Mathias Lattin

Up Next

VizzTone, 2023

9/10

Listen to Up Next

A rising talent from Houston, Mathias Lattin makes quite an impression with his debut at the VizzTone Label, where an all star cast joins him for 10 diverse and lively tracks.

Lattin’s extremely detailed guitar licks open up the warm “Who’s Been Loving On You”, where Shawn Allen’s keys complement the soulful mood, and “Lose Some Weight” follows with Nick Andreas’ thumping drums and Jesse Gomez’s animated bass amid the expressive singing from Lattin.

Deeper into the listen, Darrell Lavigne’s dancing piano and Lattin’s playful bass help make “You Know This Won’t Do” one of the album’s best, and Kyle Turner’s booming sax sure doesn’t hurt either, while “You Don’t Love Me No More” bounces and shakes with an infectious energy via Andrew Douglas’ upbeat organ and Lattin’s rhythmic guitar chops.

Near to the end, the rich and dynamic “After Party” allows Ross Fields’ rhythm guitar to shine alongside the firm drums and throbbing bass, and a live version of “Lose Some Weight” exits with the meticulous and powerful blues that benefits from excellent sound quality and an even better delivery.

An album of all originals, Lattin’s blues, jazz and funk sensibilities are are executed well, and it seems to me that he’s destined to be a monumental talent in the area of the blues.

Travels well with: Chickenbone Slim- Damn Good And Ready; Ben Levin- Take Your Time

Bob Margolin

Thanks

VizzTone, 2023

8/10

Listen to Thanks

The always impressive artist Bob Margolin celebrates 50 since he was added to the Muddy Waters Band, and he plays the same Gibson archop electric guitar that was use next to Muddy and The Band in the The Last Waltz.

“Going Down To Main Street” opens the listen with soulful keys and spirited guitar complementing Margolin’s rugged pipes in the raw blues climate, and “Shape I’m In” follows with warm guitar and bright singing that comes with plenty of Southern grit.

At the halfway point, “Lonely Man Blues” is full of intimacy in the heartfelt and timeless blues flavor, while “Hard Working Man” uses soft instrumentation and vivid storytelling to make an impression via Margolin’s genuine bluesy ideas.

“No Consolation” and “Just Before Dawn” exit the listen, where the former showcases Margolin’s distinct guitar playing and the latter carries a poetic quality with a reflective, easily accessible charm.

Margolin made every sound on this album except for a bark from his border collie, Levon, and it makes for a 5 decade journey that further solidifies his place as a first rate bluesman since his first recorded material in 1967.

Travels well with: Bob Corritore- High Rise Blues; Lucky Losers- Standin’ Pat

Afton Wolfe

The Harvest

Grandiflora, 2023

9/10

Listen to The Harvest

The Nashville artist Afton Wolfe brings in a handful of friends for this album of songs by L.H. Halliburton, where many genres are touched upon via his inimitable vision.

The title track opens the listen with Ilya Portnov’s warm harmonica and Seth Fox’s smooth flute adding a nice contrast to Wolfe’s gruff vocals, and “New Orleans Going Down” follows with Madison George’s fluid drums and Anthony Saddic’s strategic keys for the rugged blues delivery.

Halfway through, “Hello, Mr. Wolf” recruits spoken word and minimal instrumentation that includes Mark Robinson’s gentle guitar, while “Til The River No Longer Flows” is a thick album highlight that meshes Erik Mendez’s skilled bass and the dense keys amid Wolfe’s gritty singing. The last track, “Here To Stay”, doesn’t disappoint either, where the raw piano balladry is poetic, thoughtful and stirring in Wolfe’s heartfelt formula.

It’s hard not to think of Tom Waits when absorbing Wolfe’s gravelly pipes, and the folk, blues, gospel, Americana, jazz and country influences only enhance the power and lasting ability of this fantastic listen.

Travels well with: Keturah Allgood- Shine; The Burnt Pines- Don’t Look Down

Steven Gellman

All You Need

Hidden Poet, 2023

8/10

Listen to All You Need

The Maryland singer-songwriter Steven Gellman returns with his 10th album, where appearances from the Seldom Scene, Nina Gerber, Bonnie Rideout, and Cathy Fink & Marcy Maxer, among others, adds much to the modern folk songs.

“Wintering (A Life Well Lived)” opens the listen with swirling guitars and Gellman’s expressive voice that welcomes smooth harmonies and a rich climate, and “Just Like You, Just Like Me” follows with a fuller folk-rock presence that’s got rhythm to the warm delivery.

