A look at local discs . . . and more

The Beanstalk Library
America at Night
www.thebeanstalklibrary.com
Wonderfully done record by locals The Beanstalk Library.  Catchy, driving music, well-written lyrics and  beautiful harmonies. Tracks can go from piano heavy to guitar thunder, from sleepy chill to jarring, all seamless. The feel and sound from these nine tracks sound big time. The wait for this effort has been worth it. “American at Night” hits the streets Aug. 7 with an official CD release party at IOTA Club & Cafe. — RF

Jon Braman
Climatastrophunk
www.jonbraman.com
Ukuleles and hip-hop? Stranger combinations have been made to work, and Braman’s strength as a lyricist and songwriter does indeed force one to overcome any preconceptions that may have existed before listening to his music. The record is well-executed, slipping from sun drenched ‘80s hiphop compositions to near-Sublime deliveries, though this aspect is double edged. Braman in undeniably talented and unique, and I hope these facets overcome people’s presumptions.  CD release show at DC 9 on Aug. 8. — LGLP

Beat the Devil
Beat the Devil
www.beatthedevil.com
New York City’s Beat the Devil wails with the same city vocals as predecessors Wolf Parade and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! Their languid whine weaves over smoother, simpler drum beats and keyboard with zero attention to  guitar. I hesitate, but have to call it ‘art rock.’ I want to smoke to it. I want to drink whiskey to it. I don’t drink whiskey. — RA


The Bongos
Drums Along the Hudson
www.drumsalongthehudson.com
It’s hard to review a special-edition version of classic 1980s power-pop. This latest treat features rare and live bonus tracks and some new studio recordings. Hearing the gritty, Stones-esque rock today slaps you in the face to the fact that you missed out on a really excellent era of obscure music. — RA

Evan Bliss & The Welchers  
Evan Bliss & The Welchers
www.thewelchers.com
With a name like Evan Bliss, it would be easy to insert a lame pun. Fortunately, that is not necessary. If Brandon Boyd of Incubus and Jack Johnson had a love-child, it would be Evan Bliss & The Welchers. The group’s sound blends powerful vocals and skilled instrumental music in what is a very respectable compilation. Mixing reggae, punk, rock and soul, the group has created a unique sound. “Kings” in particular proves Bliss and Co. aren’t another mediocre local band, but rather a fresh sound here to stay. In a nutshell, it is good music. Go check it out.  — NF

Cary Brothers
Who You Are
www.carybrothers.com
While containing the simultaneously repellant and charming delivery of a ‘90s film soundtrack, “Who You Are” is saved from being disregarded as kitschy or shallow by Brothers’ voice. While very much a backdrop to the vocal delivery, the instrumental compositions are more of a subtle, yet intricate peripheral movement, and not a forgettable or unnecessary facet of the album. Closer “Precious Lie” demonstrates the album’s strengths, Brothers’ voice rising over a simple, building piano line, with layers of strings and female vocals filtering in over the course of the song. A distinctly down-tempo debut effort, but a solid musical companion nonetheless. Catch ‘em at both Borders Books and Jammin’ Java on Aug. 9 — LGLP

Eli Cook
Miss Blues’es Child
www.elicook.com
Twenty-year-old prodigy Eli Cook is a revelation. With a voice as rich and graveled as his by-gone Delta-blues predecessors and guitar work that most musicians couldn’t hope to master through decades of intensive training, Cook’s debut release feels more like an unearthed Southern masterpiece than the recordings of an underage white boy from Charlottesville, Virginia. Having played the Kennedy Center with African percussionist Darrel Rose and opened for B.B. King at his sold-out Paramount Theatre show, word has already started to circulate about this young talent. “Miss Blues’es Child” may be the push needed to put him over the top. Visit his site to see if he’s coming to a venue near you. — LGLP

Drew Gibson
Letterbox
www.drew-gibson.com/
Born and bred in Virginia, singer-songwriter Drew Gibson has created an album that is one part folk, one part blues and a pinch of country. Though not a fan of any of those genres, I can recognize and appreciate Gibson’s obvious talent displayed through “Letterbox.” “Here in the Evening Too” puts a spotlight on both Gibson’s vocals and musicianship. His voice has a raw, soulful quality to it, yet still manages to sound trained (in a good way). Check out Gibson at the Birchmere in Alexandria on Aug. 20. — NF

ILAD
National Flags
www.iladmusic.com
Richmond’s ILAD offers down-tempo dreamy jazz compositions setting a strange pace for politically charged lyrics. “National Flags” was recorded and mixed by John McEntire of Tortoise and the Sea and Cake, and his layering of instruments and vocals enhances the band’s low-key approach. Unfortunately, ILAD never again fly as high as they do on the atmospheric opener “Preamble,” a beautiful, electronic introduction to a record that then shifts direction from the second song onwards, distancing this first effort from the finished product. Overall, solid. Aug. 17 at the Red & the Black. — LGLP

