Matt Vanaria / Matt Vanaria

Matt Vanaria’s self-titled EP delicately enters the room with a blissful whisper before raising its voice with surprising angst. Only four songs deep, it is a quick sample that ends almost before it even begins. But the local talent gets enough of his voice in within the tight timeframe and lays down some honest tracks.

Most of the songs sound as though they have been taken from the ’90s alternative songbook, especially the opening “Everything Inside.” A melancholy, acoustic-tinged love ballad, this first track has alternative feels written all over it, with a catchy breakdown kick for added gusto. “I don’t have to hide everything inside,” sings Vanaria in a stripped-down and vulnerable state, making for a strong and compelling start.

But that soft, trancelike vibe does a surprising flip and goes in the other direction for the rest of the EP. “Sanction” quickly follows with heavy and distorted guitars that come out of nowhere. Vanaria can hold a tune together easily with his voice, and “Sanction” is a perfect example of a song that may not work if not for his vocal inflections. The one glaring stumble in this short collection is “Soaring.” A borderline cliché, “Soaring” comes off a bit stressed and doesn’t gel with the authentic vibe of the aforementioned “Everything Inside.”

Matt Vanaria’s EP is a strong and confident outing. It’s clear he’s influenced by alternative rock of yesteryear, but that’s not to say his music sounds dated. Although perhaps uneven, this collection of songs is still a solid calling card.

For more information, visit reverbnation.com/mattvanaria.

By Jason Savio

P.E. James / Snippets

P.E. James has been entertaining audiences by singing and playing acoustic guitar for more than three decades in and around the Worcester area, and now, fans will have a chance to sample many of their favorites with the aptly titled Snippets, which gives listeners a tour through the singer/songwriter’s musical musings over 40 years (yes, 4-0 years!)

This span of decades may be its main detriment, as well as one of its most delightful conceits, depending upon where you fall in with your familiarity of the artist. Those in the know will likely love the sampling of this seemingly random collection, while those unschooled on James’ admirably enduring career may find the transitions and disparate themes a bit bumpy for one sitting. But each song works wonderfully standing on its own. “Give Me A Kiss (Mi Dushi),” a hat tip to the Caribbean; “Pantyhose Blues,” about torn stockings; or “Hot Tea (All Over Me)” about, you guessed it, a spilled beverage, all are catchy and fun. (I found myself drawn into his voice and the rhythm before realizing he was singing about a spilled beverage.)

“I Guess I Heard ‘I Love You’” is the best of the bunch; it’s a gorgeous, subtle, heartbreaking lullaby, the first he actually wrote with songwriting partner Donna Whitney. James performs and writes or co-writes all his own material, and his voice is reliable and often soulful.

For more information, visit PEJamesmusic.com.

By Mike Wood

Tim Bowness / Stupid Things That Mean the World

I have clearly been living under a rock for the last couple of decades or so, since I had never heard of Tim Bowness. If you haven’t either, lift that boulder up and join me in becoming a fan of his music. I came across this album and, upon hearing the first note, was immediately hooked. He has a soft and beautifully unique vocal, a great range and a classic Brit-rock style that summons a Pink Floyd spirit and David Bowie intensity.

Bowness, who released six studio albums with No-Man, released his first solo album in 2004, waiting 10 years until he released last year’s Abandoned Dancehall Dreams. The album was well-received and notable, so it only made sense to get another out without waiting years to do so. Released in July, Stupid Things That Mean the World expresses Bowness’ undeniable veteran status in its complexity and also features performances by the likes of Anna Phoebe, of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Peter Hammill, of Van Der Graff Generator. This is a true musician’s album.

The 11-track album is like a perfectly layered cake. The traditional and eclectic are a well-balanced ratio, with just the right amount of everything and bringing in many different sounds, all while keeping an honest and consistent style. It’s artsy and introspective with heavy guitar, but it is also a multi-instrument offering that taps into the creative mind. The lyrics are so well-written that if only spoken, they would still be compelling poetry with the ability to latch onto your brain and have you thinking about their meaning and the writer’s experiences.

For more information, visit timbowness.co.uk.

By Jennifer Russo