In the middle, the intimate “Song For A Friend” offers a dreamy moment of beauty and poeticism, while “By The Lake” is particularly luminous, where the reflective mood suits the gentle instrumentation and soothing vocal harmonies.

Elsewhere, the firm banjo of the atmospheric “The Bear Prince” adds plenty of bluegrass nods, and “All You Need” exits with Rideout’s stirring fiddle alongside Gellman’s pensive pipes that finishes the listen with much care.

Whether this is your first with Gellman or you’ve been following all along, you’re going to be impressed with his diverse version of folk sounds, where his genuine spirit is highly appreciated.

Travels well with: Ryan Wayne- Crow Amongst The Sparrows; Noah Zacharin- Points Of Light

Chris McKay And The Critical Darlings

Satisfactionista

Self-Released, 2023

8/10

Listen to Satisfactionista

Originally released in 2008, this classic album from the Athens rocker Chris McKay sees the reissue treatment with 5 bonus tracks, where his power-pop template proves that it’s aged quite well.

The dreamy, acoustic guitar fueled “An Uncertain Flight” opens the listen with Brad Morgan’s skilled drums complementing McKay’s mesmerizing guitar, and “The Only Way” follows with spirited rock’n’roll via the thicker guitars and Frank DeFreese’s agile bass making for a more rugged approach.

Further on into the disc, “Rage On” emits plenty of melody in it harmonic delivery that jangles playfully, while “From Now ‘Til Then” is an intimate moment of warm acoustic guitar and McKay’s sincere singing that touches on folk-rock.

Deeper yet, the bouncy “Wide Bicycle” flows amid a haze of retro-ideas that are rich and inviting, and “Something Unseen” exits the formal record with Mike Garson’s dense and meticulous piano that guides the thoughtful and emotive finish.

The bonus tracks are equally great, and include the hand clapping fun of “Best Case Scenario”, as well as the upbeat and infectious power-pop of “Feels Like Yesterday”.

A listen that touches on AM Gold radio sounds, McKay was dealing with serious health issues just before and during the recording of this album, but that didn’t stop the Georgia artist from penning an album that’s on par with much of the greatness from the Athens scene.

Travels well with: The Baseball Project- Grand Salami Time!; The Bad Ends- The Power And The Glory

Kodály

Háry János Suite

Naxos, 2023

8/10

Listen to Háry János Suite

JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic come together for these orchestral works of the Hungarian luminary Zoltán Kodály, where 3 involved pieces flow with meticulous interaction and timelessness.

“Háry János Suite” opens the listen with soft and intimate strings that flow with much grace, and the further segments emit bright percussion, tense bouts of soaring moments and, at the end, heartfelt and dreamy songwriting.

The 3 chapters of “Symphony In C Major” exit the listen, and they layer rich strings over a strong attention to mood and well timed horns that weave and out of melodic, cinematic ebbs of beauty and animated energy.

Faletta has already picked up a pair of Grammy Awards and there’s likely more on the horizon, too, as the prolific conductor is consistently making excellent work, as evidenced by this agile body of work.

Travels well with: Joann Falletta- Elfman-Hailstork Concertos; Florent Schmitt- La Tragédie de Salomé

Angela DeNiro With The Ron Aprea Big Band

Swingin’ With Legends 2

Early Autumn, 2023

9/10

Listen to Swingin’ With Legends 2

The inimitable vocalist Angela DeNiro is surrounded by some excellent company for this swingin’ good time, where legends like Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski and Lew Tabackin, plus many others, help her flesh out these love songs from the Great American Songbook.

The emotive and cozy “New York City Blues” starts the listen with DeNiro’s sensual voice, as Bryan Davis’ bright trumpet enters the animated climate, and “You’d Be So Easy To Love” follows with playful scatting amid Nathan Childers’ flowing clarinet that complements the lively energy.

Moving along, “It Might As Well Be Spring” allows for DeNiro’s expressive pipes to shine alongside Cecilia Coleman’s elegant piano and Tim Givens’ moody bass that suits the intimate versus energetic delivery, while “Two For The Road” is a stirring ballad that places Tabackin on flute for the heartfelt appeal.

Deeper still, “On Green Dolphin Street” swings with a dance floor ready demeanor that welcomes Todd Bashore’s alto sax skills amid the quick scatting, and “The Curtain Falls” exits with an absorbing, bare beauty that spotlights DeNiro’s stunning pipes and Jonathan Merle’s agile drumming.