Chris Kasper
Flying Boy
www.chriskaspermusic.com
Reminiscent of many acoustic deliveries, the most noticeable being the subtle bluegrass flourishes and a similar style and approach to that of Irish songwriter Damien Rice, Kasper’s “Flying Boy” is a wonderful collection. Usually I grow tired of the ‘man and his guitar manner of songwriting a few songs into a record, but Kasper’s voice and melodies need little accompaniment, and the deft touches that are present speak loudly even in their quiet tones. Able to evoke ‘60s folk songs and Coldplay-like parallels, all without compromising his unique manner of creation, Kasper is a talent to keep a very close eye on. Aug. 26 at the Kennedy Center. — LGLP

The Mission UK
God is a Bullet
www.themissionuk.com
Just because a band’s from the UK doesn’t give it a get-out-of-jail-free card for sucking. Though “God Is a Bullet” features more delicious-than-guttural vocals more akin to Muse than Nickelback, the unfriendly guitar lines and banal feel of the whole thing makes me think The Mission’s more fit for the ‘80s era in which they formed. — RA

Or, The Whale
Light Poles and Pines
www.orthewhale.com
Hailing from San Francisco and comprised of seven members - all with meandering paths leading them into the band - Or, The Whale is a strange beast, though this is where much of the group’s strength lies. While “Light Poles and Pines” has a tendency to slip throughout a strange cross-section of popular sub-genres, the layered instrumentation and themes of the songs give the record focus. Mostly relying on folk and country approaches, though never one to shy from exploration or risk, Or, The Whale have created a strong debut record that effortlessly appeals to members of the alt-country and indie scenes. Find out for yourself Aug. 13 at the Red & the Black. — LGLP

Phideaux
Doomsday Afternoon
www.bloodfish.com
Instead of exploring Armageddon, “Doomsday Afternoon” takes a rather light, somewhat cheap romp through the gardens of classic and contemporary rock. There are panpipes, competent string arrangements, and songs exceeding 10 minutes, but, more often than not, Phideaux seem just shy of reaching the epic heights to which they aspire. Not altogether a wasted block of studio time, “Doomsday Afternoon” has some interesting, if not admirable moments, though there are too few to sufficiently apologize for the less commendable ones. If you are a fan of that strange Middle Ages inspired rock, this record could be appealing to you – for me, not so much. Decide for yourself Aug. 11 at Jammin’ Java.— LGLP

The Pietasters
All Day
www.thepietasters.com
DC’s the Pietasters have struck gold with “All Day”, it’s first  album release in five years. The Pietasters deliver a  different sound combining ska, soul, Motown and even reggae. The result of this combo is an inspiring and fresh vibe that keeps your feet tapping. Upbeat tracks like “Keep on Lyin” keep you moving, while  soulful tracks like “Oolooloo” do the same, but in a much chiller way. The Pietasters also impress with an awesome cover of Tom Petty’s “Listen to Her Heart.” All together this album delivers on many different levels. Drops Aug. 21. — CG

Chest Rockwell
Chest Rockwell vs the World
www.myspace.com/chestrockwell
Boring. Someone learned to pluck a guitar line. Another person learned how to speak semi-melodically. These people have rejected their Kentucky roots entirely instead of injecting a little flavor into their banal excuse for radio rock. I hate it. — RA

Devon Sproule
Keep Your Silver Shined
www.devonsproule.com
Devon Sproule’s “Keep Your Silver Shined” is a warm homegrown taste of soothing folk music from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottsville, Virginia. If there is one thing that is certain from the first to last track of this album, it’s that Devon Sproule hasn’t let success get to her, she remains grounded and  dedicated to celebrating the warmth that spreads throughout her community. That same warmth can be celebrated after listening to this great Southern roots album. The first track on the album, “Old Virginia Block,” is a perfect example of her heart-felt blend of folk and pop that screams home cookin’. Every track on this album takes you back home, wherever that may be, and keeps you there… if only for 34 minutes. — CG

*****ALSO AVAILABLE*****


Paul Curreri
The Velvet Rut
www.paulcurreri.com
Some mellow tracks from this Charlottesville resident.

Celeste Starchild
Time Release
www.buttersweetmusic.com
New album from Alexandria’s Celeste Starchild. If you favor tunes with a folk feel, this may be the CD for you. Multiple local shows in August.

The Crawdaddies
Keep Lookin’ Up
www.thecrawdaddies.com
The Crawdaddies feel like one of those bands that could have made it during the ‘90s, that strange age where Squirrel Nut Zippers and Blues Traveler were able to revive older forms of musical expression, receiving accolades and platinum records for doing so. A must-see live. Multiple dates in August.