Local spins

Jenna’s Arrival
‘Who Wants to Know’

It’s increasingly difficult to tell the difference between memorable and mediocre after being beaten over the head with too many singing-through-the-nasal-cavities- chopping-on-the- major-chords pop-punk bands. Though Tempe band Jenna’s Arrival falls into this genre, their new EP, “Who Wants to Know,” shows a glimmer of potential. Seamlessly produced, all five tracks were crafted for radio play. “The Righteous Ones” and “Critty” are strong openers, shaking things up with multi-dimensional melodies and danceable drum beats. Unfortunately, the EP goes lyrically limp, dishing out kiddie pop clichés like “There was a time that I could see through you/look in your eyes make all my dreams come true.” Not a promising first impression. Still, if Jenna’s Arrival can explore the creative paths hinted at early on in the disc, their music may have hope for memory retention past the short term phase. C

Next show: 7:30 p.m. Thursday with Audio Karate at Modified Arts Space, 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. Info: . $8, all ages.
Web site: www.jennasarrival.com

— by Jenna Duncan, Get Out

Emerg McVay
‘Slave Music (Post 911 Lyricism)’

“This is real hip-hop,” local rapper Emerg McVay states on his new album “Slave Music (Post 911 Lyricism).” It definitely holds the characteristics of hip-hop with its beats and rhymes, but as the cover would suggest, it is also full of some brutal lyricism and controversial rhymes. The solo album from the former Bionic Jive MC carries a cover that shows McVay wearing a klansmen hood made out of an American flag, so it’s not surprising that he assaults the listener with furious songs about life as an angry Arizona rapper in a post-Sept. 11 world. The most poignant song on the album is “In The Sec’s Before” where McVay tells the story of young people going through hardships such as pregnancy and rape and the actions that they take to find a way out of their problems. The stories are hard to swallow, but when he finishes the stanzas and you hear the horror of how these situations end, they’re almost unbearably emotional. B

Next show: 9 p.m. every Thursday at Boston’s, 5014 S. Price Road, Tempe, . $10, all ages.
Web site: www.emergmcvay.com

— by Chris Fanning, Get Out

Rajiv Patel
‘Of Blackwater’

Guitar geeks rejoice! The boundless creativity of guitarist Rajiv Patel is on full display on his second solo disc to be released in the past year. Patel, who also performs with Before Braille and The Letterpress, turns in 10 untitled instrumentals that showcase his innovative technique and amazing chops. The overall musical style of this CD falls into a kind of freestyle folk, with open-tuned acoustic guitars and cleanly recorded electrics being backed up by minimal percussion. While the instrumentals are melodic and absorbing, Patel’s guitar work is the star here: he is able to evoke sitars with his string-bending, pull off fast, melodic finger-tapping runs, and adds slide guitar and harmonics for extra texture. While most instrumental records can become repetitive, Patel keeps things consistently engaging with short songs and tuneful playing. B

Next show: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at New Horizons School, 446 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, . $7, includes CD. All ages. Web site: www.beforebraille.com

— by Chris Hansen Orf, Get Out

Various Artists
‘Americopa Mantle Vol. 1’

Americopa Mantle, a community of Arizona musicians, presents its first music compilation in an effort to build support for the local music scene. Judging by the material on this disc, the release should go a long way toward building that support. Before Braille check in with two hard pop tunes, “The Case Is Out” and “Cause For Alarm,” that display the bands patented hooks, vocal harmonies and sonically innovative guitar work. The Ruby Lee’s two songs are awash in gorgeous psychedelia; Awake & Alert’s heavy, melodic “Wool and Water” provides a showcase for the powerful vocals of singer Maya Peart and The Go Reflex steals the show with the stunning “Rincon Life,” a slice of piano and vocal harmony-layered pure pop beauty in the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” mold. This disc is vibrant proof that these Arizona bands know how to craft near-perfect pop. B+

Next show: 7:30 p.m. Friday at New Horizons School, 446 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, . $8, includes Americopa Mantle CD. All ages.
Web site: www.americopamantle.com

— by Chris Hansen Orf, Get Out