Chris Bethmann ‘Naked Bourbon’ Self-released chrisbethmann.com Rochester-based guitarist Chris Bethmann is a storyteller at heart, capable of producing countrified ingenuity in an ever-changing world. Raised on Americana and having studied jazz at Eastman School of Music, he brings a thoughtful, alt-folk approach to the table on his debut EP "Naked Bourbon," released in December 2018. […]
Album Review
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Album review: ‘Tree of Shade’
Driftwood ‘Tree of Shade’ Self-released driftwoodtheband.com The Binghamton band Driftwood is back with “A Tree of Shade,” another collection of warm and earthy songs that feel rooted in indie Americana but bloom into full-blown, radio-ready pop. Driftwood strikes a balance between dirt-road weariness and wide-eyed optimism; the lyrics are bittersweet and earnest, but the music […]
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Album review: ‘Radio Silence’
The Squires of the Subterrain ‘Radio Silence’ Rocket Racket Records squiresofthesubterrain.com Here’s another analogue nugget from the Squire’s subterranean lair in the bowels of the South Wedge. However, expect a few surprises on “Radio Silence”: the track “House of Ghosts,” in all its rag-tag, Tin Pan Alley glory; and “Another Ghost (in the House),” with […]
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Album review: ‘Partly on Time: Recordings 1968-1970’
Kinloch Nelson ‘Partly on Time: Recordings 1968-1970’ Tompkins Square Records kinlochnelson.com The inquisitive exploration and curiosity are all there. In fact they’ve been there sitting on guitar wizard Kinloch Nelson’s shelf for 50 years, undisturbed — but fortunately not forgotten. Though Nelson presents the 12 original songs on “Partly on Time: Recordings 1968-1970” acoustically, the […]
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Album review: ‘Warm Prickly’
Benny Bleu ‘Warm Prickly’ Self-released bennybleu.bandcamp.com It sounds like I’m lying when I tell you a performance or record from Benny Bleu, a k a Ben Haravitch, features the entire Hochstein School of Music’s banjo faculty. That’s because he’s the only one there. Though Haravitch spends a lot of time solo on his new CD […]
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Album review: ‘Everdene Holler’
Everdene Holler ‘Everdene Holler’ Self-released everdeneholler.bandcamp.com Rochester duo Everdene Holler’s debut album is a curious collection of sounds. Is it drone music? Is it roots music? Delightfully, the answers are unclear, as banjo player Zora Gussow and fiddler Clara Riedlinger — who share vocal duties — defy expectations with six unsettling but satisfying takes on […]
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Album review: ‘HyperGiant Hi-Fi’
Orkestra Eustoria ‘HyperGiant Hi-Fi’ Self-released petersparacino.com When you first encounter the impressive debut of Orkestra Eustoria, the ensemble’s name and album title, “HyperGiant Hi-Fi,” seem to perfectly fit the otherworldly sound. But the key to the band’s success lies in the expansive musical scope of this world. Founded by saxophonist Peter Sparacino in the ethnically […]
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Album review: ‘Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band’
Moppa Elliott ‘Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band’ Hot Cup Records moppaelliott.com He may be best known for his work with the irreverent jazz band Mostly Other People Do the Killing, but that’s not nearly enough for Moppa Elliott. The bassist-composer is bursting with musical ideas, having just released a three-album set, “Jazz Band/Rock Band/Dance Band,” with […]
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Album review: ‘Absense’
Absense ‘Absense’ Self-released absenserock.bandcamp.com Absense’s eponymous debut EP brings to mind the perils of youth, confronting the listener with the uncertainty of a young person’s place in the world. The lyrics deal with heavy issues that give the songs moments of occasional discomfort. Lead vocalist and guitarist Tristan Harvey and drummer Kyle Hunter co-wrote the […]
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Album review: ‘Brindamor’
Brindamor ‘Brindamor’ Self-released brindamor.bandcamp.com In the age of the EP and the MP3, it’s nice to hear a band offer a heaping helping of tracks like the Rochester neo-traditionalist group Brindamor does on its eponymous,10-track album. The first thing you stumble upon, amid the string-band strain, is that this ain’t a string-band record. But I […]
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Album review: ‘Dirty Anxious Low’
Jan the Actress ‘Dirty Anxious Low’ Self-released jantheactress.bandcamp.com Most bands build up the energy over the space of a few cuts. But not Jan the Actress, no. The band’s latest CD, “Dirty Anxious Low,” delivers that slash, crash and burn immediately. It’s there the minute you switch it on, and it doesn’t stop for nine […]
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Album review: ‘Go Digital!’
The Saplings ‘Go Digital!’ Master Hand Records thesaplingsmusic.bandcamp.com The Saplings’ beautifully odd album “Go Digital!” is definitely a mellow, clever, and cool collection that punches like a clown on the nod. The band exhibits a ton of varied personalities: electronic moods cleverly stirred into pop hooks, from Devo to emo. All 13 cuts are accessible […]
