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Written by Gregg Shapiro
Jun 2, 2011
Ariel Aparicio performs on the Rainbow Stage at Milwaukee PrideFest on June 11. – Photo: Courtesy
Ariel Aparicio
Ariel Aparicio, a perennial favorite on LOGO’s Click List, is known for his dazzling reinventions of popular ’80s tunes such as “Pretty In Pink” and “People Who Died.” He returns with the nine-track “Aerials” (Rock Ridge Music), a disc of original material. You can hear an updated ’80s influence on “Love Left Bleeding,” with its fierce bass line and rocking beat. The same holds true for “Tattered Heart,” which sounds like it should be a hit for the dance crowd. When he slows it down, as he does on “Caroline,” Aparicio demonstrates his versatility.
Brady Earnhart
Out singer/songwriter/poet Brady Earnhart begins his third album “So Few Things” (City Salvage) on an unexpectedly jazzy note with “Wild Nights,” an Emily Dickinson poem set to music. An admirable effort, the song would have been a better way to close the disc, because it might be off-putting to listeners who know Earnhart for his flawless folk tunes. The good news is that redemption occurs quickly on the marvelous second track “Daniel.” This is precisely the kind of folk-pop – with brass (!) – that we’ve come to treasure from Earnhart. And he doesn’t disappoint with the stripped-down (you can’t go wrong with an acoustic guitar and whistling) “Elkton,” “It’s Not Love,” the lovely love songs “This Time” and “Lullaby,” the sexy “Train” and the sly humor of “Getting’ Up Guy.”
Tom Goss
“It’s All Over,” the opening track from gay singer/songwriter (and Kenosha native) Tom Goss’ new album “Turn It Around” (tomgossmusic.com), gets the disc off to a righteous rock start. It’s far from over after that. “Shady Dell” has an irresistible beat to accompany its illuminating lyrics, while “Spaces Unseen” and “Two Steps From You” are love songs unlike any you may have heard before. The buoyant title cut is as radio-friendly as the disc gets.
Chris Riffle
Chris Riffle has been busy. In 2010 he released his ironically titled second disc “Introducing … Chris Riffle” (chrisriffle.com) and followed it up in 2011 with the five-song EP “I Am Not From Here” (chrisriffle.com). An NYC transplant, Riffle has a warm vocal style that effortlessly communicates the emotional energy of his songs. Working with a stellar cast of supporting musicians, including Ollabelle’s Jimi Zhivago, the Mars Volta’s Blake Fleming and Antony & the Johnsons’ Julia Kent, Riffle’s compositions are distinctively and stunningly brought to life. “Introducing” highlights include “Catch The Wind,” “Younger Years,” “Just Assume,” “Walk Away” and “Light and Water.” The standouts on the EP are the title track and “Downstream,” both of which introduce a Casio into the instrumentation, and “February.”
Garrin Benfield
In response to the “age of tracks,” Garrin Benfield’s bare-bones song cycle “The Wave Organ Song” (garrin.com) consists of a baker’s dozen guitar and vocal songs. This is a stripped-down, intimate and confident affair with nothing to distract the listener from the music. Aside from the 13th song being a cover of Alex Chilton’s “Thirteen,” the remaining compositions are Benfield originals, including two collaborations. Highlights are “Moanin’ Low,” “No Compass,” “Are You With Me” and “Mexico.”
Danny Katz
Last but not least, “Japanese Satellites” (dannykatzmusic.com) by Danny Katz uses humor to get the message across on songs such as “I’ll Pretend,” “Passover,” “Limitation,” “Breakfast” and “Magnificently Lonely.” Katz also has a serious side, which comes through on “Sacramento,” “Bushwick,” “Modesto,” “Taipei” and “Boston” (does anyone else see a pattern here?).
