By Mike Breen

It's been another solid year for local music releases, perhaps the best in recent memory. Our look back this year includes the usual local self-releases, as well as some of the bigger releases that came out on a larger scale. Of course, this isn't every local CD released this year and there were quite a few others that could have easily slipped onto this list, but we're not the Yellow Pages. So here are the local music discs that struck a chord with us in 2001.

· David Wolfenberger -- World of the Satisfy'n Place One of the best overall (local or national) CDs of 2001. World is the follow-up to Wolfenberger's 1999 solo debut, Tales From Thom Scarecrow, which established the artist as a musical force with the potential for widespread appeal. World should seal the deal. A calliope grind kicks off the album, leading into the lilting, gorgeous "Bury Me at Ivesdale." The song, about his hometown, shows the kind of clever lyricism that he seems to have mastered, balancing heart-felt soul-searching with a touch of sweet witticism. The album is loaded with uplifting moments and highlights, including the classic Pop sensibility of "You and Me and I Am," the Appalachian, train-rollin' bop of "The Blade It Cuts Both Ways," the kaleidoscopic eclecticism of "Stealin' The Lines," and the pining, Neil Young-ish closer "From A Field, July 1975." But it's almost unfair to single out one song over another -- there isn't one dud in the lot. Absolutely brilliant.

· The Ass Ponys -- Lohio

With last year's Some Stupid with a Flare Gun, Cincinnati's Ass Ponys re-emerged as the city's most critically-lauded music export. This year brought the Ponys' second album for Checkered Past Records, Lohio, and it's yet another pearl on the string; a collection that is well set apart from all of their previous work, but still has the band's unique characteristics stamped throughout. On some of the album, there's a slight reminder of the emotionally-draining The Known Universe, the band's criminally underrated follow-up to the more upbeat major label debut Electric Rock Music. The beautiful "Last Night It Snowed" and "Nothing Starts Today," for example, have a similar lump-in-the-throat feel to Universe. And the album also finds the band reconnecting a bit more with some of their rootsier, Bluegrass influences. It's remarkably refreshing that a band with such a strong sonic identity is still capable of challenging listeners and themselves with every step.

· Various Artists -- Mission Control Presents: Prehistoric Sounds

This comp was set up by local Hip Hop crew Mood, and it's one of the best overall Hip Hop compilations you'll find. The tracks (representing artists from around the region) eschew the current bling-bling qualities of popular Hip Hop for a more organic, old school vibe. Local artists contributing to the disc are cream-of-the-crop: Five Deez, Crunch Ex, Hi Tek, the three core members of Mood (Main-Flow, Donte and Jahson) and others.

· Saturday Supercade -- Everyone Is A Target

The 'Cade started in 1996 and, after a couple of self-releases, signed with New York label, Red Leader Records. Target is the group's debut for Liberation Records, label home to Screeching Weasel and Donuts N Glory. The album is a seamless mix of soaring, hyper-catchy melodicism, artistic guitar riffs and a crisp, creative rhythmic pulse. Each song is underlined with a passionate urgency, which, along with the irresistible hooks, makes it difficult not to get sucked in. Everyone is a Target is easily one of the best Punk albums of 2001, locally or nationally.

· Pike 27 -- Falling Down Hard

Falling Down Hard is a masterful stab at impassioned Roots Rock, showing that they whole-heartedly set out to emphasize the "Rock" part of that equation as much as the "Roots" part. "Baltimore," for example, is a down-and-dirty stomper that flies with a near-rabid energy, while "Devil's Radio" rumbles with a Stones-ish swagger. But the band also shows flashes of grace on Falling, especially on the moving, elegant "5/17," one of the best local songs of the year.

· Ray's Music Exchange -- Turanga

If you play Ray's Music Exchange's new album, Turanga (released internationally on Delvian Records), next to their debut, 1999's live Alivexchange, you will be struck by how gracefully the band uses the studio. While the Jazz Fusion musings and pocket grooves are still mightily evident on many tracks (while retaining a distinctly "live" feel), the band clearly felt comfortable enough to stretch out and experiment in the studio, much like they do during their improv-laden performances. You still get great arrangements ("Debo Rides Again") and fusionary romps ("Misguided Samaritan," which recalls the Tutu-era Miles, before breaking off into wild, atmospheric rhythmic jam), but the band seems to have assembled and re-assembled each song, inserting unique elements and trippy additives with each reconstruction.

· Homunculus -- Words

On the band's third album, Homunculus really comes into their own, developing their charming groove-meets-melody blend and writing the best songs of their career. While it's easy to see why Homunculus would appeal to the Jam Rock fans, with their music's heavily rhythmic backbeat, on Words, the band manage to find a perfect balance of funky flow and addictive melodic hooks. If you're a fan of the Talking Heads' Remain in Light or King Crimson's Discipline, you'll certainly take to Homunculus' like-minded-but-more-contemporary brand of engulfing textural Pop.

