Below are a few additional titles that made it to my desk this year.
Marc Brown and the Blues Crew: “Long Time Coming”
The title speaks volumes for Brown, who received a Native American Music Award nomination in 2010 after nearly two decades of area gigging and a handful of releases. “Long Time Coming” also features the late Derrick Jackson, another local standout on bass and drums. The album is a romp though the blues but covers a variety of styles. Most of these solid tracks are originals, though Brown also works in some classic covers such as “Damn Right I Got The Blues” (Buddy Guy) and “Worried Life Blues” (Willie DIxon).
Paper Scissors: “Never Surrender”
Once thought to be history when several members relocated to the Pacific Northwest, Paper Scissors reformed in 2009. For 2010, this trio created “Never Surrender,” an album of well-crafted indie-rock that borrows easily from ’60s bubblegum and psych, surf music, ’80s new wave, garage rock and timeless pop and soul. Besides guitars, bass and drums, the band melds vocal harmonies, keyboards, organ, synthesizers, electronic sounds, accordion and pedal steel into a varied sound that manages to sound relevant from end to end. It’s a strong mix of songs with intelligent, visual lyrics that easily could get stuck on repeat.
Emily Anderson: “Emily Anderson”
Emily Anderson might be better known as part of trio Xtra-Tuffs, but she has been playing her (mostly) solo piano compositions at open mic nights around town for the past few years. Her eponymous release is her debut and shifts from classically tinged numbers to indie rock and singer-songwriter-styled compositions. The album is well-arranged, with slower numbers offset with faster or more challenging selections that keep the listener’s interest through out. Anderson’s lyrics are varied, moving from playful and relaxed to introspective and touching, casting about teenage aspirations and mature vision. Sounding at times like Carole King and at other times like Tori Amos, Anderson — who will be attending Berklee College of Music in Boston next year — is off to a nice start.
Mariah Ver Hoef: “Space Between Two Worlds”
Still in her teens, Mariah Ver Hoef released her third album in 2010. Unlike the first two, which were more along the lines of innocent folk in terms of both performance and lyrics, here Ver Hoef shows a more grown-up side. Lyrically, she still casts a fine eye toward the wonders of our northern natural environment, but she also touches on relationships and growing up. Her voice, always a fine quality, has deepened ever so slightly, but she still sounds angelic at times, playful at others, especially when she sings in a whimsical, carefree style. Overall, the album is less folk and more pop-oriented with “thicker” songs filled out with percussion from Pat Fitzgerald and bass by Robin Dale Ford (and her brother Lander on “Happily Ever After”). Ver Hoef will be opening for the Indigo Girls Jan. 1 at The Blue Loon.
907Britt: “Continental Divide”
Singer-songwriter Britt Arnesen made the decision several years ago to devote herself to making music. She has worked tirelessly at writing, recording, promoting and gigging, and her immersion in the craft has paid off. “Continental Divide” features 12 original tracks examining — with humor, sadness or wry insight — life, love, family and travel. Arnesen effortlessly mixes elements of folk, country and bluegrass for a solid album of well-constructed catchy numbers.
Contact features editor Glenn BurnSilver at
459-7510.
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