A listen that embraces all the timeless qualities of Big Band sounds, but that can also retreat to minimal moments of vulnerability, DeNiro and company put an exciting fresh coat of paint on these classic songs.

Travels well with: Audrey Silver- Oklahoma; Masumi Ormandy- Beyond The Sea

Bernell Jones II

Typewriter

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to Typewriter

A Memphis native who now calls New York City home, the saxophone extraordinaire Bernell Jones II brings along plenty of friends for these 13 lively tracks that are full of fusion ideas.

The bright and soulful “Baby Mama” begins the listen with Miles Lennox’s warm keys and Josh Green’s cozy drums alongside soundbites from The Maury Povich Show, and “Fast Ish” follows with Steve Duran’s bouncy bass and Jones’ animated sax making for an infectious energy.

Further along, “Brand New” welcomes Jazmine James’ silky smooth vocals and Jonathan Muir-Cotton’s funky bass to the R&B nods, while “We Didn’t Ask For This” spotlights Christian DeMarco’s fluid electric guitar amid some dreamy bouts and plenty of stylish interaction.

Close to the end, “Kat” uses soothing vocal scatting and elegant sax, plus buzzing synth and strategic bass for the calming atmosphere, and “Gym Rat” exits with a quick blast of dense piano, lively sax and thumping drums that touches on rock nods before abruptly finishing.

Even though he was just 26 years old on this recording, Jones plays like a seasoned vet and even handles flute, electric piano, synthesizer, synth bass and vocals, too. He’s already worked with legends like Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Philip Harper, and at the rate he’s going, his gospel, jazz, blues, R&B and funk hybrid could make him a household name as well.

Travels well with: Funkwrench Blues- Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures; Emmett Goods- Another Level

Grant Gordy

Peripheral Visions

Self-Released, 2023

9/10

Listen to Peripheral Visions

The Brooklyn guitarist and composer Grant Gordy is joined by Alex Hargreaves, Dominick Leslie and Aidan O’Donnell for these 11 stylish and diverse songs that touch on bluegrass while still very much being a jazz album.

The extremely warm and dynamic “Bridge And Tunnel” opens the listen with Gordy’s fluid guitar being matched by Leslie’s very precise mandolin prowess, and “Espionage” follows with Hargreaves’ elegant violin manipulation adding much intrigue to the rich landscape.

In the middle, “Elegy For Tony Rice” comes with a strong emotional appeal thanks to the intimate strings, while “Cloud Of Witnesses” is packed with quick picking that illuminates much dexterity amid the adventurous delivery.

Nearing the end, the firm progressions of the textured, uniquely rhythmic “International Klein Blues” are hard to not appreciate, and the dreamy beauty of “To Ron” exits with much memorableness in its cozy and charming demeanor.

All the players here have excellent resumes, and their combined strength makes for a very creative, instrumental, jazz-grass hybrid that warrants many listens.

Travels well with: Jordan Tice- Motivational Speakeasy; Andy Hall- Squareneck Soul

Allison Au With The Migrations Ensemble

Migrations

Self-Released, 2023

9/10

Listen to Migrations

The saxophonist and composer Allison Au brings along plenty of help for these songs that explore why people move to new lands, and it makes eloquent use of words by the poets Emma LaRocque, Ruth Padel, Rae Marie Taylor, Duncan Mercredi, Chief Dan George, Langston Hughes and Wanda Coleman.

The rich ideas of the warm “Choice” opens the listen with articulate storytelling, animated strings and dreamy ideas, before Laila Biali’s playful scatting enters alongside Fabio Ranelli’s agile drumming and Au’s bright brass for the glorious “Prayer”.

The intimate sax and percussive ideas of “Aves Raras” lands in the middle and mesmerizes us with its soft melodies, while “Them” welcomes soothing wordless vocals amid the dense drums and glowing sax bouts of the album’s best.

Arriving near the end, “Migration” comes with soulful singing, stirring violin and Todd Pentney’s meticulous keys, and ‘I Dream A World” exits with absorbing cello from Amahl Arulanandam for the powerful and emotive finish.

In addition to Au’s inestimable playing, we’re treated to Michael Davidson’s well timed vibraphone, Jon Maharaj’s skilled bass and violins from Aline Homzy and Jeremy Potts. Together they make this 4th album from Au a highly memorable, chamber version of jazz.

