Lily Afshar: Hemispheres
Archer ARR-31926
Format: CD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

Classical and world-music guitarist Lily Afshar’s name was new to me, but hearing her brings back memories of Andrés Segovia, David Russell, and Christopher Parkening -- she plays her acoustic instrument with the same assured sense of self that those topnotch guitarists have displayed. The title of Afshar’s first album, Hemispheres, is probably the best summation of what one hears on this eclectic disc, much of the music on which is from the Middle East and Spain. But that in itself will probably not be the main reason you’ll want to hear it. Here are two good reasons to add this album to your collection. First, its 13 selections include five world premieres of music written especially for Afshar, including two dedicated to her. Second, the sound is excellent -- the full feeling of an acoustic guitar being played in a real space is alive and well on this disc. If you have even the smallest interest in the classical guitar, or are looking for a demo disc of simply wonderful music, Hemispheres should be on your short list….John Crossett

Christopher O’Riley: Home to Oblivion: An Elliott Smith Tribute
World Village 468056
Format: CD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

Tribute albums can be tricky. If you don’t already know the artist, they can be dull and meaningless, and if you do, it’s easy to be skeptical. Like classical pianist Christopher O’Riley’s two tribute albums to Radiohead, Home to Oblivion carefully treads water between replica and farce. O’Riley effectively and interestingly transcribes for acoustic piano the vocals, guitar, and sometimes backing band of the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The transition works better than it sounds -- Smith’s often dark, deeply emotional songs translate well to piano, even without the words. While some of the songs end up as little more than washes of sound, some of O’Riley’s arrangements are remarkable, regardless of their context or origin. "Cupid’s Trick" is a gem: pressing, urgent, and melodic, the sound of pounding piano keys more than adequately expressing whatever sentiment Smith might have put into his words. "Waltz #1" is, as indicated, a charming waltz, delicate and wistful as a music box. The rest of the album is filled with similarly classical-sounding tunes. O’Riley, himself a prodigious composer, proves more than capable of taking on this project….Katherine Silkaitis

The Green and Yellow TV: Sinister Barrier
Records Records 3
Format: CD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

The Green and Yellow TV opens its third disc with "The Wolves Are Out Tonight," which suggests what the Beach Boys might have sounded like had they gone fully psychedelic in the 1960s. Lush high harmonies give way to gritty, biting guitar chords and a brief string interlude that sounds vaguely Eastern. This breathtaking song is multitracked with sonic details that reward repeated hearings. In fact, it’s such an audacious opening that it sets up the listener for a letdown -- but there are at least a handful of other tunes on Sinister Barrier that nail you right away. By the third or fourth listen, I was singing along with every track. The guys in Green and Yellow TV don’t shy away from melody, they write ear-catching hooks, and they’ve picked up a few ideas from some lesser-known pop greats, such as the Nazz and the Left Banke. "Brother" is what Pink Floyd might have sounded like had they been less pretentious, and "Don’t Let It Get to You" is so shamelessly melodic it brings back memories of the glory days of AM radio. Next time around, this L.A. trio should aim for cleaner sound. They could hardly improve on the songs….Joseph Taylor

Borodin: String Quartet 1; String Quintet
Kocian Quartet; Michal Kanka, cello.
Praga 250222
Format: Hybrid Multichannel SACD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

Music was Borodin’s avocation. His day job was teaching chemistry, and it is for his scientific achievements that a statue of him was erected in his native Russia. Many US listeners know his music from its use in the hit Broadway musical Kismet. There is none of that music here, but there is a seemingly endless abundance of lyrical melodies. The Quintet is the earlier composition, written when Borodin was in his early 20s. It shows the influence of Mendelssohn, in both its melodic structure and its bustling accompanying figures. The String Quartet 1 came near the end of the composer’s life, and though it shows influences of Mendelssohn and Schumann, it is much more Russian in feeling. It still contains those gorgeous melodies that are a trademark of Borodin’s compositional style. The Kocian Quartet plays both pieces with flair, lyrical abandon, and control. The tempos seem just right, and there is careful attention to dynamics. The sound is spacious and has good presence, but the top end sounds slightly pinched….Rad Bennett 

Bear McCreary: Battlestar Galactica: Season 2
La-La Land LLLCD1049
Format: CD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

Battlestar Galactica is one of the best shows TV has to offer, with outstanding writing, acting, and cinematography. What lifts the series into the pantheon of all-time great TV sci-fi is the alternately tragic and heroic music provided by Bear McCreary. Shortly after each season ends, McCreary releases a composite album of the year’s music. The Season 2 CD is gloriously recorded, from earthshaking bass to delicate string quartets to long cymbal shimmers (track 17 is the standout test track). Best of all, McCreary bypasses the usual soundtrack problem of choppiness by programming the album as a sort of sci-fi symphony. Listening, even without the benefit of seeing the action, can be an emotionally gripping experience. McCreary’s credits are mostly for short independent films, but the music he writes for Battlestar Galactica is so moving that I wonder why producers and directors aren’t knocking his door down….Wes Marshall