_CD Reviews 2011 (Page 7)

Delay Trees – Self-TitledFriendly Fire Recordings-out tomorrow2.5 / 5 Mixed with a bit of shoegazery comes Delay Trees’ debut full-length, a dreamy, laid-back affair with a soft spring of pop in its step. And while “Cassette 2012” is a good start, with carelessly tossed vocals, soaring chorus, and a strong musical arc, it’s not enough to bring this album into your home. The fact of the matter is that here, the Nordic quartet doesn’t shock, doesn’t surprise, doesn’t pull themselves into uncomfortable territory. There are certain, almost ‘aha’ moments, when a band pulls the rabbit out of the hat and the audience wonders how itRead More →

Al Di Meola – “Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody”Telarc-out now3 / 5 When judging a record by such a technically renowned master of the fusion guitar as Mr. Di Meola, there are a few difficult things to consider: technical prowess, the crafting of the songs, and how they match up to past accomplishments. Ultimately, we want to tell you whether to put your money on this CD or another. That first one, technical prowess, is no issue here: Di Meola is as fine as he’s ever been, and has definitely retained his delicate touch. The songs, though, lack a bit of that je ne sais quoiRead More →

Tin Can Radio – “Chase the Sun, Hold the Night”Self- Released-out now 3.5 / 5 If there’s one thing that can be said about the debut album from Aussie rock group Tin Can Radio, it’s this: poppy. But in this case, saying one thing isn’t enough: “Chase the Sun, Hold the Night” is energetic, fun, and contains some varied, really well-constructed music. The kind of music that surprises, just catches you off-guard. “A Deafening Silence” is a perfect example of this, opening like a light pop act before breaking into thrumming guitars and punked-up dancy vocals. What these guys do best, in order, is 1.Read More →