Travels well with: Peripheral Vision- We’ve Got Nothing; Jesse Dietschi Trio- Gradient

Ocean Of Lotion

LouiLouiLoui

Apollon, 2023

8/10

Listen to LouiLouiLoui

A Norwegian outfit who are fully versed in synth-rock, Ocean Of Lotion returns with more lively anthems that might remind you of Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys or even newer outfits like Dobbeltgjenger.

The warm and soulful “Aphrodite” opens the listen with Bobby Lotion’s smooth pipes alongside the rapid fire drumming of the dreamy climate, and “Rejection” follows with an upbeat, dance-floor ready appeal of pop melodica.

The wonderfully titled “Cats In Space On Synthesizers” touches on post-punk ideas from decades past amid the dense beats, while “Skinny White Pants” takes a hint from Queen for the thumping, vibrant rock of the arena ready delivery.

“Crime Cruise” and “I Knew I Was In Love Again” exit the listen, where the former is a rich and dynamic burst of soaring synth-rock, and the latter finishes with an animated and emotive display of cautious yet playful artistry.

A listen that’s heavily indebted to ‘80s synth ideas, there’s plenty of alt-rock and art-rock to be appreciated, too, for this club ready soundtrack to a night you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Datarock- Media Consumption Pyramid; Heatwaves- Kappa

Sara Serpa & André Matos

Night Birds

Robalo, 2023

8/10

Listen to Night Birds

The vocalist Sara Serpa and guitarist André Matos come together with some friends for this unique jazz listen that blends beauty and mood with much skill.

“From A Distance” begins the listen with Dov Manski’s atmospheric synth complementing Matos’ sound manipulation that suits Serpa’s artistic singing, and “Carlos” follows with João Pereira’s well timed drums amid Serpa’s expressive delivery that’s elegant and minimal.

“Night Birds” lands in the middle, and uses Sofia Jernberg’s rich pipes in a bare, intimate delivery, while Okkyung Lee’s graceful cello contributions populate the warm spirit of “Degrowth”.

Deeper still, “Watching You Growth” welcomes Lourenco’s gorgeous vocals to sophisticated piano playing and agile percussion via Matos, and “Bagatelle, Op.6: Lento” exits with Serpa’s soothing, wordless vocals front and center for a mesmerizing finish.

It’s been 7 years since the duo released an album, and they certainly make the wait worth it, where sonically rich and hypnotic sounds are born from the pair’s inimitable formula of ambient jazz, folk, and experimental chamber nods.

Travels well with: Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra- Open Spaces- Folk Songs Reimagined; Aline Homzy- Éclipse

Trevor Weston/Dana Marsh/Washington Bach Consort

Myths Contested

Acis, 2023

8/10

Listen to Myths Contested

This first widespread recording from the Washington Bach Consort in 10+ years recruits plenty of vocalists for the classic J.S. Bach pieces, plus a new track from Trevor Weston.

“Geschwindet, ihr wirbelnden Winde” begins the listen with swift winds and much harmony, as the strings dance alongside the choir, and ““Und du bist doch” follows with Paul Max Tipton’s soaring bass baritone being especially expressive in the conversational climate.

Further into this portion, ““Zu Tanze, zu Sprunge” showcases Ian Pomerantz’s deep pipes amid the light string interaction, while the intimate “Phoebus, deine Melodei” benefits much from Jacob Perry Jr’s radiant tenor vocals that are complemented by a dreamy backdrop.

Moving into Weston’s “A New Song”, we’re treated to Sherezade Panthaki’s gorgeous singing and Sarah Davis Isaelkhoury’s smooth delivery that weave in and out of the cautious, meticulous songwriting that populates the 8 chapters.

A body of work that explores aesthetic value, culture and representation, the Bach portion certainly holds its own against the original, and Weston’s piece is superbly delivered and mesmerizing.

Travels well with: The Lord’s My Shepherd; Renée Anne Louprette- Bach: Clavier-Ubung III

Francis Segger/Charles Johnson/Jeremy Filsell

The Lord’s My Shepherd

Acis, 2023

8/10

Listen to The Lord’s My Shepherd

The chorister Francis Segger, trumpet player Charles Johnson and pianist and organist Jeremy Filsell bring their talents to this diverse listen that employs the Saint Thomas Choir School.

