Lonesome Brothers
The Last CD
(Captivating Music)
Don't let the fancy-pants packaging fool you—the seventh Lonesome Brothers album is another tasty helping of twangy, down-home goodness. The Last CD once again features Ray Mason and Jim Armenti sharing songwriting and vocal duties and is filled with witty, wry ruminations on everyday life in our fair Valley, including tales of the girl at the gym with the "Paris tan," Mason's day job delivering human fluids as "the blood and urine guy," and staying on "the right side of the grass." The trio's comfortable sound is nicely augmented by understated accompaniment—lap steel, dobro, banjo, keys—from Doug Beaumier and album engineer Jim Weeks. (Please note CD release party details in Local Spins at right.) —Matthew Dube
New Radiant Storm King
Drinking in the Moonlight
(Darla)
This is probably the most polished NRSK album to date. Solid yet creative beats tie together the straight-ahead chug-chug of the bass and the omnipresent, Radiohead-flavored guitar arpeggios. Every song is rather delightful alt-pop, sometimes harder a la Foo Fighters, sometimes melancholy like Elliot Smith, and sometimes springy and piano-driven in the vein of Spoon or Paul McCartney. The low, resonant vocals keep this band's sound interesting, and the melodies are all catchy without being clich?, thanks to an ongoing romance with experimentation. Kudos to producer Mark Miller for somehow making a zillion overdubbed tracks maintain spaciousness. —Tom Sturm
Dana and Susan Robinson
'Round My Door
(Threshold)
Done properly, Americana evokes the American character through nostalgic looks at the rural past, common-man tropes, and regional diversity. To hear it at its best, check out 'Round My Door. From the opening reinterpretation of "Pastures of Plenty" to the concluding grunge-on-the-rails "Hell on Wheels," Dana and Sue Robinson introduce us to farmers, hobos, and workaday folk in the Appalachians, across the prairie, and up to Spokane. Dana's warm voice, poetic lyrics, and solid guitar work blend perfectly with Sue's claw hammer banjo, piano, and vocal harmonies. This is one of the year's finest releases. The Robinsons tour Western Mass. this fall. —Rob Weir
Emiliana Torrini
Me and Armini
(Rough Trade)
With the exception of maybe Joan Osborne or Sinead O'Connor, you don't hear many non-Jamaican women dipping toes into reggae. And with good reason—the syncopations and lilt can trip up all but the pros. This Icelandic singer (who—sorry—sounds a little like Bjork) comes out with a spongy groove (listen for synth-tom fills!) on the opener. Torrini goes with an eclectic mix, moving from folktronica, adding more muscle and texture than was evident on her sleepier, rainier 2006 record. —John Adamian
