Local Spins

Lymbyc Systym
‘Live Kin’

While most men barely into their 20s have grown up on a steady diet of corporate rock radio, the brothers Bell, collectively known as Lymbyc Systym, have cut their teeth on such diverse influences as Herbie Hancock, Sly Stone and Björk. The duo’s new disc, “Live Kin,” was recorded live and features an abundance of funky bass grooves, tight syncopation, tempo changes and the tried and true jazz staple: improvisation.

Over the solid foundation of Michael Bell’s drumming, keyboardist Jared Bell uses a Fender Rhodes and Clavinet to feather intricate chord patterns and bass lines throughout the disc’s five instrumentals. The songs on the CD would be more effective if cut down by half, but this being a live performance disc it’s easy to forgive the virtuoso brothers’ urge to let
loose and show off their chops. B

Next show: CD release party 8 p.m Friday at Monroe's, 3 W. Monroe, Phoenix, . $4.
Web site: www.lymbycsystym.com

— by Chris Holly, Get Out

Vegasunderwater
‘Vegasunderwater’

Vegasunderwater is chiefly the vision of studio wunderkind Jason Catlin, who plays every instrument, sings every vocal part and penned every tune on this disc. Recorded on digital four-track at his home studio, Catlin has managed to make this CD sound remarkably good given his limited recording format.

The tunes here run the gamut from quieter Pink Floyd-esque balladry to revved-up Nine Inch Nails-inspired electronic rockers. Many of the songs get bogged down with lyrics seemingly culled from the Rock ’n’ Roll 101 textbook, but with this eponymous disc, Catlin, as Vegasunderwater, has proven himself a studio wizard and an impressive musical auteur. B

Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time.
Web site: www.vegasunderwater.com

— by Chris Holly, Get Out