A round-up of recent local releases

‘Nightingales’ by Tiger Saw

The latest release from Newburyport-born musical collective Tiger Saw is an intoxicating ode to the night. The ever-shifting ensemble led by singer and guitarist Dylan Metrano showcases its ethereal, minimalist sound throughout 10 potent songs.

Metrano wrote all the music and lyrics with the exception of “Pink Lemonade,” by former Seacoast musician Jarid del Deo. Dedicated to former Seacoast resident Sidney Lindner—front man of departed band Hotel Alexis—the album has a mournful mood, loaded with nostalgia for places and faces of the past.

“Our city has changed so much. Was it ever a dirty old town? / Our friends they’ve all moved on, since last time that you were around. / Only darkness remains, ’cause only the night is unchanged,” Metrano sings on the opening track.

Released by Metrano’s own Burst & Bloom Records, the disc oozes with dreamlike reverb often embellished by gorgeous string arrangements, including violin (Lillian Harris and Clara Kebabian), cello (Jerusha Robinson and Emily Hope Price), and viola (MorganEve Swain).

Metrano gets help from Guy Capecelatro III and Christopher Holt on guitar, bass, keys and vocals. Emily and Glenn Forsythe offer mesmerizing harmony vocals, and Evan Orfanos has a steadily light presence on drums.

“Nightingale” is by and large a sleepy sort of album filled with dreamy lullabies, including the hypnotic instrumental “Japan.” But it concludes with the commanding “Purrr,” which introduces a slightly more aggressive sound.

Listeners can stream the entire album at www.burstandbloomrecords.com. The group will perform at The Red Door in Portsmouth on Monday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Visit www.tigersaw.wordpress.com or www.myspace.com/tigersaw.

‘Good Times Comin’’ by The Molenes

From the moment guitarist Dave Hunter and pedal-steel player Bruce Derr begin exchanging gritty licks on the opening track “Blood and Bone,” The Molenes’ new album sears with roots-rock attitude.

Bassist Andrew Russell and drummer Zach Field round out this alt-country quartet, with vocalist Jess Hunter making a couple of appearances. “Good Times Comin’” is the Portsmouth band’s third full-length album, and it builds on the best of the first two, “This Car Is Big” and “Songs of Sin and Redemption.”

Front man Hunter, who hails from the Midwest, wrote all 11 original songs on the new disc. The twang of his guitar and the drawl of his voice, particularly on numbers like “Hot Damn” and “Ten Pound Hammer,” conjure images of southern honky-tonk bars. Driven by scorching instrumental duels between Hunter and Derr, the music is hard country you don’t have to be ashamed of liking.

The lyrics deal with traditional country themes, like unfaithful women and hard-drinkin’, ramblin’ men. “Started off all peaches and cream, it was a nonstop honeymoon / Found out, lord, she’d been steppin’ out, it was over but it went too soon,” Hunter sings in “Good Luck Charm.”

The album closes with the title track, a jazzy instrumental number during which Hunter and Derr really unleash their impressive guitar talents. You can almost hear the smiles on their faces as they tear into indulgent solos.

The Molenes recently played a CD release show at Mojo’s in Portsmouth, and they’ll be at Fury’s Publick House in Dover on Friday, Nov. 19. Visit www.themolenes.com or www.myspace.com/themolenes.

‘A Long Time Coming, A Long Way Away’ by Brahman

Dover is home to many young bands struggling to muscle there way into the local music scene. With their debut CD, Brahman has made a strong case for attention.

With Tom Campbell on guitar and vocals, Ethan Fortin on guitar, Sam Attaya on bass and Will Matern on drums, their surging rock sound is dappled with refreshing, psychedelic touches.

An early highlight is “I Guess I Should Be Thanking You,” which begins with a slow Floydian intro before morphing into a rock anthem that mounts in intensity. Influences like Radiohead, Sonic Youth and The Velvet Underground can all be felt.

Campbell’s vocals shift between a gentle croon and a grating howl, which occasionally reaches frenzied crescendos (especially in “The Woods Are Where”). Generally, though, his singing is appropriate to the droning, underground vibe of the music, especially on softer tunes like “By the River.”

“Sitting by the river where I always used to play / I came here with my father on every rainy day / I’d pretend I was someone else, I was speaking only in cliché / But now that you’re here next to me I love this place a whole new way.” Campbell sings.

The guitar work is strong and melodic, although it stumbles a bit on certain solos. The band often uses guitar noise and feedback to introduce a post-rock ambience, and effectively so.

There’s potential for improvement here, but expect good things as this band continues to grow. “A Long Time Coming” is a promising and enjoyable debut.

Listen to the album at www.brahman.bandcamp.com or visit www.myspace.com/brahmannoodles4evs.