David Starobin

Virtuosi

Bridge, 2024

8/10

Listen to Virtuosi

The globally revered guitarist David Starobin pays tribute to 7 leading composers/guitarists from the past couple of centuries, and it results in meticulous and expressive interpretations.

Mauro Giuliani’s “Grande ouverture, Op. 61” starts the listen with warm and intricate guitar that’s both soft and cozy, yet quick, and “Menuetto (Presto) Op. 20: No. 10”, by W.T. Matiegka, follows with melodic and lifting guitar work that presents an upbeat disposition.

Deeper into the listen, “Caprice sur "La cachucha", Op. 13” showcases meticulous progressions via the Napoléon Coste original, while Giulio Regondi’s “Etude No. 5 in A Major” is a mesmerizing 2 minutes of finger acrobatics that showcase Starobin’s tremendous playing techniques.

“Five Anecdotes”, the final piece, unfolds with much beauty and sophistication populating the Andrés Segovia composition, and it touches on the heartstrings via the romantic gestures.

A body of work that’s tender, flexible and detailed, Starobin’s performance certainly does justice to these timeless pieces, and they sound better than ever here.

Travels well with: George Crumb- Complete Edition, Vol. 21; Mark Davidson- À la manière

The Lostines

Meet The Lostines

Gar Hole, 2024

8/10

Listen to Meet The Lostines

The first album from the songwriters Casey Jane-Kalgler and Camille Wind Weatherford, as The Lostines the duo pen old school country meets modern Americana that draws parallels to The Deslondes or Esther Rose.

“A Tear” starts the listen with the pair’s warm voices alongside a playful jangle and frisky percussion that carries a girl group appeal, and “Full Moon Night” follows with a distinct mood via the atmospheric keys and percussion.

Halfway through, “Come Back To My Arms” uses Jordan Odom’s swirling guitar and Gina Leslie’s fluid bass for the glowing intimacy, while “Southwest Texas” recruits fiddles from Kelli Jones and Joel Savoy that complement the call and response vocals of the nostalgic fun.

Further still, “Frankie & Eva” welcomes Peter J. Bowling’s viola, Thomas Bowling’s violin and Sam Hollier’s cello for the orchestral influence, and Sam Gelband’s voice is present on “Last Night”, where the final track brings a lullaby presence.

A very rich and retro debut that explores the golden age of rock’n’roll and is never short on reverb and lush harmonies, the record was laid down in New Orleans, their hometown, and comes with plenty of swampy flavor amid the sock hop fun.

Travels well with: Dougie Poole- The Rainbow Wheel Of Death; Riley Downing- Start It Over

Lucifer Was

Ein Fix Ferdig Mann

Apollon, 2024

8/10

Listen to Ein Fix Ferdig Mann

The 8th album from a Norwegian band who actually got started in the ‘70s, Lucifer Was make a prog-rock presence that embraces guitars and flutes, and these 9 diverse songs are full of energetic and raw elements.

“Frå Fyrste Dag” starts the listen, and brings soaring vocals to Arild Brøter’s hard hitting drums and calm versus dense moments, and “Ein Fix Ferdig Mann” allows Arne Martinussen’s swirling organ and Jon Ruder’s powerful vocals to guide the rich and soulful climate.

In the middle, “Når Natta Kjem Og Tek Meg” is a more intimate moment of pretty singing and mysterious songwriting, while “Eg Vil Ha Det Eg Vil Ha” showcases Thore Engen’s thick guitar amid the charged rhythm section for a symphonic rock formula.

Residing near the end, “Aftenbøn Til Dauden” brings the choir back for a theatrical performance, and “Kunsten Å Gjere Ingenting” exits with a distinct dreaminess, where Bjørn Malmåsen’s strategic bass adds much sophistication to the textured warmth.

A body of work that runs parallel to Arabs In Aspic, Popol Ace, Deep Purple or Jethro Tull, each track here brings different ideas to a classic/prog-rock experience you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Mesa Verde- All Is Well; Ribozyme- Celestial Low

Teresa Storch Band

Open Your Heart

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Open Your Heart

The guitarist and singer-songwriter Teresa Storch and guitarist/vocalist Peter Lacis explore their idea of a full band effort here, where plenty of esteemed artists join them for the heartfelt and sincere 12 songs.

The breezy melodies of “Things Will Get Better” opens with flowing guitars and Robbie Benson’s agile keys that complement the bright brass, and “Open Your Heart” follows with Travis Moberg’s skilled drums that suit the emotive singing and hint of ruggedness.

