CD Review: Leslie DiNicola's 'Some Greener Yard'

Leslie DiNicola
Some Greener Yard
Self-Release

New York-based, Leslie DiNicola, brings us a set of five songs that display a poignant beauty the goes beyond simple vocals. Leslie's voice is a mix between Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin and Janis Joplin. "Stay" is a jaunty song with an upbeat folk and roots melody. "Weight" is a sauntering piano melody with a slow beat and progressive presence. "It's Alright" is a bluesy, roots-inspired voyage into the soul with reverberating organs, swishy percussion, and sweet vocals. "Shaky Wire" opens with a grungy guitar, bubbling organ sounds, and a classic folk-roots element resembling some of Shawn Colvin's earlier work. At any rate, Leslie knows how to evoke emotive works with words and musical arrangements. Every song is worthy of repeated listens. Life is greener in Leslie's yard. Push play now... ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Lisa Eastman's 'Jubilee'

Lisa Eastman
Jubilee
Self-Release

Lisa Eastman's new release, Jubilee, is a catchy, symphonic, and magical production that creates a sense of warmth, fun, and reflection. The Hebrew-inspired songs are all in English. The music is rather reflective of Celtic Woman with vocals like Nina Gordon and Susan Aglukark. There are additional vocals that reinforce the new age presence of the production. The lilting piano, booming percussion, and symphonic strings with keyboards makes the entire release shine with happiness. There are fourteen songs in all, which are rather diverse. However, each song gives us something new with more contemporary dance, as on "Road To Me," or more quiet reflection, as on "Storm." Lisa's floating vocals are heavenly, clear, and penetrating. This is not your average pop/rock release. In fact, Lisa presents such a fascinating combination of melodies, rhythms, and instrumentation that make every song entertaining. Anyone interested in good music will love it. The album is based on a year of emancipation and restoration provided by ancient Hebrew law to be kept every fifty years by the emancipation of Hebrew slaves for a season of celebration. Celebrate today with Lisa's remarkable Jubilee. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Steph Barrak's 'Words To Break Your Heart By'

Steph Barrak
Words To Break Your Heart By
Self-Release

Boston, MA-based singer and songwriter, Steph Barrak, creates spirited contemporary pop songs on this new eleven-track album, Words To Break Your Heart By. The gritty and warm guitar melodies of "Fossil Tears" contains heartfelt lyrics and folksy rhythms. "Married A Robber" provides a scintillating guitar melody with vocals indicative of Leigh Nash or early Shawn Colvin. "The Way You Make Me Smile" is a choppy tune with infectious pop hooks and smokey vocals accompanied by percussion and twangy rhythms. "Natural Progression" is an uppity tune with a steady guitar and percussion beat that is alternative from the onset to the end. "Painted Face" contains echoing guitars and an upbeat melody with highly-infectious vocals. "Connecticut" opens with another upbeat melody and soaring vocals that take a backseat on some lines, while the percussion takes over. Overall, fans of alternative pop and folk will love the music of Steph Barrak. Think Beth Orton meets Leigh Nash meets Shawn Colvin meets Suzanne Vega. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kati Mac's 'Save Me From Myself'

Kati Mac
Save Me From Myself
Self-Release

Kati Mac is a New York-based singer/songwriter with a stunning resemblance to Shawn Colvin's emotive folk voice and guitar tunings with a little Trish Murphy angst. The alt-country-Western style of "Bullet Hole Road" cements Kati's mark on the world of upbeat, folk-country music with swooning dobro, earthy guitars, steady percussion, and raw vocals. "He's Memory To Me Now" is a candid and quaint little tune with Kati's vocals backed by her acoustic guitar with additional instrumentation. "Lord Have Mercy On Me" is a bluesy track with Southern guitar sounds and reverberating keys. Kati's emotive voice traverses a varied vocal range with an uppity instrumental arrangement featuring gritty guitars, B3 sounds, and percussion. "The Wheel Goes Round" is a folksy, Western ditty with backup vocals and classic country instrumentation of strings, piano, tambourine, and a Southern Revival ambiance without twangy vocals. "Cold Day In Hell" features a few horns and Broadway-esque instrumental arrangements with B3 sounds and crackling percussion. Overall, Kati's thirteen-track release is an excellent examination of the folk-rock-country genre that is not too heavy on rock, country, or blues. It is just good music. Fans of Trish Murphy, Shawn Colvin, and related artists will love it. ~ Matthew Forss   

