Around Hear Page 3

Alisa Simms‘ Remember consists of the title track plus two remixes. The original is a mix of simple keys, drums, minimal guitar, and some nice string touches near the end, keeping the spotlight on Simms’ warm, silky vocals. The second, “Remixber,” has a little more percussion in its groove. The final, “Reminder Drum ‘N’ Bass Mix,” is the strongest of the three because of heavier drum and bass tracks (obviously). The song is a bit dated, but there’s no question Simms has a lovely voice and a good foundation for songwriting. (www.alisasimms.com)
– Penelope Biver

Although the world of indie rock hardly suffers from a lack of sensitive and sentimental troubadours, I Was Your Shroud, the full-length debut from local quartet Sleep Out, proves there’s always room for more. From sweet lullabies like “The Ride Home” to the country and western-tinged “Stay Of Execution” and moody and reflective “Cat Or A Horse,” their unique and superb brand of songwriting can be found on each and every track, providing the night’s soundtrack for lonely indie rockers everywhere. (www.sleepout.net)
– Dean Ramos

There’s something hauntingly spare about Keep No Score, the latest from Sleeping At Last. Songs such as “Careful Hands” and “Hold Still” simultaneously capture both heartfelt and heart-rending emotions, lending the entire collection a melancholy air. There’s not a lot of variation across the dozen tunes, leading to a certain degree of monotony, but for those days when wallowing in longing and loneliness is essential, the disc is perfect. (www.sleepingatlast.com)
– Jeff Berkwits

What happens when a couple of metalheads get fed up with society and decide to make their voices heard? They make a goth metal album, of course. At least that’s what Dale Tippett Jr. and Justin Smith did. Recording under the name Something Beautiful, they spit their brooding, angry vocals over a dark layer of metal guitar hooks and in the process spread their anti-agenda agenda through songs like “On Death & Dying,” “God Hates Me,” and “Heresies & Blasphemies.” (www.denythepain.com)
– Carter Moss

Spectaculo revels in a lo-fidelity, rough-around-the-edges style of rock on its six-song, self-titled CD. A guitarist/singer and drummer provide all the instrumentation: mostly muted power-chord rhythms and no-frills snare drum and high-hat pounding on songs with whimsical titles such as “X-Spectre” and “Dynamo.” The delicate and buried-under-the-mix vocals work best on more subdued, two-man groove songs such as “65 Bad Dreams,” with its whisper-quiet vocals, and “Vengadora.” (www.spectaculo.com)
– Jason Scales

There’s no denying Gary Tu is a talented jazz guitarist, and when joined by a bassist and drummer for the nine cuts of Look East, the trio offers a pleasant listening experience not too unlike what one would expect at a Sunday jazz brunch at a neighborhood bistro. That said, there’s a sense of rote sameness to his playing as the bassist tends to recede and the earnest drumming makes one yearn for more brushwork on Tu’s five originals, which makes them pale against the stronger trio interplay of the four covers that follow. (www.garytu.com)
– David C. Eldredge

On Unique Chique‘s Loose Tooth Records full-length, It Never Fails Forever, the group runs the gamut of indie rock, electronic pop, and even hints of jazz. The mixed bag keeps listeners guessing, but no matter what the style, vocalist Joe Starita is delightfully cathartic as his backers weave an artistic web of entrancing rhythms (especially apparent throughout “Profile” and “Blinding Time”). (www.uniquechique.net)
– Andy Argyrakis

Weber Band have morphed from the solo efforts of singer-songwriter Al Weber into a four-piece acoustic jam band in the vein of Dave Matthews Band or Guster. Helping keep our attention on the band’s self-titled EP are Weber’s heartfelt vocals and some engaging piano and organ work from Al’s brother, Andy. With their snappy pop delivery, the Weber boys, along with rhythm section of Greg Skelly and Brian Spagnolo, make their admitted interest in “blowing up” more than obvious. (www.weberband.com)
– Joseph Simek

Welcome To Ashley singer Coley Kennedy has clearly studied Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch, while his bandmates also appear to be fans of that band, The Replacements, and Jesus And Mary Chain. Top tunes “You Magic Is Tragic” and “Thursday Afternoon” from its self-titled eight-song album combine the best of all worlds, plus a little attitude of its own. (www.welcometoashley.com)
– Andy Argyrakis

Larry Wimmer steps out as an accomplished guitarist on his first full-length, This Chain Of Blues, and his emotive vocals should connect with fans of Robert Cray. The slower “Not Ashamed” and “Missin’ Your Kissin'” are solid blues numbers, but Wimmer is more fun on party tunes like “Burnin’ Up” and “Can’t Look Back.” (www.larywimmer.com)
– Terrence Flamm

Zerostars spike the power pop songs on The Good Can’t Escape with silly tales and stream-of-consciousness lyrics. The catchy “Dad’s Dress” is particularly notable for its Fountains Of Wayne-style offbeat humor and the band also excels on the guitar-driven “No Souvenir” and “Like Lovers Do.” The acoustic “Smoking In Bed” presents Zerostars in a lighter, though no-less-warped, setting. (www.myspace.com/heyzerostars)
– Terrence Flamm

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Category: Around Hear