CD Reviews

Rockin' Ed Thomas turns vocal, lyrical quirks into wonderful fun on Not My Job album

Rockin’ Ed Thomas turns vocal, lyrical quirks into wonderful fun on Not My Job album

Rockin’ Ed Thomas has finally released his slightly edgy, fun flavored Not My Job album, ten years in the making. Thomas brings a quirky world view and sense of humor to his lyrics. He takes things seriously but he knows enough to look at life with a grain of salt. His sense of fun fills each song with a sunny disposition and likeable personality. Thomas also has backing vocalists Lee Villaire and Maia Cataldo along for his joy ride while bass players Brent Godin and Spencer Wright keep the bottom running smooth.

Steven Pelland releases beauty of an album with These Days

Steven Pelland releases beauty of an album with These Days

Steven Pelland’s new These Days CD is chockfull of beautiful vocals, an album that will long be remembered for the quality of the voice. These songs also make an impression through the way Pelland uses his acoustic guitar melodies to conjure emotions and contemplations. This singer makes one feel like he’s conversing with you, not just singing his lyrics over sparse accompaniment. His personality shines through in each track, making one feel the man behind the song.

Lowbudget Records releases must have compilation tribute to The Rolling Stones

Lowbudget Records releases must have compilation tribute to The Rolling Stones

Low Budget Records has released this very thoughtful double disc compilation to The Rolling Stones. Titled You Can’t Always Want What You Get, it’s loaded with renditions of Rolling Stones songs lovingly rendered by some of Roslindale, Massachusetts’s most talented players. The variety of duos and combos on this compilation are perfectly matched to the variety of Stones material it offers and the succession of successful renditions makes this a must have for fans of the Boston music scene as well as fans of The Rolling Stones.

Bees Deluxe offer spectacular live album with Bluesapocalypse

Bees Deluxe offer spectacular live album with Bluesapocalypse

Bees Deluxe have a released live CD to document what sounds like a very exciting band performance. It was recorded at the Arlington Center For The Arts Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts last spring. Edgy, creative, and passionate, this band, fronted by singer-guitarist Conrad Warre, reveal the detailed depth and raw energy that goes into their live shows on this Bluesapocalypse album.

Monica Rizzio shines with righteous zeal on Washashore Cowgirl CD

Monica Rizzio shines with righteous zeal on Washashore Cowgirl CD

Monica Rizzio’s first official solo CD Washashore Cowgirl is chockfull of great original country and country roots songs. Originally from Texas, this Cape Cod resident shows she can project plenty of her southern girl charm and sensibility into her original songs and standards. It’s who she is. A former member of folk trio Tripping Lily, Rizzio wrote or co-wrote most of the righteously fresh material on this album.

Daniel Ouellette & The Shobijin glorious, crazy on new Tokusatsu! CD

Daniel Ouellette & The Shobijin glorious, crazy on new Tokusatsu! CD

Daniel Ouellette & The Shobijin are up to their old tricks again on this new Tokusatsu! CD, expressing musical concepts with highly clever electronic arrangements of their original songs. Ouellette, who hails from Fall River, Massachusetts, wrote these ten zany electronic pop songs, most of which have curious lyrical themes. Eerie concepts should probably be expected from an artist who is from the same town as Lizzie Borden. On one track Ouellette sings about wanting to see Universal Horror movies from the 1930s and 1940s.

Lara Herscovitch shows tremendous growth on Misfit CD

Lara Herscovitch shows tremendous growth on Misfit CD

Lara Herscovitch has just released her fourth CD, Misfit. While misfits are the theme of this new album, Herscovitch fits in well with her New England folk music scene. Her earthy acoustic guitar accompaniments pave the way for this Former State Troubadour of Connecticut to shine. Her insights are sharp and valuable, especially when she turns them on her own emotions. There is also an undeniable husk of true folk music likeableness in each of her songs.

Jeff Root impresses once again with My One And Only CD

Jeff Root impresses once again with My One And Only CD

Jeff Root has come up with another album full of fun, quirky, and impressive songs. His new My One And Only CD is loaded with a variety of song structures and styles. Each tune is coated by his own haunted, other worldly vocal, a natural timbre which suggests he lives just barely on this side of sanity.

Nicole Knox Murphy takes it even higher on new Music Is In My Heart CD

Nicole Knox Murphy takes it even higher on new Music Is In My Heart CD

Who says lightning can never strike twice in the same place? New Hampshire’s rising country and western recording artist Nicole Knox Murphy has just released this fantastic sophomore CD Music Is In My Heart. Murphy’s follow up to 2014’s Full Circle is a mighty offering of heartfelt songs that anybody can relate to. Unpretentious, she keep her lyrics simple, plain spoken but vocally fills them up with feeling.

The Daybreakers impress with finely crafted debut CD

The Daybreakers impress with finely crafted debut CD

The Daybreakers debut CD is a collection of fun, gritty, blues rock, folk-rock, and country rock that makes a good companion to any drive down the highway.