“Nunc Dimittis”, by Geoffrey Burgon, begins the listen with gorgeous singing and plenty of warmth, and it isn’t long until William Bradley Roberts’ “Little Lamb, who made thee?” recruits plenty of harmonic gestures amid the soothing keys of the expressive climate.

Landing in the middle, Ned Rorem’s “Organ Book II: Episode” pays close attention to mood via the rich keys, while “Light of the World”, by John Dankworth, uses the swirling keys with the poetic vocals for the album’s best.

Arriving near the end, the loud organ playing of the soaring “Scherzo”, a selection from Six Studies for Organ, by Alan Ridout, won’t go unnoticed with its firm presence, and C.H.H. Parry’s “Long since in Egypt’s plenteous land” exits with a stirring intimacy that’s immediately striking.

A listen with no lack of organ solos, the songs were captured at St. Thomas Church in New York, New York, and present much beauty to these time honored tracks.

Travels well with: Renée Anne Louprette- Bach: Clavier-Ubung III; Jasmine Barnes- Dreamer

Renée Anne Louprette

Bach: Clavier-Ubung III

Acis, 2023

8/10

Listen to Bach: Clavier-Ubung III

The concert organist Renée Anne Louprette brings her esteemed playing to these Bach pieces, where the complicated compositions are fleshed out with a universally embraceable demeanor.

“BWV 522/1 Praeludium pro Organo pleno” opens the listen with the bright tone and flowing keys making an indelible impression, and “BWV 669 Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit” follows with both intimacy and exploration populating the strong attention to mood.

Deeper into the listen, the dreamy spirit of “BWV 676 Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr” carries plenty of melody, while “BWV 682 Vater unser in Himmelreich” offers a rich landscape of technical and dense key manipulation.

Arriving near the end, “BWV 688 Jesus Christus, unser Heiland” swirls with incredible progressions that are nothing short of mesmerizing, and “BWV 552/2 Fuga pro Organo pleno” exits with booming and soaring organ prowess that few others could replicate.

Recorded at Christ Church (Episcopal) in Rochester, New York on August 1-2, 2017 and June 1-2, 2021, Louprette’s playing is top notch, as she does justice to this classic work.

Travels well with: Jasmine Barnes- Dreamer; Herschel Garfein- The Layers

Michael Mizrahi

Dreamspace

Sono Luminus, 2024

9/10

Listen to Dreamspace

The educator and pianist Michael Mizrahi encourages us to keep dreaming with these creative tracks that use strategically placed microphones to do justice to the 8 composers whose work is present.

“Fall Down Five Times Get Up Six”, by Andrea Mazzariello, opens the listen with the warm and flowing keys emitting much beauty thanks to Mizrahi’s careful progressions, and David Werfelmann’s “Suite á I’antique” follows with 5 chapters of dreamy, absorbing ideas that radiate a rare intimacy. Mark Dancigere’s “For Nightfall” then arrives, and it carries dense versus light approach of purposeful contrast.

Joanne Metcalf’s “The Understanding” arrives in the middle, and uses both mesmerizing, bright tones as well as lower registers for the cinematic delivery, while “The Red Devil Dreams Of Numbers”, an Evan Williams tune, is a swift, mysterious and sometimes haunting delivery of grace and poeticism.

The last 3 tracks don’t disappoint either, where Yiheng Yvonne Wu’s “Threaded Spaces” flirts with ominous nods amid the careful progressions, and Chiayu Hsu’s “Games” is a stunning tune of firm and meticulous key manipulation that few others could parallel. Alan Shockley’s “study (nightsong)” then exits with a bare but impactful 3 minutes of engaging minimalism.

All the pieces here are world premiere recordings, and the sonic innovation with microphone placement and Mizrahi’s flawless playing makes for a multi-perspective and unique listening experience that you can’t not admire.

Travels well with: Bruce Levingston- Without Words; James Adler- Reflections

James Adler

Reflections

Albany, 2024

9/10

Listen to Reflections

The globally revered pianist James Adler brings his agile fingers to these works by Claude Debussy, Henco Espag, Robert Schumann, Paul Turok and himself, and it makes for a heartfelt body of work via his appreciation for close friends, composers and the pieces that inspire him.

“A Curtis Reflection”, the lone original, opens the listen with Adler’s diverse playing that can be bright just as it can rumble in lower registers, where much melody and warmth is present, and Espag’s “Mistieke Feetjies ("Mystical Fairies")” follows with playful gestures and meticulous progressions in the lively climate.

