Human BellHuman Bell (Thrill Jockey)This disc sounds like a cross between local favorites Lungfish and Arbouretum for good reason: Dave Heumann fronts Arbouretum and Nathan Bell played bass in...
Cyrus Chestnut, Celebration, and the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra
Cyrus ChestnutCyrus Plays Elvis (Koch)A few years back, Chestnut raised eyebrows by recording a disc of tunes by Pavement, indie rock darlings from the 1990’s. A quartet session that also featured...
The BridgeThe Bridge (Hyena)On the local scene, The Bridge could be voted most likely to headline Bonnaroo. With that in mind, it might be tempting to label the group as a bunch of jam band...
Floratone, various artists, and The Swingin' Swamis
FloratoneFloratone (Blue Note)A collaboration between guitarist Bill Frisell, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and producers Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine, Floratone deftly balances improvisation and...
The Brass Uncle BandThree Mobtown Gallons (self-released)The sound conjured by this Baltimore trio virtually embodies the city's geographic locale. Equal parts northern garage rock and southern...
Page France...and the Family Telephone (Suicide Squeeze)It's hard to believe Baltimore could produce a band that sounds this joyful. Like the anti-Wire, these 14 bouncy songs make the most of...
Sandy Asirvatham, Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band, and J Roddy Walston and the Business
Sandy AsirvathamMemoir (Jazz Grrl)A former City Paper columnist, Asirvatham abandoned a novel-in-progress to focus on composing and performing her own music. Although Asirvatham is an award-winning...
Dan DeaconSpiderman of the Rings (Carpark)Deacon may the hardest working and biggest hearted artist on the local electronic music scene. As you read this, he's crisscrossing the country—playing...
Lafayette Gilchrist, Various Artists, and Chris Vazquez
Lafayette Gilchrist3 (Hyena)This disc is a departure from pianist Gilchrist's earlier work. As the title implies, it's a trio effort—piano, bass, and drums—without the horn section that's been...
The JennifersColors from the Future (Beef Platter)This disc's cover art, a photo of a carefully constructed landscape of gumdrops, hints at the sugar-rush exuberance that infuses the Jennifers'...