· Hi Tek -- Hi-Teknology

Last year's Reflection Eternal established producer/rapper Tek and duo-partner Talib Kweli as the ones to watch in the Hip Hop world. Tek's solo debut was a funky dream, creative and organic like the best underground Hip Hop these days. Guest shots by city-mates Mood, Crunch Ex and Brian Digby Jr., plus Mos Def, Kweli, and Common didn't hurt matters, but Tek's role as mad professor, organizing and arranging the tracks, was the crucial link.

· Over the Rhine -- Films for Radio

Over the Rhine's most fully-realized and accomplished record also happens to be their first for Virgin-imprint Backporch. While the slicker production had the potential for scaring off some longtime fans, the band actually used the bigger palette to make the songs more visceral and impacting. Gorgeous.

· The Stapletons -- The Spirit of '76

The group has been gigging its brains out since their debut teaser release, Electric Record, last year, and the results are evident in Spirit's tight and endearing Roots Pop nuggets. The band's music is steeped in '60s influences, from Bakersfield boogie ("Help Me Darling") to poppin' Garage Rock ("Fallen Avenue"). But what makes the band stand out is their own personal stamp -- when you hear a Stapletons song, there's no mistaking who you're listening to.

· The Bears -- Car Caught Fire

Brilliant, mature Pop/Rock from Adrian Belew, Rob Fetters, Chris Arduser and Bob Nyswonger. The first album by this local supergroup in 13 years is also their best. Look for the Bears to be making tracks in 2002 as they more actively promote this release with some touring.

· Fairmount Girls -- Tender Trap

Crafty Indie Rock with bittersweet, pristine melodies and harmonies and just the right dose of femme-angst, The Fairmounts somehow managed to top their debut release, Eleven Minutes to Anywhere.

· Ruby Vileos -- The King Is Dead

Hypnotic, catchy and ethereal. Initially, the most grabbing element of Ruby's sound is Edwards' striking vocal style and range. But the group works together to make the tracks lush, crafting subtle layers of keyboard, sample quirks and brash guitar riffs. To top it off, the songs exhibit an impressive Pop flair and the textures dance gracefully with irresistible melodies.

· The Shams -- The Shams Take Off

Take Off is a thoroughly well put-together album, full of blazing stompers, soulful asides and psychedelic energy. While much of the album is highly energized, the record shows off some of the band's diversity with cuts like R&B gem "Me No More," the swaggering "In the City" and a creepy hidden bonus track at the end that is sure to leave heads swirling. Cool songs, great playing and singer Zach Gabbard's peel-the-paint-off the wall vocals (the man has some great Rock & Roll pipes) make Take Off a welcome installment to the Garage pantheon.

· Chalk -- Black Box Broken

Black Box, the follow-up to the band's 1999 Deary Me release, Nothing Left to Do But Die, finds the sonic sculptors in peak form. Fusing the adrenaline, guitar sheen and structuring of Post Punk with a swirling, punctuated knack for electronic experimentalism, Chalk prove that synths can be used to rock, in much the same way Dayton's late great Brainiac did.

· Crunch E.X. -- Broken Anglish

Crunch E.X. came to the Hip Hop world's attention after appearing on the Prehistoric Sounds collection and on local Hip Hop heavyweight Hi Tek's track "Breakin Bread" from Hi Teknology. Crunch comes into his own on Broken Anglish, showing off a fluid yet edgy sound that is floated by his gruff delivery and flowing, insightful rhymes. Crunch's visceral lyrics tell tales from the streets, but instead of waving diamonds and money, the MC lays out more realistic scenarios.

· Clabbergirl -- I Feel Pretty

The "Power Pop" disc of the year. The trio finally emerged in 2001 with their first full-length, an addicting, energetic and crafty representation of the local Pop/Rock scene. You gotta love an album that makes it hard to decide what your favorite tune is -- I've got about six of 'em with this one. Though they lost their guitarist recently, they also won the 97Xposure competition and have developed into an excellent, swaggering live band.

· Messerly & Ewing -- The Last Twelve Hours

For their new album, Messerly & Ewing decided to expand on the full-band approach they began using on about half of the songs from their first CD. The Last Twelve Hours features a wide-range of local musicians, who flesh out the duo's fantastic Roots Rock/Pop songs nicely. Still, the duo's wonderful songwriting rightly remains the focal point.

· Crazy Chester -- Ashes Everywhere

While relying on classic Roots and Rock influences, the superlative craftmanship of the songs on Ashes will keep you from seeing the band as a throw-back. Musically, Crazy Chester pump out organic, soulful Rock & Roll that is as reliant on emotion as it is its musical forebearers. Making the band even more singular is singer/guitarist Lee Gallagher's unique, elastic croon and crafty lyrics.

