By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Joe Purdy
"This American"
Mudtown Crier Records
The field of folk-rock singers is crowded these days, but those able to sort
dedicated singer-songwriters from fly-by-night performers understand that Joe
Purdy is among the best and brightest of his generation. While other talented
artists in the field have enjoyed more mainstream success, Purdy continues
to toil in relative obscurity (though he's provided soundtracks for TV shows "Grey's
Anatomy" and "Lost"). There's no telling if his latest album, "This
American," a plaintive, acoustic solo album reminiscent of Bob Dylan's
early works, will bring him some overdue acceptance, but it certainly cements
his stature with those familiar with his work as a prolific songwriter and
talented singer. Highlights include reflections of travel ("Highways," "Oregon
Trail"), the Woody Guthrie-like "Dustbowl" and the beautiful
ballad, "Louisiana." CV
(Joe Purdy performs Sunday, May 15 at 8 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews. $14.)
Stone Sour
"Audio Secrecy"
Roadrunner Records
Corey Taylor is best known as the lead singer for another successful Des Moines
band, but he continues to impress as an entirely different singer with Stone
Sour on their latest album, "Audio Secrecy." The album's title is
a play on the word "idiosyncrasy," which best describes its contrasting
mix of musical styles (heavy and melodic), feel (dark, light) and song tempos
(slow and fast). Recorded at Nashville's Blackbird Studios with producer Nick
Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains), "Audio Secrecy" offers
perhaps the band's most commercial recordings to date in the form of songs
like "Dying," "Hesitate" and "Imperfect" that
include medium-tempos, melodies and hooks. But there are enough hard rock songs
here to keep the band's testosterone-fueled fans engaged, including "Mission
Statement," "Nylon" and "The Bitter End." CV
(Stone Sour plays Sunday, May 15 at Lazerfest in Indianola. Tickets are $42.)