CD Review: Jesse Terry's 'Empty Seat On A Plane'

Jesse Terry
Empty Seat On A Plane
Self-Release

Jesse Terry's latest release of contemporary American folk-pop, Empty Seat On A Plane, traverses nostalgic folk styles of Ryan Adams and James Taylor, while forging his own path of light, roots-inspired folk-pop. There are also blues-tinged elements on some of the tracks. The bluesy, gospel-tinged "Bitterroot Valley," sets the standard for folk-blues with reverberating B3, grungy, sauntering electric guitars, strings, and soulful vocals. The folk-pop styles and vocals reflect a perfect male equivalent of Shawn Colvin's music. The scintillating "Scared Of Nothing," contains superb folk guitar leanings and alternative percussion that is dreamy and compelling. "Grace On A Train" contains tapping percussion, crystalline acoustic guitar strumming, and a few cymbal clangs near the end of the song. The entire song is rather reserved and slow in tempo. Nevertheless, the twelve songs represent a solid mix of acoustic folk-pop and Americana music in the vein of Shawn Colvin, Ryan Adams, Venice, and James Taylor. There would not be an empty seat anywhere Jesse Terry performs. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Meghan Cary's "Building This House''

Meghan Cary
Building This House

Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter, Meghan Cary, is a beacon of light in the world of female folk music. Building This House, which may seem like a nod to Shawn Colvin's These Four Walls, is vocally-similar to the likes of Stevie Nicks and Shawn Colvin. Domesticity references aside, Meghan produces an album that results from a culmination of life experiences--notably marriage, children, and home ownership. The Nicks-esque title track contains a peppy, folk melody with reverberating B-3 sounds, vocal interplay, and punchy bass lines. "Lost You In The Light" is a jazzy tune with piano and effervescent vocals resembling a classy, lounge song with pop standard written all over it. "Thursdays" is a folk tune with sparkling acoustic guitar sounds and Meghan's soulful voice from an angelic source. Moreover, the song can be played everyday of the week--not just on Thursdays. "Responsibility" is a bluesy tune that contains piano, percussion, and folksy guitar styles. This is a Colvin-esque tune. "Darker Song" opens with metallic percussion and deep, piano sounds with haunting vocals that are a departure from other tracks. Nevertheless, the song's Nicks-esque vocals are a throwback to classic folk music from the 1970s. The final track, "Live!," is an upbeat, folk tune with B-3 and good 'ol bluegrass/gospel charm. If female music fans add this one to their collections, then their house would be complete. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Parker Ainsworth 'Parker Loves You'

Parker Ainsworth

Parker Loves You

Self-Released

The classic folk crooner and SoCal resident, Parker Ainsworth, is a guitarist with a big heart and a big soul. The guitar, percussion, and piano, is more folk-based than blues on this five-song release. From the opening "Awake" to the final "Higher Up," it doesn't take long to draw vocal comparisons to the UK's David Gray and Australia's Xavier Rudd with the instrumental folk sensibilities of the earlier work of Shawn Colvin and the jazz-tinged pop of Sara Bareilles. "We Just Forgot" is an emotive ballad with smart lyrics and a sparkling piano melody with an equally entrancing rhythm. Parker Loves You is poignantly, albeit appropriately titled, because it is an infectious and golden album of intelligent folk tunes without reliance on today's electronic accompaniments, dance beats, or redundant hip hop beats. Furthermore, every song on this album is radio-friendly. Parker knows how to compose memorable songs that might resemble anything by Shawn Colvin, Xavier Rudd, David Gray, and other similar artists. Buy it today. Parker will love you for it! ~ Matthew Forss