· Simpletons -- Method For Passion

Since the band's self-titled debut a couple of years ago, the Simpletons have become one of Cincinnati's premiere acts and Method shows exactly why. Like their debut but a bit more accomplished, the group once again shows off great songwriting, solid performance and some "filling-in-the-cracks" icing that seals the deal. While the so-addicting-you-wanna-smack-them-sometimes melodies might be the focal point, it's how the group dresses up the songs this time around that is most ear-grabbing.

· Ed Cunningham and the New Radio Cowboys -- Blue Skies and Sunny

The Cowboys are the area's finest purveyors of pure, traditional Country, dipping into Honky Tonk and Western Swing with a vigorous zeal and heaping dose of aptitude. While heartily traditional, Blue Skies and Sunny showcases the songwriting talent of Cunningham, who deftly injects the old-timey songs with a sly sense of humor and a boatload of soul.

· Kenny P -- Gettin' Paid

If you're wagering on who could be the next Cincinnati-based Rap artist to emerge in the national spotlight, Kenny P would not have been a bad bet (recent legal hassles might shake the odds a bit though). Songs like "Bringin' Drama" and "Who Am I" feature monster hooks that beg for radio-play and on cuts like the otherwise-not-particularly-original "Dear Momma," P shows a lyrical grasp that's downright poetic and touching.

· Saving Ray -- Saving Ray

Saving Ray's self-titled debut is a robust collection of searing Modern Rock, with majestic melodies and sumptuous songwriting. Saving Ray have emerged as one of the best melody-driven bands in the area and this sprawling, highly potent album shows just how focused the group's sound has become.

· Gravy8 -- Miss the Boat

Emerging from two Cincy-based Pop/Rock bands (Birdhouse and Porterhouse), this trio built a nice following around town with their entertaining live shows and this poppin' fresh debut CD.

· Scotty Anderson -- Triple Stop

Local Jazz label J Curve Records launched its new Roots & Blues imprint with this release. The most immediate thing one notices about Anderson's playing is the speed with which he travels up and down the fretboard. But the lightning pace isn't just masturbatory, it's done with distinct finesse and soul. Anderson shows an amazingly impressive versatility over a wide range of styles and arrangements.

· Lucky Spaulding -- Dinosaur Love

With assistance from producer Rob Fetters (and a mind-melting solo from guitarist Adrian Belew), Spaulding emerged with his first album away from the Zionites in 2001. The tracks sound wonderful, with Spaulding's eclectic songwriting style (which leaves behind the Zionites' Reggae for a more Soul/Pop flair) shining through.

· Youngfellow -- Youngfellow

This band's debut is a thoroughly entertaining display of Youngfellow's tight musical explorations and sly (and sometimes silly) sense of humor. Youngfellow is a playful effort that uses punctuating horns in an almost Ska-like way, but there's few boundaries in the band's musical playpen. Youngfellow's diversity, which extends through Hip Hop, Hard Rock, Pop and Punk, is less contrived than most bands that try to mix it up, as the band does a very creative job with structuring the songs.

· Mohenjo Daro -- Baksheesh

Indian/Middle Eastern-flavored faves Mohenjo Daro expanded their audience this year with this release on Canadian label Tandem. The "World Fusion" combo mixes so many worldly influences you'd need a travel guide to get them all, but the energy and spirit of the music is all you really need to understand.

· Len's Lounge -- Road Dog and More Train Songs

Road Dog had been previously available on a limited basis from the band, but the new version -- put out by the local Northern Aggression Records -- features new artwork, a new running order and a few newer cuts, including a haunting cover of Guy Clark's "Dublin Blues" and the original "Rivers No More."

· Freekbass -- Body Over Mind

The latest from this popular local crew still has the funky stank of P-Funk all over it -- the legendary Bootsy Collins exec-produces -- but it's presented through a contemporary filter, taking modern Hip Hop and R&B into its clutches and making it dance with the old school. Mind is similar to the outer space groove explorations of acclaimed Hip Hop duo Outkast, who, like Freekbass, show a healthy respect for the forefathers but who are also are more than willing to experiment and stretch the bounds of groove.

· Denial -- Sinus

Sinus is impressive in its professional sound and the band members are clearly strong songwriters and musicians. The music on Sinus is highly accessible Pop/Rock, mixing in many contemporary influences, ranging from Blink 182 to Fuel. The band does a more-than-convincing job handling the radio-friendly album's diversity, slipping from poppish Punk to slicked-up, Grunge-inspired Rock with ease. ©

E-mail Mike Breen

The Year in Music: 2001 (December 20, 2001)
Think Locally, Act Locally (December 20, 2001)
Locals Only (December 20, 2001)
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