Joseph Barjack: Puzzle Factory

JOSEPH BARJACK: Puzzle factory (NEAT/BEAT)

Punk acoustic experimental; Bad Religion

This CD is a solo “low rent production” by Joseph Barjack, who also sings, plays guitars and does tape loops. Barjack is a marginal in the music business and some of the songs have a political content (5, 7). He is an artist full of creativity with pleasant melodies, explorations in noise and crafted lyrics. Track 3 has “sexual sounds”; he asks: “when will sound become regulated?”

Web Page

Kojak: A Radar for Karma

KOJAK: A Radar for Karma.

Alternative, grunge.

From top of the indie charts to MTV stardom, these former Army guys raised in different countries bring “angry guitars and silly melodies.” A somewhat negative vision of the world is offered, occasionally in a political background. Recorded in Germany and produced by Wade Norton (NRG Studios).

Web Page.

Space.

The Lost Revival: Homemade Confetti

THE LOST REVIVAL: Homemade Confetti (Champion of the Arts)

“Bastardized Americana;” Wilco, New Pornographers, Iron & Wine, Silver Jews.

This debut album by 7-piece band from Columbus, Ohio, is surprisingly solid. Pungent guitars, keys, harmonica, blend and provide the background for singer Kevin Collins’ raspy voice. Many of the members are multi instrumentalists and very crafted musicians.

Space.

Jessica Lea Mayfield

JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD: With Blasphemy So Heartfelt. (Polymer)

Indie; folk; Jollie Holland

At 8 she began playing with her family band One Way Rider (progressive bluegrass); at 18 this is her debut album. The music has been defined as “little country, little indie-rock, and a whole lot of indefinable” and “Hope Sandoval meets Jim James meets Neko Case.” Dan Auerbach, from Black Keys, plays several instruments and is the producer.

Space

Cephas & Wiggins: Richmond Blues

CEPHAS & WIGGINS: Richmond Blues

This is a historical music document from the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Acoustic blues, defined as Piedmont Blues, “Piedmont” being “The foothills of the Appalachians running from Richmond to Atlanta”. Music for all-night parties with wizards of guitar and harp. Some songs have North Carolina ties.

Web Page

Video

Lipbone Redding: Party on the Fire Escape.

LIPBONE REDDING: Party on the Fire Escape (Bepop Records)

Soul, funk; Hobex

This native of NC used to play at the New York subway; later he traveled to South America and to India. What you hear is not a trombone but mouth-made sounds: the “Lipbone”. He plays guitar too and fuses soul, funk, blues, New Orleans music. The “orchestra” is made up of two more guys: Rich Zukor in drums and Jeff Eyrich in upright bass.

Web Page

Space