Title: Caroline Herring - Camilla
Genre: Folk, Americana
Description: For her sixth release Caroline Herring has
focused on the civil rights movement of the 60's. And while the songs may
center around a historical event, the songs themselves are personal rather than
political statements. Herring's ability to write seductive melodies combined
with her richly nuanced lead vocals makes her music accessible and immediately
appealing. Guest vocalists including Mary Chapin Carpenter and Aoife O'Donovan
and backing musicians such as Bryn Davies, gives this album a level of polish
and musicality worthy of the songs therein.
Rating (0- 10): Overall - 9, Sonically - 8
Title: Shingo Yuji - Introducing Shingo Yuji
Genre: Jazz
Description: For his first release Japanese-American jazz
guitarist Shingo Yuji leads a quartet with Walter Smith on sax, Dave Robaire on
bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums, through seven original and one cover (Lennon
and McCarthy's "Help.") With his Pat Methenyesque, slightly electronic tone,
Yuji creates delicate floating lines counterbalanced by occasional flurries of notes
to create modern, yet accessible jazz. The sound here is as rich and intricate
as the music itself.
Rating (0- 10): Overall - 8, Sonically - 9
Title: Rayland Baxter - Feathers & Fishhooks
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Americana
Description: Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rayland
Baxter's debut full-length album highlights his accessible and roots-influenced
music. Baxter's voice is only passable, but that's OK because it's the songs
themselves that are the stars here. The arrangements are kept simple, with a
fingerpicked guitar leading the stripped down band that includes Baxter's father,
Bucky, who's played with Bob Dylan and Steve Earle, on guitar. Some tunes, such
as "Mountain Song" are destined to be instant classics.
Rating (0- 10): Overall - 8, Sonically - 8
Title: Mark Bates - Night Songs
Genre: Pop, Singer-Songwriter
Description: For his second album release Los
Angeles-based singer songwriter focused on themes of change and yearning. With
his mellifluous lead vocals and impeccable pop/rock instrumentation, Bates'
music combines bright infectious melodies with darker lyrical content to create
music that has more gravitas and impact than simple pop. On the tune "How Good
You Look" Bates creates a near perfect 2:58 pop song, complete with a super
bridge and hook, "I don't care about your reputation, or your stories that end
in devastation. Most men would be terrified, but I 'd like to say how good you
look tonight."
Rating (0- 10): Overall - 9, Sonically - 8
Title: Mason Brothers - Ghost Season
Genre: Folk, Pop, Singer-Songwriter
Description: For folk-pop with an almost otherworldly
edge the Mason Brothers would be my band of choice. Even the title for their third
album, Ghost Season, feels completely
appropriate. With soft unison vocals, which have a passing resemblance to early
Simon and Garfunkel, coupled with rich guitar textures that intertwine acoustic
tones with U-2ish electric drones, The Mason Brothers recast folk music for the
new millennia. The final cut, "Slowly Turning," which runs almost 7:30 has more
drama and attitude than most Hollywood big-budget movies.
Rating (0- 10): Overall - 8, Sonically - 8