In the middle, “This Is The Time” showcases timeless and tuneful roots rock ideas, where Chad E. Mathis’ meticulous bass adds much via the dynamic landscape, while “Ballad of St. Francis” welcomes Eli Bishop’s strings to the sublime intimacy of the poetic delivery.

Further still, “It’s Not Okay” places Christopher Wright on drums and allows Storch’s diverse pipes to draw us in, and “Independence Reign” continues the sophistication with Bishop’s mandolin that gives the rich delivery a bluegrass nod.

A diverse outing that thematically touches on political division, social justice and the #MeToo movement, Storch and company use roots, Americana, country, folk and bluegrass to their advantage for a relevant, timeless listen.

Travels well with: Dana Cooper- The Ghost Of Tucumcari; Katie Oakes- Edge Of A Hurricane

Dana Cooper

The Ghost Of Tucumcari

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to The Ghost Of Tucumcari

The 32nd studio album(!) from the esteemed singer-songwriter Dana Cooper, there’s plenty of guests along for these thoughtful and soulful 11 tracks.

The soft and warm “Start The World Again” opens the listen with Libby Koch’s gorgeous vocals suiting the heartfelt climate, and the title track follows with Lyle Lovett adding his inimitable pipes alongside mature keys and vivid storytelling.

Deeper into the listen, the uplifting “What Is Love Waiting For?” welcomes Mando Saenz for the rich and harmonic album highlight, while “Falling Star” strums playfully, where an all star cast of Susan Gibson, Shake Russell, Hayes Carll and David Starr help cultivate timeless folk qualities.

Arriving near the end, the dreamy demeanor of “Beauty And Ruin” uses Saenz and Starr’s poetic contributions with much care, and “Needles To Say” exits with Lovett’s touching delivery that tugs on the heartstrings amid gentle guitar.

Cooper has enjoyed a 50+ year career, and his songwriting is as luminous as ever across these touching and memorable folk songs.

Travels well with: Tipps And Obermiller- MacGuffin; Katie Oates- Edge Of A Hurricane

Molly Miller Trio

The Ballad Of Hotspur

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to The Ballad Of Hotspur

The Los Angeles guitarist and songwriter Molly Miller returns with a 3rd album, where the title references Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 1, and the instrumental jazz songs have their roots back to Covid times.

“Cine” starts the listen with Jay Bellerose’s fluid drums complementing the warm guitar in the cozy climate, and “Blues To Greens” follows with a dreamy mood, where the soothing guitar is met with soft drums and Jennifer Condos’ agile bass.

Further along, “66 West” sparkles with glowing guitar amid the frisky drumming, while “Means To An End” focuses on the meticulous bass playing that comes with rhythm, soul and grooves that suit the adventurous album highlight.

Arriving near the, rich and detailed “In The Evening” lead gentle but it isn’t long until the trio’s dynamic interaction appears, and "West” exits with an upbeat formula of frisky guitar progressions, bouncy drums and playful bass lines that seem like they could soundtrack a day at the beach.

A diverse listen that incorporates surf rock, blues, country and funk, every moment here is unpredictable, charming and memorable.

Travels well with: The FBR- Ghost; Bonnie & Taylor Sims- Bonnie & Taylor Sims

Steve Carface

Familiar Traps

Bad Channels, 2024

9/10

Listen to Familiar Traps

Steve Carface is actually Cullen Gallagher, who also heads up the Brooklyn punks, Demoted. The 14 songs here don’t stray too far from his full band work, where brief, loud and raw punk comes with a youthful and energetic spirit.

“Too Soon To Say” starts the quick listen with pounding drums and searing guitar that would sound great following The Replacments’ “Fuck School”, and it isn’t long until the throbbing bass of “Nightcap” is met with softer singing amid a post-punk haze that gets abrasive at the end.

Further along, the 1 minute blast of “Blacking Out From Boredom” comes with a darker mood and biting vocals, though it’s the shimmering guitar and slight droning of “Void” that’s textured with mystery and warmth and alone is worth the price of admission.

“Corner Booth” and “Don’t Pick Up (pt. 2)” finish out the record, where the former is dense, powerful and even a bit sludgy, and the latter is 23 seconds of fuzzed out atmosphere.

A diverse body of work that can parallel hardcore punk from the early ‘80s, just as it can Fugazi’s late period work or even The Melvins, there’s so much greatness to be explored here.

Travels well with: Demoted- Shit For Brains; Seized Up- Modify The Sacred

R.Y.F.

Deep Dark Blue

Bronson, 2024

8/10

Listen to Deep Dark Blue

The brainchild of the Italian singer-songwriter and musician Francesca Morello, as R.Y.F. these songs display suffering and healing, where some excellent guests help flesh out the diverse climate.

