Music Ravings

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 →

Dirty Bourbon River Show – Volume TwoSelf-Released-out now2.5 / 5 (Ed.’s Note: yes, there is a Volume One. No, it’s not reviewed here.) True to the creole mish-mash of the Big Easy, the Dirty Bourbon River Show mix rock and blues (with a shot of jazziness) and perform the kind of music you’d expect to find marching down Bourbon Street on uneasy legs. Volume Two is soaked in tradition, and eschews the tight, efficient sound of pop/rock for the deceptively “lazy” sound of the south. It’s by-and-far a more difficult act to pull off, especially in studio, and there’s no doubt fans of this fun,Read More →