Local spins

Arizona’s Trooper
‘Spirits’

Talented singer/songwriter Jim Pipken, otherwise known as Arizona’s Trooper, displays a rare talent for Old West, Marty Robbins-style story songs on this strong 13-song disc. Pipken provides fantastic finger-picking, complex acoustic bluegrass runs and ear-candy chord changes to support his easy-going, storytelling vocal style. What stands out are his terrific, major league lyrics which are full of brushstroked Western imagery. He drops phrases such as “painted desert” and “Picacho,” spins yarns of mythical outlaws (“El Tejano,” “Qeho’s Trail”) and tells updated tales of saloon brawls (“Two Fisted Thinker”). The disc is a fine listen for fans of great storytelling and a perfect record to send to tenderfooted, greenhorn relatives out of state who are unaccustomed to our Western ways. A-

Next show: 7 p.m Saturday at Border’s Books & Music, 4555 E. Cactus Road, Paradise Valley, . Free, all ages.
Web site: www.acousticmusicaz.com

— by Chris Holly, Get Out

Siren
‘Who Will Fall’

On their debut disc, Siren prove to be a band playing to their greatest strength, namely the vocals of singer Chris Timberlake, whose powerful voice carries the songs beyond run-of-the-
mill pop/rock. Sounding a bit like The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan or a harder rocking Dido, Timberlake displays terrific range and control, able to sing husky rockers and soft mid-tempo tunes with equal aplomb. The musicianship is professional throughout the disc, with nice piano flourishes, delicate acoustic guitar, chunky power chords, and a crisp, solid rhythm section. Siren seem to be trying to decide between being a hard rock group and a pop band and on this CD their pop side, on songs such as “Temporary Blue” and the standout “Some Kind of Change,” works best. Aside from an ill-advised hard rocking cover of Carly Simon's “You're So Vain,” Siren has crafted a tuneful debut that displays the band's promise. B

Next show: Nothing scheduled at this time
Web site: www.music-of-siren.com

— by Chris Holly, Get Out