For music lovers of a certain age, the infatuation goes well beyond the sounds themselves. Fans of all stripes have long fetishized the media by which tunes are transmitted, from old-time 45s to shiny compact discs. But with broadband downloads and portable MP3 players replacing the old means of distribution, the era of the collector may soon be over.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

St. Albans will probably never be known as a fount of quality indie-rock, but local boys Farm are making music as though that were indeed the case. I gave their debut CD (released under the short-lived moniker House Horse) a pretty positive review a year or two ago, and I've been eagerly anticipating its follow-up, Gray Birds. I'm pleased to say it doesn't disappoint.... Read more

Looks like this is gonna be my final column before our brand-new, factory-fresh Music Editor Dan Bolles takes over. No kidding — he actually smells like a buffed leather car seat. We’ve been sharing pretty close quarters here at the office.

I thought I’d have some Really Important Stuff to say about finally splitting Burlington after 15 years, but I’m not sure I’m up to the task. I can tell you this: It’s been fun. Well, except for shoveling snow and scraping off windshields. Also, Vermont doesn’t have an IMAX movie theater. Those things are awesome.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Burlington's Romans can't be strictly categorized as a hardcore band. That's not the most surefooted way to start a review, but these dudes are way more eclectic than many of their aggro peers. So let me simply tell you why their debut, All Those Wrists, rules.... Read more

What if the late Frank Zappa had a thing for trad blues and Americana, stopped being so cryptically cynical and underwent a major attitude adjustment? Well, he might've sounded a bit like David Bromberg, the eclectic folk hero, bluesman and songwriter extraordinaire, who plays the Higher Ground Ballroom on Saturday, May 12.... Read more

It’s been a while since songwriting genius/professional crank Bob Dylan has been seen in Vermont. Of course, that’s not counting the annual Bob Dylan Wanna Be Contest in Montpelier, during which locals compete to see who can best channel The Bob. But I digress.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

If there can be such a thing as a modern old-school country band, central Vermont's Stone Cold Roosters are it. The group's debut, Out of the Woods, is righteously old-fashioned, yet the disc has a sonic richness more common to today's rock and r&b records.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Burlington can claim its fair share of Americana acts, most of 'em on the mellower, acoustic side of the fence. That's not the case with Chuch, a defiantly rockin' quartet that has enjoyed a fair amount of acclaim, locally and otherwise, since coming together a few years ago. The band's blue-collar work ethic means they've damn-straight earned it.

Chuch's soon-to-be-released sophomore album, Juarez, finds the boys doing what they do best - namely, burning some serious sonic rubber on 10 tracks of bang 'n' twang.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Burlington trio Oak are one of the most interesting and musically talented groups I've ever heard locally, and I don't think they've been together for even a year.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Ex-Burlingtonian Alex Toth may still be a pup, but he's already accomplished plenty. Since graduating from UVM a couple of years ago, he's been among the most celebrated musicians in the Green Mountains, performing with "psychotropical" act Guagua as well as his own outfit, the Lazybirds.... Read more