Scarlxrd
9
Immxrtalisatixn
Lemoyne Alexander Solitude
8
Island Records Producer: Nuixge
Isotopia Records Producer: Lemoyne Alexander
A year and a half after Xxxtentacion’s untimely death, British rapper Scarlxrd has slowly begun to fill the void that he left behind for many American hip-hop fans who still prefer a dark brand of trap metal mixed with a dose of SoundCloud rap. ImmxrtalIsatixn is the third studio release from Scarlxrd. The 25-year-old rapper screams his lungs out on nearly all 24 of the album’s tracks. Rap metal songs like “Kill Cxnfirmed” and “Ask” are standouts. But the highlight is when Scarlxrd temporarily switches gears, vocally, from his signature death growl to a contemporary rap delivery in the trap rap song “Nx Lxve.” – Miguel Costa
The former St8 of Grace frontman steps out with a true solo project. And by “solo” we mean written, produced and all vocals and instruments totally performed by Alexander himself. It’s a full album’s worth of fresh, original rock, with a pop and slightly R&B edge. Tracks like “Cookie Jar” and “Black Dress” recall the energy of Lenny Kravitz or Living Color’s Corey Glover. There are also slower, soulful ballads on here, as well, such as “Why Does it Hurt So Bad” and “Please Forgive Me.” Most of the tunes are built around strong hooks and lush harmonies, with the exception of “Hollywood Boulevard,” which also features some ripping lead guitar work. – Eric Harabadian
Noël Wells
Debbie Joyce
8
It’s So Nice!
1356704 Records DK2 Producer: Chris Nelson It’s So Nice!—the debut album from actress, writer, director, and comedian Noël Wells—is everything a nostalgic, bluesy record should be. The album squishes in the warm duvet of melancholy, then reminds us that the romanticization she’s built isn’t healthy. Wells really thrives in this wrestle with her brain, heart, femininity, external success, and personal aesthetic expectations with “Silverlake,” “Star,” and title track, “It’s So Nice!” (bonus: there’s a brighter B-side “It’s So Nice” sans-exclamation point, that puts her shiny star boots back on the ground). The album is honest, lovely, achey and a hard introspective pill to swallow. – Elena Ender
Sarah Rogo
8
Smoke and Water Funzalo Records Producer: David Ricketts
This debut from Sarah Rogo blends acoustic-based originals, with fresh takes on trad fare. There are really strong emotionally invested tunes like “Pieces” and the lilting Patsy Cline-tinged “Here Goes Nothing.” The title track explores poetic storytelling and superb National steel slide work. Rogo also employs her deep orchestral background, with a clarinet interlude on a minor key version of Carole King’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” In addition, the maverick troubadour brings something special and revelatory, with a contemplative arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and a rootsy New Orleans-like Hendrix redux on “Voodoo Child.” – Eric Harabadian
Between The Buried & Me The Great Misdirect (re-release)
Craft Recordings (originally on Victory Records) Producer: Jamie King
10
It’s been a decade since BTBAM’s 6-track opus, The Great Misdirect. To celebrate, the band are re-releasing it on double vinyl––no surround sound edition this time. Each song is still worth its weight in progmetal gold, whether it’s the bass licks n’ cowbells in “Disease, Injury, Madness,” the turn-based solos on the 18-minute “Swim to the Moon,” or guitarist Paul Waggoner’s twangy, rich vocal on “Desert of Song.” Perhaps because it was ahead of its time, or because it was a follow-up to the genre bending Colors, this album has never gotten the critical attention it deserves. Here’s hoping the re-release exposes its perfection. – Andy Mesecher
Dedicated To Nancy: The Show Goes On…
7
Summit Records Exec Producer: Tyrone D. Mitchell, PH.D In a tribute to her late aunt, Nancy Wilson, Debbie Joyce has served up a collection of tasty standards by Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and Sammy Cahn. Scanning like a live performance, with a core backing trio, Joyce moves through each number with ease and consistency. The breezy “Back In Your Backyard” establishes the tenor of the CD, while the sultry “You Don’t Know What Love Is’’ propels you to reach for that scotch and soda. The arrangements perfectly complement Joyce’s voice, though at times there is a desire to see her step out of her comfort zone. Kudos to her for keeping these great songs alive. – Ellen Woloshin
Mark Winkler I’m With You
7
Café Pacific Producers: Mark Winkler & Dolores Scozzesi LA and NYC jazz scene stalwart and contemporary West Coast Cool purveyor Mark Winkler has dipped into the hipster catalog of legendary “Route 66” cat Bobby Troup before (on 2002’s Mark Winkler Sings Bobby Troup), but the cleverly imaginative singer-songwriter ups his game considerably on this long awaited sequel. It’s a unique gathering of freshly re-imagined tunes featuring eight new recordings, three prime selections from the earlier set, a soft-spoken Trouper from a previous Winkler disc and a lush original ballad, penned with pianist Rich Eames—inspired by Troup’s one-of-a-kind lyrical wordplay. – Jonathan Widran
Peter Laughner Peter Laughner
8
Smog Veil Records Producers: Frank Mauceri, Mary Ann Livchak, Nick Blakey This 5 LP/6 CD box set is the loving, meticulous and fascinating excavation of a ghost. Laughner was an intrinsic member and driving force of the Cleveland scene as it morphed into the punk rock that took hold in New York City at places like CBGBs. As chronicled here, Laughner was an exceptional folk and blues player who fell under the sway of The Stones, Lou Reed, and Television. A founder of the legendary Pere Ubu and Rocket From The Tombs, these (often raw) demos and live recordings show the incandescent talents of an artist who sadly fell victim to addiction and death before emerging as the next Richard Hell? Jim Carroll? Truly tantalizing...! – David Arnson
To be considered for review in the Album Reviews section, you must have a record deal with a major label or an independent label with an established distributor. If you do not, please see our New Music Critiques section.
46 November 2019
musicconnection.com
