We made it to Friday again, so let’s celebrate with five more releases, four of which are dropping today. The fifth was released a few weeks ago, but the artist, The Devil Makes Three, is performing tonight as they close out their Fall Tour with a stop at our own Wilma Theater and we hope to be able to attend and review the performance. In the meantime, check out our reviews.
Artist Name: The Devil Makes Three
Album Name: Chains are Broken
Label: New West Records
Genre: Americana
Track Listing: 1. Chains are Broken; 2. Pray for Rain; 3. Paint my Face; 4. Can’t Stop; 5. Need to Lose; 6. All is Quiet; 7. Bad Idea; 8. Deep Down; 9. Native Son; 10. Castles; 11. Curtains Rise
Publicist: Right Angle PR
Review: The Americana genre encompasses a wide array of roots-based music, but no artist demonstrates the entirety of the genre like The Devil Makes Three. They have the vocals and harmonies of Mumford & Sons and I’m With Her, with the guitar sound of Dick Dale, and the storytelling of The Decemberists, all wrapped up in their unique style. We can hardly believe that all of that musical ability comes from just three people, but can easily believe they are one of the best bands in the world. On their latest album, they leave nothing on the table, but bring it all to deliver an exceptional collection of music that everyone should be proud to have in their collection. There is not a weak song on the album, but we especially like the title track, “Can’t Stop,” “Bad Idea,” “Native Son,” and “Castles.”
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one and definitely see them on tour.
Artist Name: William Bishop
Album Name: Second Time Around
Label: Self-released
Genre: Singer-songwriter/Folk
Track Listing: 1. Hesperus\Phosphorus; 2. Nicotine; 3. St. Augustine; 4. Screen Memory (It Used to go Like That but now it Goes Like This); 5. Quiver\Bitten\Shine; 6. Second Time Around
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: William Bishop has a simple acoustic approach to his music, and his sound is somewhere between Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. His vibe is melancholy while his vocals are strong, capturing the mood of his lyrical content while his hands slide up and down the neck of his acoustic guitar, bringing it and his music to life. These songs demand your full attention to catch all the nuances of his words and music, but the payoff is rich indeed. Put this one on when you have the time to truly listen, and you’ll walk away a better person.
Recommendation: This one belongs in your collection. Get it.
Artist Name: Keir Vine
Album Name: Instance
Label: Trestle Records
Genre: Experimental/Electronic/Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Bob the Dog; 2. Hench Chant; 3. Uncle Doovey’s Return; 4. Meditation No. 1; 5. Wavey Blade; 6. Audiogram; 7. Under Water; 8. Acceptance
Publicist: Trestle Records
Review: This album was definitely not what I expected. Beginning with the first track, which is a sung stream of consciousness by a friend immediately after he had an epileptic seizure, Portico Quartet‘s Keir Vine immediately lets you know that his music cannot easily be stuffed into any genre, but encompasses a wide variety of styles that is ultimately his own. The music would make a great soundtrack for visualizations of mental breakdowns, with its eerie, ethereal vibe. Other than that, it is not good for relaxation or meditation.
Recommendation: Unless you like the very weird in music, you may just want to forget this one.
Artist Name: KENT
Album Name: Hot Chicken Sandwich
Label: Self-released
Genre: Roots/Folk/Country/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Hot Chicken Sandwich; 2. Dry Little Cracker; 3. Far Out; 4. Tonto Lamento; 5. Me Neither
Publicist: RDX Promo
Review: Canadian KENT fully captures the essence of life in rural Canada, creating a roots masterpiece that can just as easily describe life in the deep south. His brand of roots music is raw but refreshingly real. Whether he is accompanying himself on tenor guitar, cigarbox, or ukulele, the instrumentation matches the mood of the song and makes each one a unique gift to the listener. This one’s a keeper, especially “Dry Little Cracker.”
Recommendation: Get this one and enjoy.
Artist Name: Stefano Lentini
Album Name: Fury
Label: Coloora Records
Genre: Alt-Classical/Prog Rock
Track Listing: 1. r73; 2. Suite After the Furies; 3. Les Fluers Da Mal; 4. Unaided Eye; 5. Fury; 6. You Must Respect the Sea; 7. Adagio; 8. Ouverture II; 9. Introitus; 10. Shine on Darkness; 11. Stabat Mater; 12. White Fish Black Fish
Publicist: Vision Music Promotions
Review: What do you get when you combine classical music with prog rock? You get an amazing sound that is cinematic and majestic and totally relaxing and fresh. Stefano Lentini delivers a stunning audio masterpiece with his latest project, creating music that is sweeping and perfect for placement opportunities in television and film. His majestic “Suite After the Furies” is one of the finest instrumental songs we have heard this year, as he does for classical prog rock what Bond did for string ensemble. The Italian and French vocals only add to the theme of this collection. This one is going on repeat, providing the perfect soundtrack for down time.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one!