In the middle, the bouncy “Little Suite For Piano, Op. 9” has Adler handling the instrument with swift, dynamic playing in the Turok track, while Debussy’s “Deux Arabesques” unfolds with 2 cautious chapters that can radiate with mystery, and also emit a calming intimacy.

The final installment is Schumann’s “Kinderszenen, Op. 15”, where both gentle and firm moments comprise the diverse sounds of the harmonic and rich exit of the albums best.

Adler cites this listen as “an image, a return of light or energy, a sign or result, even a thought”, and for those with an ear for piano music that focuses on classical ideas will be very much in awe.

Travels well with: Justin Holland- Guitar Works And Arrangements; Dana Kaufman- Emily & Sue

Jasmine Barnes

Dreamer

Acis, 2023

8/10

Listen to Dreamer

The Emmy award winning composer and revered vocalist Jasmine Barnes has her inimitable work performed by the Baltimore Choral Arts Society Chorus & Orchestra and Anthony Blake Clark, as these 2 in depth pieces were captured on May 29, 2022.

“Portraits: Douglass and Tubman”, by Barnes, occupies the first 6 movements, where the harmonizing voices are met with soaring strings and booming drums, and a very powerful and often animated delivery is much appreciated.

“Requiem, K. 626”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, follows, and Clark’s conducting skills guide the melodic instrumentation that allows the beauty of the choir to flow in and out of the cinematic swells.

The record was captured at Kraushaar Auditorium, at Goucher College, in Baltimore, Maryland, and it pairs an old work reimagined and a new work inspired by old words, where the early instruments shine in the timeless climate.

Travels well with: Georg Muffat- Apparatus Musico-Organisticus; Herschel Garfein- The Layers

Eric Whitacre

The Sacred Veil

Acis, 2023

9/10

Listen to The Sacred Veil

A Grammy winning American composer with a penchant for choral music, Eric Whitacre is aligned with The Choir of Trinity College, Melbourne, Polyphonic Voices, Rosanna Hunt, Rhodri Clarke and Christopher Watson for this story of courtship, love and grief.

The graceful keys of Clarke’s piano opens the listen with “The Veil Opens”, and the harmonizing voices from the choir follows with much emotion, and “In a Dark and Distant Year” continues with the lower vocals alongside the soaring sopranos of the dreamy climate.

Into the middle, the soft keys of “I’m Afraid” are met with strong attention to atmosphere via the sublime intimacy, while “Delicious Times” meshes beauty with vulnerability amid the stirring keys and layered vocals.

“You Rise, I Fall” and “Child Of Wonder” exit the listen, where the former floats with a haze of mesmerizing ideas and cautious vocals, and the latter injects the gripping cello from Hunt into the pensive, thoughtful conclusion.

The musicianship here is flawless, as is the singing, and it makes for a sensitive and harmonic experience that you’ll be very much in awe of.

Travels well with: George Muffat- Apparatus Musico-Organisticus; Herschel Garfein- The Layers

Nocturnal Blonde

Still Gushing

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Still Gushing

An Athens, Georgia outfit with a penchant for thoughtful, adventurous song craft, first and foremost the band exist to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic.

“Smart Heart” starts the album with pretty vocals from Rachel Adams in a musically sparse setting of tambourines and soft drums, and “Blown Away” follows with a soft mood that’s both melodic and mysterious in its charming ambience.

In the middle, “This House” offers calm strumming with a vocally smooth and musically dynamic display of intricate indie-rock, while “All Those Angels” trims the pace back with soaring pipes and a psyche influence that adds another dimension to the listen.

Near the end, “Scripted” recruits playful instrumentation and a more forceful rhythm section in the lush album highlight, and "Give In To The Flesh” unfolds from a slow burner into a charming indie-folk tune with strings. The title track ends the affair with dual gender vocals, folksy guitars and an elegant pop influence, again illustrating just how skilled this ensemble is.

A record that was penned by the driving force of the band, Richie Williams, his brother Dave also helped with songwriting duties that took place during the midst of Dave’s addiction that he survived, but not without permanent damage.

Yet another fine example of tragedy turned into great art, Nocturnal Blonde’s debut album is a hard one to pin down, bringing pieces of indie-rock, classic rock and folk sensibilities into its eclectic and meticulously delivered formula that carries on the grand tradition of superb music from Athens.

Travels well with: New Madrid- magentickingmagneticqueen; Dead Confederate- Sugar