'Transference of Ions'
Sadhill Records

Justin Carloni took three years to complete his last recording, but found new focus this past February when he recorded an entire CD in 28 days.

Sometimes you want a multi-grain veggie wrap with a side salad and low-fat dressing. Sometimes you just want nachos from 7-Eleven, complete with a pump of that thick yellow “cheese.” So it goes with music, too. Each has its place.
 

While Craving’s new CD, “February,” is primarily guitar-driven rock in the vein of early REM or other early 1980s college rock staples, the 10-song CD features a dynamic range of styles and instrumentation, from the folkier, mandolin-infused “Salmon Falls” to the hauntingly beautiful, piano-laced ballad “Fade” to the politically charged “Paper Dragons.”The first two songs reel the listener in with their hook-laden choruses. The melodic “Cold Water” features edgy, driving guitar, and on the up-tempo, reflective “Done & Gone,” drummer Scott Harris and  bassist/vocalist Brian Scanlon combine for particularly pulverizing rhythm section work.

On their new self-released CD “Crossing Painted Islands,” 35th Parallel skillfully mines the Middle East’s rich musical culture. The 15-song disc is a mix of traditional Turkish and Armenian instrumentals, along with plenty of original compositions that are mostly in that region’s style, too.