Posts by Chris Calarco

Diving into their brand new release, Worm Moon Waning, it is apparent the band is a creative and inspired trio lead by songwriter and vocalist Jody Nelson.  With so much folk and Americana indie rock being released these days it is challenging for a band to stand out from the heaps of mustached hipsters but Through the Sparks manages to strike a solid balance inside their melancholic lyrics and wistful, creative arrangements.

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, a two year old, nine piece big band chock full of sultry soul, funk, reggae, lounge, and rock grooves has released their self titled debut album on Modern Vintage Recordings.  “Modern Vintage” is a fairly apt descriptor for this band at whose core sits 22-year-old singer Arleigh Kincheloe and her brother Jackson on harmonica.

Auditorium is the brainchild of Spencer Berger of Los Angeles.  With a music degree from Vassar, and a background in opera performance, screen writing, and acting Berger’s diversity of interests appears to have resulted in a distinctive vision for his own musical output. His debut album, Be Brave, was recorded in private over a period of three years using only his voice and his fingers on electric bass and acoustic guitar

On November 19th in Portland, Dawes shook down the Doug Fir Lounge.  es plays with a hauntingly precious blend of Laurel CanyonIf you don’t know Dawes, get on it.  A four-piece band of young whippersnappers from Los Angeles, none older than 23; Daw harmonies, Americana soul, and dash of rock n’ roll.  

While the Aladdin’s sound is crystal clear and is a wonderful place to see a concert, the number of empty seats impacted the energy.  Only a third full, the Mazda2 tour could have rolled into the Doug Fir Lounge and blown up.  However, “beggars can’t be choosers”, or “haste makes waste”, whatever mom used to say.  Mayer Hawthorne and the County are movin’ on up.  

Meet Me at the Muster Station is the debut full-length album from Kingston, Ontario recording artists PS I Love You.  A duo consisting of Benjamin Nelson and Paul Saulnier, the band mixes guitar, drums, organ, bass, and feedback galore to produce a brash sonic squall that has powerful strengths and a notable shortcoming.  There is no doubt the band will make their mark with the Pitchfork-tight jeans and goofy glasses crowd searching for a hot new rave up but what is really happening inside this so-called Muster Station?

Aloe Blacc's ability to re-interpret and reinvigorate the beloved soul sound with remarkable song arrangements makes this debut stand out from the oftentimes cookie cutter format of two chord vamps and throaty vocals.  Good Things is a grower, gazing toward the classics for inspiration and standing tall next to the modern champions. Let its charm slowly burn.    

So is No Chocolate Cake any good?  Honestly, it sounds a heck of a lot like New Miserable Experience, except not as memorable.  The band’s sound is almost identical to what it was in its heyday but that’s not really a terrible thing.  I didn’t expect anything super adventurous.  The hooks are still plaintively sung just not as often as indelible. 

On Wednesday September 15th, Truth and Salvage Co, a barnstorming new outfit with six musicians from disparate parts of the country, began their “Great Northwest Music Tour” at Lola’s Room in Portland, OR.  The “Tour” is just part of a much larger west coast romp for these purveyors of a sweet and polished new Americana sound.

The Gaslight Anthem touched down in the Pacific Northwest on Monday September 13th to play Seattle’s Showbox SODO and Portland’s Crystal Ballroom.  Central Jersey’s finest export since Carmela Soprano became Nurse Jackie is making a jump in venue size since the June release of their critically acclaimed third full length, American Slang.