Twins finally collaborate on low-key ‘Arabella’

Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, the first Saturday of every month, veteran NEWS entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, NEWS sportswriter and rock buff Andrew Neff and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum.

“Arabella” (Broadmoor Records) – Laurie & John

The Stirratt family must be bursting with pride. Fraternal twins Laurie and John Stirratt each has made a mark in the music world, she with the late Blue Mountain, and he with Wilco and his side project, The Autumn Defense. Now the siblings have finally collaborated on their own record, “Arabella,” a delightfully low-key affair putting the emphasis on pretty tunes sung well.

John, bass player and harmony vocalist with Wilco, shows off vocal chops on “Arabella” that have gone largely ignored at his day job. His upper-range, plaintive voice is well suited to the material here. John’s songs on “Arabella” are simple, but heart-felt, and his singing style lacks, thankfully, the affected detachment or overwrought emotive approach favored by many singer-songwriters.

Laurie, who co-founded Blue Mountain with her now ex-husband Cary Hudson, brings a fine voice, though somewhat less interesting songs than her brother’s to the mix. Her retake on the Blue Mountain tune “When You’re Not Mine,” which she composed for the band’s “Tales of a Traveler” record, surpasses the original.

The siblings sing lead on their own compositions, but sound especially good when they blend in harmony. There’s evidence of folk and traditional country in the arrangements, but “Arabella” leans more toward contemporary sounds, if stopping short of being pop.

What is perhaps most charming about the 11-song collection is that it calls the bluff of every critic – like me – who has ever complained about “over-produced” records. There is some organ, pedal steel and even a synthesizer on one cut, but for the most part, it’s voices and pleasant melodies, supported by acoustic guitar, bass and drums that carry “Arabella,” and carry the listener into the songs. – Tom Groening

“Crossfade” (Columbia) – Crossfade

This CD has hardly ever been further than 5 feet from my Jeep’s CD player since the first listen. “So Far Away” gets a personal nod as one of the best rock songs from 2004 and the album itself has both quality and quantity. The heavy metal quartet from Columbia, S.C., reminds me a lot of Staind, a personal favorite, without sounding like a carbon copy.

After starting out as “The Nothing” and changing their name to “Sugardaddy Superstar,” Crossfade seems to have found not only a catchy name, but a signature sound as well. The band’s not afraid to experiment, as is evidenced by occasional and brief forays into sampling and synths on a couple cuts.

These guys seem to excel in softer rock rifts and get a little carried away on some of the harder-heavier angry rocker tracks. Lead singer Ed Sloan’s distinctive voice is better served on less heavy songs. Now the pressure’s on because their sophomore CD is already eagerly anticipated. – Andrew Neff

“Be As You Are” (BNA) – Kenny Chesney

Blame it on the power of suggestion.

Looking out at the frigid Maine tundra, the thought of escaping to the world Chesney sings about on “Be As You Are” is oh so enticing.

This album is Chesney’s ode to the islands that he loves, and it’s easy at this time of year to think warm thoughts and drift away.

Chesney is to be applauded for trying something a little different for Nashville. Steel drums instead of steel guitar are a nice change.

“Be As You Are” is a pleasant enough sail, but no one is going to mistake Chesney for the master of tropical pop, Jimmy Buffett. Chesney’s lyrics are a little too earnest, with not enough humor, and there’s five ballads for every uptempo tune.

So rather than the party tape it could have been, “Be As You Are” is more laid-back music to fall asleep to on the beach. – Dale McGarrigle

“This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)” (Epic) – Chevelle

For the life of me, the only thing I remember about this Chicago group’s second album (“Wonder What’s Next”) is the cover, which featured a stop-action shot of a glass of milk in mid-break. I know, I know … it featured three top-five rock radio singles and went platinum, but it still got by me.

This follow-up album, however, is so good it made me order “Wonder What’s Next” just to see what I missed. This one is a good listen from start to finish, with “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)” a particular favorite. There are themes aplenty here as well with lead singer/guitarist Peter Loeffler taking on pop culture (“American Idol”) with “Get Some” and drugs (Ritalin) with “Vitamin R.” If you’re not familiar with this group and you like alternative rock-metal, give it a listen. Think a lighter (but not light) version of Tool, reportedly one of their big influences. – Andrew Neff