RoarShark “… It Came From Lake Ontario” Self-released roarshark.com If you don’t include the three-eyed-fish-inhabited, film-developing waters of Lake Ontario, then let’s face it, Rochester is hopelessly land-locked. But for some reason, this town has an inordinately high number of surf bands. At the top of the pile is RoarShark and its new album “… […]
Album Review
Posted inMusic
Album Review: ‘Miss Leading, Phil and the Danish Wedge’
The Chinchillas “Miss Leading, Phil and the Danish Wedge” Jargon Records facebook.com/thechinchillasrochester It feels like I grew up on The Chinchillas, Rochester rock ‘n’ roll’s answer to the Swiss Army Knife. The boys have shown up again with a brand new one, “Miss Leading, Phil and the Danish Wedge.” I swear they just had a […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Follow’
Grand Canyon Rescue Episode “Follow” White Mule Records grandcanyonrescueepisode.com There’s a slight difference in how we enjoy hometown homeboys Grand Canyon Rescue Episode and how the Rochester quintet is actually playing. You’d think this band is easy going with its countrified barroom rock ‘n’ roll lope. But I’m here to tell you, beneath this calm […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘House of Healing’
Heather Taylor “House of Healing” Self-released heathertaylormusic.com Heather Taylor’s “House of Healing” opens like summer’s dawn with a dramatic, flashy flute flourish that hands off the baton to the woman’s mighty voice. It’s a voice that is full of smoky tone and magnetic, hypnotic vibrato. There’s just something fascinating about a voice like this that […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: “Ashes of man”
Fox 45 Twin Earth Records fox45.bandcamp.com Opening with an epic stoner metal grind and groove, the gals in Fox 45 are back in black with album numero dos, “Ashes of Man.” Musically, it’s a hard and heavy head-bang. Lyrically, it preaches a hopeless gospel that rides above the quartet’s relentless, mid- tempo drive — a […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: “1954”
Ricardo Grilli Tone Rogue Records ricardogrilli.com The title of guitarist Ricardo Grilli’s new album, “1954,” may cause you to anticipate a tribute to the greatest generation of jazz players. While some measure of that is inevitable on a CD by an excellent musician and his supporting players — Aaron Parks on piano; Joe Martin, bass; […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: “Way Back Home”
Steve Gadd Band BFM Jazz drstevegadd.com Near the end of the title track of the new album by the Steve Gadd Band, Gadd takes a knock-your-socks-off drum solo that brings the house down. The album, subtitled “Live from Rochester, NY,” was recorded at the 2015 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, and it’s far more than […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: “Spirit Forward”
Michael Blanco Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records blancobass.com Bassists don’t always get to step into the spotlight, so you may not have heard of Michael Blanco. Since moving to New York in 2000, he has performed with dozens of top jazz musicians, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Blanco has been in the pit […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: “Toys”
Burn It Up “Toys” Self-released burnitup.bandcamp.com Burn It Up burns it down on “Toys,” the band’s new beaucoup bombastic blast of rock ‘n’ roll. I mean, holy shit, the energy on this 10-song album is berserk. The ska lurking within Burn It Up’s previous incarnation, Mrs. Skannotto, has shifted to the afterburner — not an […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: “No Candy”
The Vine Brothers “No Candy” Self-released thevinebrothers.com What New York City-based bluegrass trio The Vine Brothers lacks in volume, it makes up in tangible joy on its new eight-song outing, “No Candy.” That’s not to say they can’t raise hell, but the power of this band is in its subtlety and the air breathing between […]
Posted inMusic
ALBUM REVIEW: “Broken Switches”
Pawner “Broken Switches” Self-released pawnerband.bandcamp.com Sure, everyone digs a dynamic album that builds as it unfolds. Then again, sometimes you just want your rock ‘n’ roll exploding out of the gate and in your grill. Well then, you need Pawner. Pawner’s new six-song salvo, “Broken Switches,” is an album that has a classic and dynamic […]
Posted inMusic
ALBUM REVIEW: “Groovin’ Saloonatics”
Groovin’ Saloonatics “Groovin’ Saloonatics” Self-released facebook.com/groovinsaloonatics I wasn’t there when Groovin’ Saloonatics recorded this CD at Green Room Studios, but the band sounds stoned. The band’s new CD is a laid back outing for what looks to me like an all-star collaboration. Cats like Mick Sarubbi, Don “Anonymous” Blair, and Ricky Dodge, to name a […]
