themoorebros.com)
This singer/songwriter sibling duo deliver
a very catchy, tuneful and captivating acoustic
pop album full of charming and quirky songs.
With their pleasant vocal harmonies, keen ear
for offbeat lyrics , equally sharp eye for oddball
little details, refreshingly upbeat attitude,
and strong grasp of pretty and simple folkie
melodies, the Moore Brothers never put down
a wrong foot throughout the course of this lovely,
sunny, and utterly endearing delight. Best of
all, there’s a beautiful radiance and
sweet innocence which permeates every last gloriously
delicate note. A real treat.
 HRNY
WRMS (www.myspace.com/hrnywrms)
Offering up a perfectly punchy’n’crunchy
outburst of pleasingly dynamic indie rock, this
album certainly hits the rousing and melodic
sonic spot something nice. The ripping guitars
tear and shred with fierce precision, the drums
lay down a heavy steamrolling beat, and the
churning basslines supply a gritty undertow
to the snappy forward-ho tempos. The lively
shouted vocals and concise lyrics are likewise
up to snuff. Best of all, at a tight 28 minutes
this album keeps things short’n’sweet
and never overstays its welcome. A nifty little
item.
ROBBERS - Flesh (www.unicronslife.com)
Slapping a simple label on this extremely eclectic,
ambitious, and often interesting six song EP
CD is difficult to impossible. It’s way
too intricate and melodic to be hard rock. It’s
certainly too offbeat and experimental to be
dismissed as generic pop. It’s definitely
edgy and intense enough to be categorized as
the sprawling catch-all term “alternative,”
but that particular word has long since lost
whatever relevant meaning it might have once
possessed due to excessive overuse. So what
the hell do we call this marvelously quirky,
compelling, and even frequently hypnotic out-of-the-ordinary
music? I’d say let’s just describe
it as fresh, inspired and different music for
those with a taste for something special and
unique and leave it at that.
 JON
CASPI - Eddie Knows! (www.JonCaspi.com)
Here’s a fresh, original and interesting
premise for an album: An epic story about a
guy named Eddie and the various hardships, triumphs,
disappointments and achievements he experiences
throughout his life. Each song tells a chapter
in Eddie’s life. Jon Caspi writes the
songs with exceptional acuity and vividness
that ultimately adds up to an impressively large,
complex and even poignant whole. Moreover, Caspi
tackles vocal chores with exceptional flair
and passion, plus plays a pretty mean guitar.
Better still, the arrangements are extremely
catchy, tuneful and dynamic, creating a full,
rich, booming and soaring sound that’s
as big, stirring and dramatic as life itself.
An excellent and affecting work of rock art.
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