Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones - The Bright and Shining Lights of Anywhere Else (2009)

 Dedicated Ears was fortunate enough to be part of a Betta Promotion Chicago show with Zach and his band a few weeks back.  I highly suggest seeing them live whenever you get the chance.  Zach gave me his album from 2009 and I really enjoy listening to it.  So here is a bit of a belated review of said album.

The lineup of the band is :

Zach Pietrini
Phil Vickers
Eric Mumbower
Nate Gass
Matt Levon

 There is a revival feeling that runs through the songs on this album and their production.  The sound meanders through but is not beholden to folk, alt country, indie rock, blues, and bluegrass. Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones spin many fine stories on The Bright and Shining Lights Of Anywhere Else  which is a bargain $5 on their site.  It's always interesting to hear a country stomp on a song like "Chicago",  a tale of the big city told through the eyes of someone from the country. The shift in timing with the chorus is a nice touch.

 "Never Wrote" is a torch song and fine change of pace that features some heartfelt singing by Zach.  I love the languid pace of the guitar here, it emphasizes the subject matter of the song. "Still I don't see no sunshine, just the majestic and desolate view... it pulls my will in two, it pulls my will in two, and while you gaze up at my face, I wonder why you do."

The  first person narratives and subtle, clever word play are bountiful on this album. The country meets city storyline is always enjoyable to me.  The musicians on this album are really good, as good as when I saw them play live.  Head to their site and buy this album. They are also recording new material and playing in the Chicago area, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page.  Thanks again to Zach and the Band for the album and the great show.

Tom Schraeder - Once Lace Now Cotton (2010 Township Records)

 Once Lace Now Cotton find Tom adding a more textured sound than his 2008 album Lying Through Dinner, which was really good but more of a straight ahead folk sound. Once Lace Now Cotton invites visions of the ol' wagon trail, like on the whistle in and wandering guitar on the album opener "to you my friend...' that also finds Tom's vocals heartfelt and aching.  This will be the one track you will whistle and hum over and over again.

"Should Have Stuck With Cotton"  features loose percussion and some effective harmonies. I like how this song swells toward the end and incorporates an accordion as well as female vocals.

"Carry On" is a bit of a departure from the rest of the album with it's alt-country sound, a full band and more straight ahead song construction. The song also finds Tom letting his vocals out and I imagine it will be the highlight of this album played live. His vocals have a chameleon quality where he seems every bit at home singing this as well as his lo-fi sounding songs.

Tom's vocals have a bit of a magical quality that can be incredibly emotive without the big bombastic displays. They are restrained and nuanced to give his storytelling lyrics a proper voice. These songs have an old soul feel. There are some songs with lo-fi production like "Don't Take My Woman" here as well as others that are cleanly produced but still feel lo-fi. I think this lo- fi effect goes great with Tom's storytelling and vocal style. The overall tone of this album has an updated vintage feel to it. Please check this album out because it deserves to be heard.

Along those lines, Tom will be playing at Schubas tomorrow night, Tues Dec 28th. I plan on being there and look forward to seeing these songs live. Until then here is a bit of promotion for that show by Tom.


Tom Schraeder & His Ego - 'Egoiste Ball' from BAILOUT Pictures on Vimeo.