CD REVIEWS
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Scott Holt
“Kudzu”
Gracetone Entertainment
Though he is best-known for having spent a decade in blues legend Buddy Guy’s band and now fronts his own group that plays blues venues across the country, guitarist Scott Holt’s new solo album, “Kudzu,” is not what blues fans might expect from him. Like “the vine that ate the South” for which the album is entitled, Holt has decided to branch out from his blues roots to pursue a sound that is more akin to roots-rock with a singer-songwriter slant. With the help of bassist Dan Eubanks, drummer Marshal Weaver and keyboardist Joe Peterson, Holt delivers 11 original songs that were written during various phases of his career, all of which are neatly bundled under the theme of “modern life” on songs like “Living in Fear,” “Matter of Time” and “S&M.” CV
(Scott Holt plays the Winter Blues Fest on Saturday, Jan. 29. See this week’s Scene Scribe for details.)
Guster
“Easy Wonderful”
Universal Republic Records
Guster returns with its first studio album in four years with the release of “Easy Wonderful” that finds the pop-rock band aging nicely with its acoustic-driven, radio-friendly sound. The album’s hit single “Do You Love Me” begins with acoustic guitar, hand claps and singer Ryan Miller’s vocal before Adam Gardner, Brian Rosenworcet and Joe Pisapia add layers of drums, chimes and harmonies that crescendo with a soaring chorus that is reminiscent of California ’60s pop-rock. In a nutshell, that is the blueprint for “Easy Wonderful” which includes a number of relaxed pop tunes that are easy on the ears, including “On the Ocean,” “This Could All Be Yours” and “Do What You Want.” The album even includes spiritual undertones on “Stay With Me Jesus” and “Jesus and Mary.” CV
(Guster plays Thursday, Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Theater. Tickets are $23-$26 through Ticketmaster.)
