Jon Sobel's reviews of music releases from independent artists and labels, collected and published about twice a month.
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The names have been deleted to protect the stupid.
Former Kronos Quartet cellist Joan Jeanrenaud releases her first solo CD of all original compositions.
Anya Singleton rocks with soul, while Emory Joseph applies a youthful bounce to the Garcia-Hunter canon.
From bluegrass and reggae jams to alt-country and "three-minute" pop, this week's round-up has something for nearly everyone.
Womblike melodies and lush yet elemental arrangements trick out Gandalf Murphy's excellent new disc.
The Rolling Stones' keyboardist may be a "musicians' musician," but there's something for almost everyone on his new two-CD live set.
Rootsy, southern-fried blues doesn't come much more boggy than this.
Two re-releases document the influential British bluesman's creative reinvention in 1969.
The Stone Coyotes' stark naturalness is what makes them so good.
The poetry of 21st century disillusionment, packed neatly into a plastic disc.
Josh Fix's densely produced, rocking, accessible pop will remind some listeners of Ben Folds.
Leah-Carla Gordone's best songs are whizzing worlds of twelve-string soulfulness.
Who but Sky Cries Mary could make a compelling chorus with just the words "Here comes the 5 Train"?
Alex Nackman crafts shimmery, hooky songs; The Handcuffs combine 80's new wave with 00's crunch on their catchy, highly appealing tracks.
Steve Northeast crafts energetic and emotional hard rock songs loaded with raspy guitars and cataclysmic rhythms.
Four American artists who break boundaries.
A founder of Jay and the Americans and the musical force behind American Hot Wax talks doo-wop and his new CD.
Jon McKiel's dark alt-rock is just the thing for driving around the city streets in an angry mood.
There's so much emotion in Laura Aidanblaise's voice you worry she's about to implode.
Kenny Vance brings the teen-inspired wails of doo-wop comfortably into the 21st century.