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The Civil Wars – Barton HollowSensibility Music-out now4 / 5 There is little as refreshing as an intimate male/female duet; Swell Season knows it, and Fleetwood Mac certainly knew it. Joy Williams and John Paul White must sense something special in their debut studio LP, because without flash and without pomp, we can say “Barton Hollow” is a delightful, gorgeous slice of Americana. Their romantic tracks here are pared down, sporting rhythmic guitar and sometimes banjo/piano, because who wants to hear anything else when the vocals are so soothing and beautiful? We dig the title track especially, but there’s nary a weak one here, whichRead More →

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Bela Fleck and the Flecktones – “Rocket Science”Entertainment One Music-out now3.5 / 5 After an excruciating, nearly twenty-year hiatus, self-described blu-bop quartet the Flecktones have released another space-themed dozen tracks, seemingly from out of that same inky nowhere. For those stranded under a rock these past few decades, the best way to describe the Flecktones may well be this: add one part world-renowned banjo master (Mr. Fleck), one part bass virtuoso (Victor Wooten, ever happy to hear), harmonica and crazy futuristic drummer, and shake together with a tinge of world/jazz/bluegrass fusion; the result is one of the lightest, most talented groups you’re likely to findRead More →

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Sam Roberts Band – ColliderRounder Records-out today3 / 5 Sam Roberts certainly can find a groove. The opener to the band’s fourth studio full-length hits a great stride, with a loose, loping guitar and the right amount of bounce to the rhythmic vocals. In all, “The Last Crusade” displays the kind of understated musicianship from the band as a whole that shows a steady head/hand at work. Collider, from this vantage point, would be the perfect pop/jam band album to cruise to (“Let It In”: eat that, Phish), except that it’s missing a couple things. First, the vocals: Roberts voice, despite a great sense ofRead More →

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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 →