Ryan Montbleau Band
Live at Life is Good
(Blue’s Mountain)
It’s a testament to the quality of its musicianship when a band sounds as good live as it does in studio. In this regard, the Ryan Montbleau Band does not disappoint. Stretching 14 songs over two discs, with tracks ranging from 2 to 10 minutes in length, Live at Life is Good (recorded at Life is Good company headquarters in Boston, with a percentage of the proceeds supporting, through Life is Good Playmakers, kids faced with life-threatening circumstances like violence, illness and poverty) provides an excellent overview of lead singer/guitarist Montbleau’s melodic vocal style, and his band’s tight-knit improvisational abilities. While “Grain of Sand” opens with a hard-swinging drive that would make Big Bad Voodoo Daddy proud, the light-as-as-a-feather reggae tune “Songbird” floats along effortlessly. Country ballad “Chariot (I Know)” rounds out the genre trifecta. —Pete Redington
Fool’s Gold
Leave No Trace
(IAMSOUND)
Though the band’s 2009 debut was noted for its use of traditional tribal instruments, this newest release from L.A.’s finest African music revivalists marks a departure. Not content to jettison the hand-made gourds and Hebrew vocals of their older material, the band itself has stripped down as well, consisting now of five core musicians as opposed to the 12-plus member collective of years past. This spring cleaning of sorts has also allowed for the embracing of alternative sounds. The guitar jangle of album opener “The Dive” and the organ-laden intro to “Narrow Sun” both recall ’80s new wave, while “Balmy” implements handclaps and rolling percussion to groove-worthy effect. Still, where the band’s first record maintained an indefinable charm, the best efforts here feel oddly restrained. Here’s hoping future work finds a better balance between the old and new. —Michael Cimaomo
Various Artists
Valley Rising
(The Collective Music Group)
Now that record contracts matter a lot less, it’s hard to get noticed in a sea of readily available music. If you need a refresher in local talent, be sure to pick up Valley Rising. The effort, spearheaded by Jamie Kent and Carlie Lyster, is a group of songs from a sizeable roster of young Valley musicians. Surprises emerge quickly: the aesthetic is overwhelmingly acoustic, and the carefulness of composition and quality of recording is the strongest uniting force. This is more Steely Dan than garage rock. Though it’s unlikely you’ll find every cut to your taste, there are some very strong standouts, songs that remain compelling throughout and deliver graceful performances (tunes by The Sun Parade and Heather Maloney, among others, move in interesting ways). If you want to lend a hand to a lot of Valley musicians at once, not to mention hear a nice slice of current Valley trends, this is a must-listen. —James Heflin
