Bryn Roberts and Lage Lund ‘Hide the Moon and the Stars’ BMR bryn-roberts.com; lagelund.com There is a tradition in jazz, however small, of pairing a top pianist with an equally talented guitarist. Bill Evans and Jim Hall may be the most widely heralded of these duos, but Bryn Roberts and Lage Lund are formidable contenders. […]
Album Review
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Album review: ‘Images: Music of Jeff Tyzik’
Eastman Wind Ensemble ‘Images: Music of Jeff Tyzik’ Summit Records esm.rochester.edu/ewe In recent years, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has seemingly performed compositions by Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik more consistently than that of any other composer. It’s for this reason that the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s album “Images: Music of Jeff Tyzik,” released in October, initially […]
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Album review: ‘Spellbound’
Jackson Cavalier ‘Spellbound’ Self-released jacksoncavalier.bandcamp.com Anyone who’s heard a live performance by Jackson Cavalier knows that iconic, riotous sound: the booming, makeshift suitcase-kick drum contraption; the unwieldy and battered acoustic guitar that riffs on blues and alt-folk themes; and Cavalier’s distinct howls and bellows that shape word for every introspective word. Recently released, “Spellbound” takes […]
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Album review: ‘Soul Passenger’
Soul Passenger ‘Soul Passenger’ Self-released soulpassenger.com Soul Passenger’s eponymous debut disc is so clean it squeaks. It’s a really straight-forward groove, with augmented jazz in spots to keep the listener guessing. Regardless, it’s a solid sender. More surprises come further down the track listing with the band’s stab at reggae on “Are You Satisfied.” And […]
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Album review: ‘Oblivious’
Pawner ‘Oblivious’ Self-released pawnerband.bandcamp.com Singer-songwriter Aidan Snyder’s band Pawner has been making its way through the local pop-punk scene since 2014. After surviving a number of lineup changes, Pawner is celebrating the release of its full-length debut album, "Oblivious." Many of the songs on "Oblivious" have poetic lyrics about love, but songs such as "Perfectly […]
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Album review: ‘Somnium’
Walrus Junction ‘Somnium’ Self-released facebook.com/WalrusJunction From the opening seconds of “Somnium,” the upbeat energy of the music clings to you like a welcome scent. Walrus Junction makes the kind of well-crafted, melodic rock that might be easy to discredit as pop pleansantries, but the subtle intelligence of the songs makes them hard to forget. With […]
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Album review: ‘Purblind’
Hinkley ‘Purblind’ Self-released hinkleysounds.com Hinkley’s latest, full-length offering, “Purblind,” is an enigmatic album that evokes the homespun warmth of folk and Americana without belonging to either genre. What we get instead are sophisticated rock songs featuring simple, charming vocal melodies and full, harmonic textures in the guitars and keyboards; Will Veeder’s voice frequently recalls that […]
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Album review: ‘Stax ’68: A Memphis Story’
Various Artists ‘Stax ’68: A Memphis Story’ Craft Recordings staxrecords.com When Elvis Costello was recording “Get Happy,” he writes, “I bought myself a stack of Stax singles.” No wonder; some of pop music’s greatest tunes originated at the Memphis label. “Stax ’68: A Memphis Story,” contains every single from 1968, with120 songs spanning five CD’s. […]
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Album review: ‘Subtle Disguise’
Joe Locke ‘Subtle Disguise’ Origin Records joelocke.com Anyone who has witnessed a performance by homegrown and world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Locke knows one thing: he does not stand still. The same can be said for his music. Every album brings a fresh group of musicians and unexpected turns. “Subtle Disguise” – featuring pianist Jim Ridl, bassist […]
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Album review: ‘Ennui’
Animal Sounds ‘Ennui’ Self-released animalsoundsband.bandcamp.com You could label Animal Sounds’ style as “indie rock,” but it’s a bit of a misnomer that sells the maturity of the music short. “Ennui” is a fun, but understated record, with the local five-piece band (featuring guitarist Shawn Brogan of Jon Lewis Band) riding the brake and not getting […]
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Album review: ‘American Record’
The Mighty High and Dry ‘American Record’ Interrupt Records themightyhighanddry.com With Rochester quartet The Mighty High and Dry, leader Alan Murphy has solidified his sound and distinctive point of view within the band’s musical framework. The songs on the band’s new six-cut recording “American Record” are unapologetic, with a profound ache at their core that […]
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Album review: ‘Long time comin’ ‘
Dirty Blanket ‘Long Time Comin’ ‘ Self-released dirtyblanketbluegrass.com. What began as an acoustic folk duo featuring guitarist Max “Dirty” Flansburg and singer/songwriter Kevin “Blanket” O’Leary in 2013 became a foot-stomping bluegrass quintet by the end of 2016. The original duo was augmented with longtime friends Richie Colf on mandolin, Joel Fedkiw on five-string banjo, and […]