“Blue” starts the listen with a stylish, pop mood, where the soulful vocals are met with buzzing synth and Moor Mother’s well timed voice, and “Lies” follows with no lack of beats that fuel the electro-pop flavor.

Further still, “Run Run Run” touches on post-punk, where the expressive pipes segue into a burst of animated and loud melodies, while “Violent Hopes” is a more intimate moment that showcases the power of Morello’s voice amid a haunting delivery.

Arriving near the end, “Sirene” is drenched in ambience, sounding almost like an underwater experience, and “Deep Dark” exits the listen with Alos on board for a closer shrouded in mystery, manipulated voices and an eerie backdrop.

A highly atypical record, the strategic use of electro-punk, alt-metal guitars bits and industrial like dirge that’s matched by singing that parallels Whitney Houston or Nina Simone keeps us enthralled from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Lovataraxx- Sophomore; Ella Ronen- The Girl With No Skin

Demoted

Shit For Brains

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Shit For Brains

A punk trio from Brooklyn, Cullen Gallagher, Phil Harrington and Chris Hopkins, i.e. Demoted, tear through 9 tunes of charged and diverse rock.

The buzzing and hard hitting “I Feel Like Shit” makes an impression in under a minute, where shouted vocals declares a sentiment that we can all relate to, and the razor sharp guitar of “Stare At The Walls” follows with the dense rhythm section emitting much melody.

“Twitching Eye”, the longest song and yet under 3 minutes, leads with a hint of atmosphere before a sludgy, powerful climate, while the lively bass of the title track creates a raw and thundering punk anthem that warrants leaping into a pit.

“Gulfax” and “Demoted” exit the listen, where the former is calm, intimate even, before short bursts of fury, and the latter is more throaty, as an early punk mood sets in, intensely.

Demoted consider themselves the laziest band in show business, since this was recorded in 2022 but only saw an official release recently, but you certainly wouldn’t think so based on these energetic and timeless punk tunes that sound as great today as they would have in ‘83.

Travels well with: The Drowns/Plizzken- 7”; Seized Up- Modify The Sacred

Various Artists

Modern American Percussion Concerti

Ravello, 2024

8/10

Listen to Modern American Percussion Concerti

The works of Maurice Wright, Steven Stucky and Evan Ziporyn are highlighted here by hundreds of performers and Lee Hinkle’s marimba, percussion and drums for the 3 involved pieces.

Wright’s “Concertpiece for Marimba and Orchestra” starts the listen with Hinkle’s glowing marimba alongside the Penn’s Woods Festival Orchestra’s flowing strings for a busy versus minimal display of sublime, thoughtful songwriting.

Landing in the middle, “Concerto for Percussion and Wind Orchestra”, by Stucky, allows for Hinkle’s adventurous percussion to complement the chilling, cinematic winds thanks to the University of Maryland Wind Orchestra’s meticulous performance.

The final track belongs to Ziporyn, where “Impulse Control (Concerto for Drum Set and Wind Ensemble)” is quite tense via the Penn State University Wind Ensemble’s dynamic interaction that suits Hinkle’s very animated drumming techniques.

Hinkle’s diverse skill set is quite exciting, and the collaboration with this trio of ensembles draws us in from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Jeff Sigfried/Sean Friar- Shades; David Therrien Brongo- Confluence

Them Coulee Boys

Die Happy

LoHi, 2019

8/10

Listen to Die Happy

A Wisconsin quartet with a penchant for bluegrass, folk and Americana sounds, Them Coulee Boys return with their best work yet on this incredible sounding 3rd album that was recorded at the legendary Pachyderm studios.

After the gentle acoustic sounds of the thoughtful, reflective “Pray You Don’t Get Lonely”, keys enter the cautious setting of “Hand Of God Pt. 1”, where vivid storytelling runs alongside sublime instrumentation.

Further on, “Find Your Muse” brings us raw folk fun with much intimate beauty, while the quick paced and busy “Die Happy” recruits a punchy spirit for one of the album’s best.

Primarily a listen of slow burning tunes. “Midnight Manifestos” emits a fuller display of warm rhythm and a memorable chorus, though the bare tunes near the end like “Evangelina” and the nearly a cappella “My Anxiety & Me” really illuminate the outfits ability to communicate, inspire and entertain in eloquent ways.

Though the album was recorded studio live, the strong chemistry between the players and skilled musicianship radiate a fluid, full sound as banjos and mandolins help illuminate the gritty yet beautifully textured environment.

Travels well with: Pert Near Sandstone- Out On A Spree; Trampled By Turtles- Wild Animals