Katie Jones ‘Take Care of My Love’ Self-released katiejones.bandcamp.com Katie Jones’s new album, “Take Care of My Love,” is a study in patience between its analog recording and the digital work that went in afterwards to complete it, as well as patience with the rural strain that envelops the listener. “Take Care of My Love” […]
Album Review
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Album review: ‘Panama Sessions’
John Weyl ‘Panama Sessions’ Self-released johnweylmusic.com John Weyl is a talented singer-guitarist and leader of the local blues trio Deep Blue Band. Influenced by the jazz and Latin music he heard while playing solo gigs in Panama every winter, Weyl decided to make an instrumental guitar album. Joined by bassist Ted Johansen, drummer Eric Metzgar, […]
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Album review: ‘Evil Hearted You’
Evil Hearted You ‘Evil Hearted You’ Self-released evilheartedyouu.bandcamp.com Singer-songwriter Amber Tracy has had a haunting effect on audiences around Rochester since 2017. On her solo project’s self-titled debut album, "Evil Hearted You," Tracy paints a sepia-toned reflection of her deepest, darkest self by mixing elements of indie pop with roots, country, and psychedelic rock. Tracy […]
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Album review: ‘American Rapture’
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra ‘American Rapture’ Azica Records azica.com; rpo.org The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s new album “American Rapture” highlights the most intriguing components of the RPO’s musical identity in the Ward Stare era. Five seasons into Stare’s tenure as music director, the RPO has been at its most compelling when it expresses admiration for crucial 20th-century […]
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Album review: ‘Bloody Rubbish’
Ray Paul ‘Bloody Rubbish’ Kool Kat Musik koolkatmusik.com Ray Paul is the pope of power pop. And the Rochester garage rocker has a new record, “Bloody Rubbish.” This album has tracks from a couple different decades, as well as some live tracks. Regardless, “Bloody Rubbish” is bloody rockin’ — like Cheap Trick’s “In Color” era, […]
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Album review: ‘Dreams on Hold’
Sarah Eide ‘Dreams on Hold’ Self-released saraheide.com Singer-songwriter Sarah Eide’s new album “Dreams on Hold” poetically reflects the trials and tribulations of being a woman in modern society. Influenced by her classical roots and the wonder of nature, Eide blends elements of pop, blues, roots, soul, and gospel to create an enthralling Americana storybook. Her […]
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Album review: ‘Taller Hearts Will Prevail’
Trevor Courneen ‘Taller Hearts Will Prevail’ Self-released trevorcourneen.bandcamp.com Out on May 7, former Rochesterian Trevor Courneen’s new full-length album “Taller Hearts Will Prevail” is steeped in lo-fi, 90’s-tinged indie rock. Mixed and mastered by Courneen’s long-time recording collaborator Ben Morey, the music has real polish. And while the album’s nine tracks provide a comfy soundscape […]
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Album review: ‘Things I Remember from Earth’
Maybird ‘Things I Remember from Earth’ 30th Century Records maybird.bandcamp.com Here’s another dose of that psychedelic pop from Maybird, with nods to emo and indie. The self-production on the new, 10-song disc “Things I Remember from Earth” has the band draped in a layered sonic tapestry throughout, though it doesn’t repeat itself. Each tune seems […]
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Album review: ‘Future Memories’
Yotam Silberstein ‘Future Memories’ Jazz&People yotammusic.com Since landing in New York in 2005, Yotam Silberstein has been enlisted by top artists like The Heath Brothers, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, and many others. Rochester jazz festival attendees have heard his wonderful solos and sensitive coloration supporting Tessa Souter. On “Future Memories,” his sixth album as a […]
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Album review: ‘The Transitory Poems’
Vijay Iyer and Craig Taborn ‘The Transitory Poems’ ECM vijay-iyer.com When two fascinating people converse, a great dialogue can result. The same came be said for a musical conversation between two exceptional pianists. “The Transitory Poems” is the result of just such a dialogue between Vijay Iyer and Craig Taborn. The live piano duo performance […]
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Album review: ‘EP’
The Dirty Pennies ‘EP’ Self-released thedirtypennies.com Looking for a guitar hero? Look no further than The Dirty Pennies, a Rochester trio which, on its new “EP,” serves up the songs like cuts of lo-fi beef. It’s slick, but it’s not showy. It’s primal rock ‘n’ roll with just the right amount of blues to keep […]
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Album review: ‘Take Me as I Am: The Muscle Shoals Sessions’
Meg Williams ‘Take Me as I Am: The Muscle Shoals Sessions’ Nola Blue Records megwilliamsmusic.com Nazareth College alumnus and Nashville singer-songwriter Meg Williams is a sweet goddess on the outside and a talented, blues-rock beast on the inside, celebrating her third full-length release since 2014. Williams brings the edge in her new, self-affirming album, "Take […]
