Don’t confuse this performance with bands such as The Spill Canvas and Canvas. Brett Driscoll is referring to painting a story on the soul.

“Why Did You Do It?” (2008) is soothing, quality music of the acoustic variety, as is “Had Enough” (2007). Key to the success of this easy-listening, night-drive type of music: clean guitar. This music hits me as uncluttered. I’m not sure there is another word that fits better. This listener does like the unpretentious solo in “Had Enough.” I also enjoy the way the harmony blends, as the vocals drift in.

“Still the Same” (2008) has a bit different feel, from the start. The guitar is obviously using effects, which are still under control. Try out “Change” (2007) for the addition of keyboard to The Canvas Within.

The music appears on the indie label Lowstring Records. Members of the “group” are Brett Driscoll and Sweens. (I’d like to know more about that last one.) Driscoll lists influence as “Too Many To Name.”

Here’s some of the marketing information from the Web site:

“Coming out of Rochester in Upstate New York, Canvas Within is the newest project formed by Brett Driscoll and Sweens. As a two-man collaboration Canvas Within has written, recorded and produced all material independently with the help of Rochester’s own Dom Ciaccia on drums.” The boys report that all of their songs “have been recorded/produced at Studio 13 – House of Hooligans (aka the home studio.)”

I have to agree with Driscoll and Sweens that we might want to spend a bit more time listening and less time trying to categorize. Experience, that’s the ticket.

The Canvas Within on MySpace

[tags]canvas within[/tags]

I could listen to “Get You Back” from airplane noise (2008 Back To Work) again. Maybe even another time after that. It’s not hard to listen to. That might actually turn a few folks away. It is rather “pop-like.” The musicianship is not really a question, though, for my money, I’d buy something with a bit more edge.

From their Web marketing information, “Back to Work Records is proud to announce the release of airplane noise’s self-titled, debut EP. The inimitable airplane noise has crafted an album’s worth of quirky and earnest indie, power pop songs that convey a longing for love, sobriety, and even some shuteye. The five-song EP showcases the band’s playful, yet introspective lyrics and buoyant, yet plaintive vocals against a musical landscape filled with horns, keyboards, guitars, strings, ukuleles, and other various instrumentation.”

Fair enough. But the two tunes I was able to connect with aren’t quite enough. Maybe five will do it. If you are interested, check with www.backtoworkrecords.com.

Band members are: Kevin Centofanti, Bass, Keyboard, Vocals; John McMonagle, Keyboard, Trombone, Vocals; Mike Mikowicz, Drums, Accordion; Warren Miller, Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele, Keyboard.

I like the brief list of influences:The Beatles. The Beach Boys. The Who. Weezer. It’s a bit unfortunate that the group admits to sounding like others, without insisting that they sound like themselves. But it’s a great list of folks to sound like.

Airplane Noise on MySpace

[tags]airplane noise[/tags]

Fans of hip-hop will love this young performer, who also bills himself as working in the industrial and experimental music areas.

Adrian H. Molina’s new collection Up Before the Sunrise (2008 CHiTT Productions) is apparently the work of a “sucka free writer, mic ripper, poet, and performance artist.” He says, “Artistically, my loyalty lies with Dustin Neal and Will Ross. We don’t give a CHiTT if our sound ain’t bourgeois–It still kicks ass.”

The tune, “Skydreamer” from this new CD is also hip-hop, but I must admit there is some nice instrumentation behind the vocals. The extra vocals are nice.

“Beyond Sundown” has an eerie feel to it. It also reminds this listener to some of the late night sound-track music you hear on high-budget movies starring Pierce Brosnan or Bill Murray (Lost in Translation). I’m not sure why it brings that to mind.

Molina lists influences such as “poets, painters, musicians, free thinkers who don’t conform to the mold, people who openly criticize power structures without apologies, chile rellenos and fresh fish, a good cheap bottle of wine, visions, water, swaying trees, abstract conceptions of reality.”

Maybe it’s best to just leave it at this- rap, hip-hop, the non-singing genres have to be about the lyrics, the meaning of the words. Molina says, I’m not your average emcee. My music doesn’t sound like traditional Hip-Hop, much less a classic fusion of Rock and Hip-Hop. It’s raw, fresh, and creative.”

Fine. Check him out in the great western states.

Adrian H. Molina at MySpace

[tags]adrian h molina[/tags]

For this listener’s money, the new CD Deep in Debt (2008 V A V V Records) is fun and educational at the same time. Really, “Columbina” is great listening, and I learned that this guy sings so much like John Prine it’s frightening (that’s the educational part). But I like it!

According to Web site information, “The Middle Class signed a recording contract with Los Angeles based record label, V A V V Records, and they recently released their debut album, ‘Deep in Debt.’” It’s all things – New Grass, Old-Timey, Folk, Back Porch Pickin’….choose your favorite name for this kind of music.

Members are Matt Doherty – acoustic guitar, vocals; Clem Jeffreys – trumpet, flugelhorn, harmonica, washboard, vocals; and Ben Morey – lead guitar.

I would have to agree with the album review by Kelly Dearmore (Twangville.com and Gobblersknob.com). It’s good to hear talented musicians taking up the banner of American music. (Personal note: This writer is a fan of Old Crow Medicine Show, as well as John Prine and John Hartford). Yet Dearmore catches the “west coast” feel or style as well. Listen to the horns, for instance. This additional taste is added by new band members and those working for the CD. Look for the names Shawn Cunnane, Justin C. Carney, Trevor Thornton and Robin Wiley in connection with The Middle Class.

Good stuff, with room to grow.

The Middle Class at MySpace

[tags]the middle class[/tags]