As we approach the end of the year, there is some new and not-so-new music deserving of your attention. So let’s take a look at what a few of our local musicians have been up to. And remember, music always makes a nice holiday gift. You can find most of these releases on Bandcamp.com.
‘Everything Is Not Going to be Alright’ by Buzzard
Buzzard is the project of Christopher Thomas Elliott, who you may know from the indie folk duo Austin & Elliott. This is Elliott’s fourth Buzzard record, and like those earlier releases, this seven-song EP falls under the genre of doom folk, a folk metal hybrid with the emphasis on storytelling. Not only is he extremely prolific working in this genre having released all his Buzzard recordings within a two-year period, he’s also making quite a name for himself with fans of this music.
“Everything Is Not Going to Be Alright” is a protest album that finds Elliott strongly expressing his anger and frustration over the state of our country. Song titles like “Screaming into the Void” and “Take the Tyrant Down” are a good indication of how he’s feeling.
“This Land is Your Land (Until It’s Not)” opens the record with a thundering guitar sound reminiscent of Black Sabbath. It leads into “This land is your land until it’s not/ Squandering the freedom for which our fathers fought/ We slip a shiny golden coin into the slot/The mansion high up on the hill collapses from the rot/Stand up and fight/ Everything is not going to be alright.”
It’s a fierce song that nicely sets the tone for the rest of the disc. But beyond the fuzzy guitar and pounding percussion, there’s some nice acoustic guitar on tracks like “Doom Folk Fury,” a number that showcases how folk metal blend makes for an interesting and compelling listen. Elliott has said that making this recording was a cathartic experience, and hopefully, you will find it equally cathartic to listen to. Best if played loud.
‘So Little, Close to Nothing’ by Joshua David Thayer
Joshua David Thayer first made his mark performing in other people’s bands, most notably playing bass for local favorites Fancy Trash. After stepping away from the scene for a while, he reemerged last year with his solo debut, “It Will Still Keep Feeling Rough.” The album, exploring themes of loss, showcases Thayer’s versatility as he played every instrument and recorded the project in his own home studio.
Earlier this month, he released his follow-up album, “So Little, Close to Nothing.” Now more confident as a solo artist, he explores a wider range of sounds and even gets experimental at times. Thayer still records at home and plays most of the instruments, but this time he also gets some help. Jason Smith adds drums and percussion throughout, and Tracy Grammer plays fiddle on “Get Down.”
The disc gets off to a strong start with “We Won’t Relent,” a song so immediately catchy that it draws the listener in, then he shifts to “Pulled and Pushed,” an eerie synth-driven number that evolves into a full-out rocker. His more experimental side surfaces on “Pay,” a song whose only lyrics are “I want no harm to come to you/But I hope you pay for the things that you did,” repeated over and over before bursting into a haunting instrumental elevated by some nice acoustic guitar.
On the 10 tracks here, Thayer weaves a tapestry of styles and textures while keeping the collection cohesive. Overall, a strong sophomore release that shows his growth as an artist.
‘Don’t Fall in Love’ by Our Three
Our Three brings together George Lanides on vocals and guitar, Bill Howard on vocals and bass, and Kaci Ruh on vocals. Just last month, they released heir debut album, “Don’t Fall in Love.”
Their six-song EP, expertly produced and recorded by Matt Hebert (Haunt, Ware River Club), is a collection of irresistible folk-rock-pop songs that benefit from their supreme catchiness and smooth harmonies. The trio is joined by other local musicians, including Jason Smith on drums, Paul McNamara on organ, and Bob Hennessey on lead guitar and lap steel.
The title track isa breezy upbeat song of heartbeat, that would sound at home blaring out of a jukebox from an earlier era. “Hey, Sharon” shimmers with jangly guitars reminiscent of R.E.M., and benefit’s from Hennessey’s pedal steel. “Desert Rose” has a slow country feel with some nice guitar work. Each track showcases Lanides’ sharp songwriting and serves as a great introduction to the band. Here’s hoping more is on the way.
Our Three will be at Luthier’s Co-op in Easthampton on Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.
‘Big Hug: The Ray Mason Birthday Jukebox’ by various artists
As a surprise for his 75th birthday, a host of local musicians each contributed their cover of one of Ray Mason’s songs and presented him with this collection. Considering Mason has been making music since the mid-1960s, there were a lot of songs to choose from.
The album features 38 tracks from a wide range of artists, like Henning Ohlenbusch, Matt Hebert, Jake Manzi and many others.
It’s fun to hear how each musician puts their own spin on Mason’s songs. For example, the Mal Thursday quintet rocks harder on “Excitement Transfusion” than the Ray Mason Band did on the original. Out Out gives “Took Too Much” an ’80s synth-pop sound, and Mark Mulcahy brings a jazzy feel to “When the Clown’s Work is Over.” Other highlights include Gabe Bernini’s take on “She’s Wearing Her Hair Like Donna Reed” and Philip Price and Flora Reed’s version of “Pretty Bye-Bye.”
“Big Hug” is an enjoyable listen and a testament to the songwriting talents of Mason and the impact he’s had on all these local musicians.
Ray Mason will perform at the A.P.E. Gallery in Northampton in Wednesday, Dec.31 at 5 p.m. as part of First Night Northampton.
‘For My Friend’ by Kim Chin-Gibbons
This is just a single, but I wanted to mention it because it deserves some attention.
Chin-Gibbons wrote this song to honor her friend and fellow musician Jana Ivanova Abramowitz, who was murdered in Northampton in 2022. The two became friends while attending North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens and the Institute for the Musical Arts in Goshen.
Singing in a slow, soft voice, Chin-Gibbons delivers lines like: “I would do anything to see you come running,” accompanying herself on guitar. The song is filled with raw, honest emotion as Chin-Gibbons struggles to come to terms with with such a heartbreaking loss. Be sure to watch the accompanying video filmed and edited by Tobias LaMontage as it captures the song’s somber beauty.
Available at kim-chin-gibbons.com.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.