Matt Bachrach
Joy to the World
Pianist Matt Bachrach takes on nine Christmas hymns for this seasonal collection of instrumentals. He fleshes out his own arrangements of classics such as the title song and What Child Is This? with percussion, drums, bass and guitar, but the focus is always on the ivories whether they be on piano or synthesizer. Like overdecorated Christmas trees, some songs get precariously ornate and threaten to topple with the weight of all that's put on them. Bachrach shines brightest when he keeps things simple, such as the pretty piano-only version of The First Noel. B
by Thomas Bond, Get Out Next show: Matt Bachrach performs noon Dec. 21 at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, . $8-$14, includes garden admission.
Mike Chamberlin
Mike Chamberlin's Christmas Collection
KTVK-TV (Channel 3) sportscaster Mike Chamberlin has a tradition of composing a new Christmas song each year. Four of those songs are gathered here, along with some instrumental versions of holiday tunes featuring lead guitarist Max Busby. Let's Finish What He Started a duet with 3TV colleague Christi Paul is a Christian rallying cry, and The Whisper a declaration of faith. To put it charitably, Chamberlin is definitely more of a songwriter than a singer, but his performances are obviously heartfelt. A portion of the proceeds from the CD will go to the March of Dimes. C
by Thomas Bond, Get Out Next show: Mike Chamberlin performs 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Country Nites Holiday Jubilee at Red River Music Hall, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, . $8-$18.
Half Visconte
Was It Fear
A meandering and dreamy record, Was It Fear is reminiscent of the Get Up Kids latest disc On a Wire. (And perhaps thats no coincidence as Half Visconte has opened for the emo hipsters on tour.) The disc is anything but explosive, with some songs like 11 jamming on for nearly nine minutes. While the improvisation in such tunes as Name can drag on a bit too long, the record is intense and emotional, a bittersweet morsel of emo pop pleasure. B
by Adrienne Frank, Get Out Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Chris Burton Jácome
Palante
While some guitarists rework popular songs into flamenco facsimiles, Scottsdale's Chris Burton Jácome has set himself the far more difficult task of making his original flamenco and flamenco-flavored compositions into popular songs. While capable of performing like one, he's no strict traditionalist, and Palante is quite varied in its approach and instrumentation, from the Middle East- inflected Eastern Eyes to the exuberant-if-cheesy rock feel of Enchufao. What comes through most plainly on the album is Burton Jácome's undeniable talents as both a composer and player. A-
by Thomas Bond, Get Out Next show: Chris Burton Jácome performs with Zona Flamenca 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at Pepín, 7368 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, . Free.
Leos Invention
The Way Things Are Today
The Way Things Are Today, the debut disc from Valley trio Leos Invention, has been two years in the making and it shows. The carefully crafted collection of nine songs is mellow and thoughtful, without being melodramatic. Frontman Mike Merciers voice which is oddly reminiscent of Jon Bon Jovis is gruff and sexy and made even more intriguing by the haunting melodies that accompany him on such tunes as Window and Head. More up-tempo highlights include the twangy Silica and For Her Pleasure. B+
by Adrienne Frank, Get Out Next show: Leos Invention perform 11:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mill Avenue Beer Co., 605 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, . Free.
Rhythm City Express
Live at Sugar Daddy's
Beyond being a souvenir project for the musicians involved, it's hard to imagine the purpose behind a warts- and-all live recording of 11 mostly threadbare cover tunes. When it's one of very average sound quality, the mystery deepens. In pedestrian fashion, 10-piece Rhythm City Express slogs through a set including I Will Survive, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Oye Como Va and Wooly Bully all of which probably sounded fine with the atmosphere (and alcohol, especially the alcohol) of a nightclub, but the question remains: Why put it to disc? D
by Thomas Bond, Get Out Next show: Rhythm City Express perform 9 p.m. Dec. 20 at Sugar Daddy's, 3102 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, . $2.
Tribe Seven
Christmas
Mixing smooth jazz, Latin percussion and funk lite, Tribe Seven offer a highly danceable collection of holiday classics. The rhythm programming on some of the cuts harks back to the Minneapolis sound of the early 80s (Prince, the Time) and completely overwhelms God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, among others. The band is certainly talented especially the lead vocalists (both male and female) but it may be trying just a bit too hard here. It's one thing (and an admirable aspiration) to make songs your own, but rendering Jingle Bells unrecognizable takes the concept a bit too far. C+
by Thomas Bond, Get Out Next show: Tribe Seven perform 9 p.m. Saturday at Baja Tilly's, 1123 W. Broadway Road, Tempe, . $4.
Various artists
AZPunk.com Vol. 1
The AZpunk.com Web site is an exhaustively detailed resource for our local punk scene, and, featuring songs by 30 different groups, its first compilation is more of the same. Listening to the 73-minute disc all the way through is the equivalent of a marathon-length audio relay race with each band passing the sonic baton and sprinting at breakneck speed through its three-minute tunes. Sure, there are some stumbles along the way, but highlights include cuts by Stereotyperider, Fourbanger, Redfield and Logik. B+
by Thomas Bond, Get Out Next show: Visit www.azpunk.com to check schedules of the bands featured on the compilation.
