CD Review: Nikhil Karula's 'Solo Sessions'

Nikhil Karula
Solo Sessions
Groove Infinity Records

The California-based pop/rock jam band, Nikhil Karula, brings us Dave Matthews Band-esque melodies and some vocals. Nikhil is the lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist, and electric guitarist. He is joined by Ray Bergstrom on lead electric guitar, Matt Spencer on bass, Adam Gust on drums, Zane Musa on sax, and Chris Lovejoy on percussion. The five-track release, opens with "Spark." The tune is rather mellow with fluid sounds and a jam band presence. "He Said, She Said" is a more laid-back tune with light guitar accompaniment and soft sax with equally soft vocals. "Broken Roads" begins with a B3-type sound and Southern-tinged guitar accompaniment. This is a Southern rock anthem that is unique and fresh. "Silent Tears" is a rather pensive pop song with a somber tone on violin and piano. "Fade Away" is an uppity jam tune with lively guitar, percussion, and vocals. The instrumentation overall is rather memorable and varied. Some of the vocals are a bit forced in some places, but it is nothing too difficult to swallow overall. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Oh, Jeremiah's 'Tall Tales And Tiny Fables'

Oh, Jeremiah
Tall Tales And Tiny Fables
Self-Release

The lyrical wordplay of bluegrass-esque and folksy pop singer, composer, and guitarist, Oh, Jeremiah, dazzles audiences with sheer sincerity and catchy melodies on his new five-track release, Tall Tales And Tiny Fables. Based in Mississippi, Oh, Jeremiah brings carefree vocals to the mix with sweeping guitar tunes, wavering strings, and some percussion. "Better Man" is an uppity tune with a bluegrass or folk presence. "Circles" is an acoustic treasure with vocal similarities to Dave Matthews and Australia's Xavier Rudd. "Happy Now" brings a sort of new age pop presence to the forefront with a light rock beat without electric guitars and the usual angst-ridden characteristics. The choppy beat and punchy string accompaniment makes the song shine with elements of neo-classicism, folk, contemporary pop, and new age. "Mississippi, I'm Yours" opens with a jaunty acoustic guitar, lead and backup vocals, and a void of percussion. This a memorable tune with slow, string accompaniment. There is a good degree of melancholy throughout the album. "The Scariest Thing" contains some percussion and alt-rock ambiance with some strings and folk-pop charm with piano accompaniment. With vocals akin to Dave Matthews, Xavier Rudd, and R.E.M., Oh, Jeremiah promises to astound all who seek good folk music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Optic Yellow Felt's Self-Titled Release

Optic Yellow Felt
Optic Yellow Felt
Catapult

The Brazilian sextet consisting of Victor Nader (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Nando Morsani (back-up vocals, piano), Ricardo Pires (back-up vocals, sax), Eduardo Marson (back-up vocals, guitar), Tiago B. (back-up vocals, drums), and Lino Nader (back-up vocals, bass), create enthralling music that is eclectic, classy, quirky, and avant-garde. The lead vocals are quite akin to Dave Matthews. Moreover, the light drum percussion, sax embellishments, airy flute sounds, and oveall arrangements are not too far off from the instrumental repertoire of the Dave Matthews Band. The jazzy and plaintive guitar stylings of "Close To Sadness" is especially avant-garde. The light and wispy vocals ambulate along with quirky effervescence. There are piano moments and accordion-like embellishments that appear. "Let You Wonder" is an uppity tune with jaunty guitar work and punchy percussion with a slight Soweto lean via Rio de Janeiro. "So Complex" is a soulful piano ballad with vocals nearly out of breath, but the entire song is under one-minute in length.     
"Don't Bend" is an anthemic tune with lush guitar work, punchy sax, and quirky noises. There are glistening sounds and catchy melodies on this somewhat avant-garde release. Despite the unusual band name, the group comes out ahead without any missteps. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Annbjorg Lien's 'Khoom Loy'

Annbjorg Lien
Khoom Loy
Compass Records

As a Norwegian fiddler and traditional musician, Annbjorg Lien has enthralled listeners throughout the world for years. Khoom Loy, which is Thai for 'Paper Lanterns,' is a fun romp throughout the Scandinavian and Celtic fiddling worlds with lively nyckelharpa, guitar, zither, banjo, pedal steel, B3, mellotron, bass, assorted percussion, and various brass. The songs are mostly instrumental, but Annbjorg's vocals on "Khoom Loy,'' suggest a strong folk influence. The jazzy, jam outro on "Natten" and "Needles Eye" are most akin to many of the Dave Matthews Band jam sessions with lively percussion, strings, and horns. The buzuq, bouzouki, tabla, sarod, and related instruments provide a Middle Eastern and South Asian element on "Den Storste Daarlighed" and "Til." There are spirited moments, contemplative melodies, and jazzy sounds that truly encapsulate the essence of world music today. Nothing is cheesy here. This is one of the best albums from Annbjorg's repertoire. ~ Matthew Forss