Choice Cuts: May 2003 - Page 3

Highlight Tracks: "Taking Pills" and "Earthquake"

For More Info: Hit http://www.bitterbitterweeks.com or http://www.mypalgodrecords.com

Artist: BRADY BROCK

Album: Warm American Sweater

The Scoop: Reading the reviews of his debut album, last year's I Will Live In You Where Your Heart Used To Be, 25-year-old sensitive singer/songwriter Brady Brock realized his songs were kinda downers. His sophomore effort has a more conscientious warmth (note the title), but even so it starts off with the line "Why does this life seem like one big joke?" Suffice to say that Richard Yates was a major influence on the songwriting. Recuperation and new beginnings are running motifs. The music itself, though, brings in some sunshine through memorable guitar riffs and sweet harmonies. "Happiness" is an especially boisterous track and the short piano-and-vocals of "Something Missing" ends the album in an appropriate, cozily pining fashion. Brock enlisted the talents of a dynamite producing team, helmed up by Thom Monahan (whose impressive credits include Dinosaur Jr, Capitol Years and Beachwood Sparks) and including Brian McTear (see Bitter, bitter weeks review above).

Highlight Tracks: "Pasadena" and "You Will be a Skinny Ghost"

For More Info: Check out http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/label/brad...

Artist: CENTRAL FALLS

Album: Love and Easy Living

The Scoop: Picking up where 2002's comparably lovely Latitude ended, Love and Easy Living is a warm bubble bath or a lazy summer evening of an album, depending on your choice of cozy metaphor. Brothers Adam and Ben Vida know how to flirt with pop; they arrange their songs around lilting vocals and gently strumming guitars, but blur the edges to keep things from getting too neat. Central Falls set aside the pedal steel for this one and welcome Ryan Hembrey on organ and Wurlitzer. There aren't any instant singles here, just a conscientious threading of one song into the next, one tranquil moment into the next. The band shows a fondness both the modern avant-garde aspect of indie pop and, more so, the traditional, warm feel-goodness of classic rock from Steely Dan to George Harrison. Central Falls doesn't break any new ground with Love and Easy Living, but it was clear they had already found their voice with Latitude. Why tamper with the goods?

Highlight Tracks: "Weekenders" and "Don't Concern Yourself"

For More Info: Visit http://www.centralfallsmusic.com or http://www.truckstoprecords.com

Artist: JAMES COHEN

Album: High Side of Lowdown

The Scoop: Guitar heaven! Now on his third album, James Cohen is climbing into the company of the flamenco elite. I wince at the umbrella called "world music," but High Side of Lowdown is all the things that an album billing itself "world music" should be: diverse, steeped in tradition but not chained to it, and fueled by both raw talent and focused passion. Accompanying Cohen-and also contributing several songs of his own-is blues guitarist Tony D, who has a formidable reputation of his own. Richard Bell, best known for his work as Janis Joplin's pianist, produces and lends a hand on piano, keyboards and accordion. For his part, Cohen cites a number of guitarists as influences, from Paco De Lucia to Django Reinhardt to Keith Richards. That esteemed trio would no doubt derive considerable pleasure from this album; it serves as a celebration, ultimately, of the instrument itself and its still-captivating potential.