CD Review: Art Decade's 'Western Sunrise'

Art Decade
Western Sunrise
Eldest Only Recordings

The progressive/experimental rock music of Boston's Art Decade is something that is turning the world of contemporary music upside-down. The plethora of sounds, stemming mainly from punk/classical/rock avenues of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, contain a heady mix of soaring vocals, wailing guitars, brashy strings, and pulsating rhythms. They admit influences as diverse as David Bowie, Radiohead, The Mars Volta, and The Muse. Art Decade's instrumental repertoire consists of strings, durms, bass, and guitars. The powerful strings and static-driven guitars provides a sense of urgency that is musical and magical. "A Lie" is a loud, string-based medley with electronic vocals performed in an exciting manner with a bit of a dance beat. "Western Sunrise" contains lively strings and a patriotic melody in-between the vocal parts. "Breeze" contains spacious, guitar echoes, and scintillating strings with airy vocals. "Steam Punk Sticker War" is a thrashy mix of futuristic punk with a dose of acoustic metal that is very good. "Kids and Kings" adds a little punk to the table with vocals similar in style to McFly and similar groups. Whatever you call it, Art Decade is nothing short of a work of 'art'. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Che Sudaka's '10'

Che Sudaka
10
Cavernicola Records

The assembly of Argentinian and Colombian musicians based in Barcelona, Spain, continue to brighten up the world music and punk-folk genres with their characteristic party sound and South American-inspired rhythms. The punk-rap style of "C'est plus beau" contains blaring horns, harmonies, and a party-dance rhythm that is extremely infectious. "Inmigrant Soul" is a great tune with luscious harmonies, a bit of electronica, and accordion amidst a catchy melody in a similar way to the South Pacific's Te Vaka. It is one of the best songs on the album, but "Desearia," "Ya nunca me veras caer," "Stress," "Crisis de amor," and "Hombre libre" are close behind. There are a number of styles and influences included here with ska, reggae, jazz, folk, dance, rumba, Latin, and light punk-rap winning out. This is one of the best contemporary recordings to come out of Spain in recent memory. It is titled 10, because it is a 10. Liner notes are included for the song lyrics. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Young Dubliners - Saints and Sinners

Young Dubliners
Saints and Sinners
Savoy Jazz

This latest offering from American Irish-punk-folk band Young Dubliners will not disappoint. The music is energetic and full of both contemporary and traditional Irish influences. Manyof the songs are mid-tempo and a bit more restrained than on the band's previous album With All Due Respect. Still, Young Dubliners manage to maintain the momentum throughout these songs about love, loss, workers, and life in general. Fans of Waterboys, The Pogues, and early U2 should give Young Dubliners a listen.
~ Paula E. Kirman