CD Reviews

The Lied To's reach higher ground with subtle grace on The Worst Kind Of New

The Lied To’s reach higher ground with subtle grace on The Worst Kind Of New

The Lied To’s latest album The Worst Kind Of New finds the partnership of Doug Kwartler and Susan Levine sharing the thoughts and feelings they’ve experienced since losing older family members to the passage of life. With a good amount of lyrical detail and graceful expression, The Lied To’s a painterly description of what they […]

Kid Gulliver deliver pop-rock their own glorious way on Kismet

Kid Gulliver deliver pop-rock their own glorious way on Kismet

Kid Gulliver’s latest album Kismet finds these feisty Boston pop-rockers offering up 11 tracks that scream out pop-rock from different decades of that music sub-genre. Singer Simone Berk reminds of those zany girl group singers in the early 1960s. While she and the band offer a punchier pop-rock sound, the listener can still hear influences […]

The Gravel Project kicks like a mule on Many Miles Ahead

The Gravel Project kicks like a mule on Many Miles Ahead

The Gravel Project consists of guitarist-vocalist Andrew Gravel, his brother, keyboardist Jordan Gravel, drummer Dave Fox, and percussionist-vocalist Brandon Mayes. New album Many Miles Ahead blends classic rock, blues, and other old school influences into a chunky block of feisty nuggets, songs that introduce themselves by kicking down the door with exuberant musical muscle. Opening […]

Rediscover the magic of Robin Lane & The Chartbusters with Many Years Ago compilation

Rediscover the magic of Robin Lane & The Chartbusters with Many Years Ago compilation

Back in 2019 Robin Lane & The Chartbusters released this incredible, comprehensive compilation of almost all of their material. The compilation’s title, Many Years Ago, taken from one of the band’s song titles, speaks volumes by only hinting at what was going on with this highly talented group. Just when this reviewer was about to […]

Tequila Jim rocks with conscience on American

Tequila Jim rocks with conscience on American

Rhode Island rocker Tequila Jim just released his new album. Titled American, it’s as feisty, lean and mean as anything he’s ever released in the past. Tequila Jim beautifully marries his rock and roll instincts with his singer-songwriter sensibilities. Opening cut “Who You Are” pushes its way forward with a smoldering lead guitar phrase simmering […]

Terry Kitchen's re-released First Album reflects the potential he's displayed over the years

Terry Kitchen’s re-released First Album reflects the potential he’s displayed over the years

Terry Kitchen recently re-released his debut solo album from 1991.Simply titled First Album, it shows the then budding Boston-based singer-songwriter offering promise. Tender lyrical wisdom and a fine melodic flow from his six string acoustic would soon make Kitchen a favorite of Boston’ s folk and singer-songwriter scenes. Opening track “Turn Your Head Around” speaks […]

Linda Marks entertains beautifully, perfectly at Home

Linda Marks entertains beautifully, perfectly at Home

Linda Marks’ latest in a flurry of CD releases is titled Home, the album being a reflection on living through the pandemic. As she ruminates on her many associations of the concept of home, Marks carries us along with her lyrical insights, vivid descriptions, and a host of instrumentation that surround her lovely voice with […]

Roots Of Creation rock the reggae world with Dub Free Or Die vol.1

Roots Of Creation rock the reggae world with Dub Free Or Die vol.1

Roots Of Creation’s latest album, Dub Free Or Die vol. 1, feels more dance hall than anything they’ve done in the past. While it feels more dance hall due to the sea sawing dub grooves, the horns, guitars, vocals, and everything else still cozies up to the listener like a familiar friend. Opening track “Are […]

The Elovaters make reggae shine in their own special way

The Elovaters make reggae shine in their own special way

The Elovaters latest CD release Castles shows the Boston based-band moving through many reggae grooves and island vibes. Yet, this band does reggae its own way, employing a varied take on instrumentation and vocals to give their genre a new shine. Opening track “Be All Right” is a breezy, wavy piece, a mid-tempo reggae beat […]

Passing Strange offer mad brilliance on Afterthought

Passing Strange offer mad brilliance on Afterthought

Passing Strange keep things interesting, very interesting on their new album Afterthought. With their palpable drum fills, eerie piano moods, and anxious lyrics, they conjure the vibe of one racing the antidote to a dying man who holds the ultimate secrets of mankind. The duo, in their wild creativity, are that good, creating moods, hooking […]