I'm kicking this week of reviews off with another one of my favorite Nashville friends, Katie Herzig. She easily won my heart with her last release, Weightless, even making her way twice onto my list of songs that I want to crawl inside of (“Diamond Ring” and “Jenny Lynn”). Mesmerizing works, those two pieces. So, Katie has a new independent CD out this week called Apple Tree. Her songs have a style all their own. There's no verse-chorus-verse formula at work in these little beauties. There are also no clichéd lyrics to yawn through while you wait for the good stuff. It's not enough that it's worn on her sleeve, Katie puts her whole heart into her work, too. The songs are so good that they can stand firmly on their merits in a solo, acoustic setting. But, here, they are treated to some really delicious and imaginative production. Lovers of bands like Gomez and Aqualung as well as fans of singer/songwriters such as Shawn Colvin and Jonatha Brooke will both fall in love with Katie, and rightfully so.She's just fantastic.

How's about a new Death Cab for Cutie? It's called Narrow Stairs and is just out. I've not listened to these guys very much in the past, just here and there. So, I don't have any preconceived notions or comparisons to lean on. Right off the bat, “Bixby Canyon Bridge” lures you to the edge of your seat, and then “I Will Possess Your Heart” lets you know that it's a just great alt-pop song, even though the album version runs 8:35. Other stand-out tracks for me are “Your New Twin-Sized Bed” and “Grapevine Fires.” “No Sunlight” reminds me of something out of the late '80s, like The Smiths teaming up with R.E.M. maybe. It's a pretty good listen, this Narrow Stairs business.


New York rocker Patti Rothberg is back from a bit of an hiatus with Double Standards. I have to say, her new vibe is a little Goth/creepy; and I don't love all of the tunes, but some of them are pretty good. It opens with the catchy-as-hell “Alternate Universe,” eventually making its way to a few quieter pieces: “After the Parade,” “Hard Times” and “Wave Length.” To fill the edgy hole, try “Retrograde” or “Chaste Away.” And for a fun, mid-tempo number, go with “Unconditional Love.” If you happen to dig kazoo, well, there's something here for you, as well — “Someone to Love.” This one might be better bought as individual tracks, because the whole is a little disappointing.


Needing more queer hip hop in your diet? God-des and She have a new release this week, Stand Up. I'll confess that I'm not altogether familiar with their past work, so I can't do a ranking for you. However, parts of this CD are better than I remember them being when I first heard them years ago. Other parts still feel green, both in the writing and the production. The lyrical balance between personal and political is nice. “Love You Better” and “Stand Up” can stand up next to mainstream hip hop. Then you have “Lick It,” which really can't simply because the subject matter is far from mainstream.


Want something totally outside the box? Check out Eljuri's En Paz. I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea how good the lyrics are. She has, however, drawn numerous comparisons to Santana for her style and skill; so she can't be all bad. You can judge the guitar skills on your own. The style is all over the place, incorporating reggae, flamenco, surf rock and whatever else happened to be in the kitchen, including the sink. Guests include Johnette Napolitano and Sly & Robby.