Album Reviews

The bio page on 30db.net refers to this collaboration between Brendan Bayliss (Umphrey’s McGee) and Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band) as “unexpected,” but fans of both bands have long recognized the musical and personal friendship between the pair. After hearing the debut album under the 30db moniker, One Man Show, even outsiders won’t miss the chemistry and similarities that Austin and Bayliss share.

Just as both camps will be attracted by the gorgeous color packaging of You Hear Me, newcomers to the music of Tommy Keene who hear the double CD set  will no doubt be as impressed by the consistency of this Retrospective as long-standing fans. Yet the most beautiful virtue of this music may be that it’s equally satisfying to play in the background or sit down and listen closely.

With the release of her debut album, Nomad, Anna Rose offers listeners a slick blend of singer/songwriter based pop and rock – and although on a certain level her sound isn’t the most unique sound you may ever hear, it works as it brings to mind comparisons to famed artists such as Harvest-era Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the like.

Sacred Steel guitar maestro, Robert Randolph has come a long way since the days of leading church worship to becoming one of the most recognized guitar players in the country.  Randolph’s highly anticipated third album – We Walk This Road – is a work of art that began over two years ago with roots pioneer and producer extraordinaire, T Bone Burnett