Box sets

Various Artists: ‘Where The Action Is: Los Angeles
Nuggets – 1965-1968’ (Rhino)
3 stars
The latest addition to the series of “Nuggets” box sets (devoted mostly to obscure pop gems from the mid-to-late-1960s) is pretty impressive when one considers it centers on one metropolitan area – Los Angeles. After all, the original Nuggets and Nuggets II sets were drawn from acts on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Many names on “Where The Action Is” will be familiar, as the set includes early tracks from the Doors, the Mamas & The Papas, the Byrds, Iron Butterfly, Sonny & Cher, Randy Newman and Warren Zevon to name a few. Many other acts included in this set have long faded into the ranks of pop footnotes, some (like The Full Treatment or October Country) apparently with good reason. But “Where The Action Is” unearths plenty of entertaining early pop tunes. Some of the notables include “The People In Me” by The Music Machine; “Time Waits For No One” by the Knack (no, not the “My Sharona” group); Thee Midnighters (the boisterous and soulful “Jump, Jive & Harmonize”); The Lamp Of Childhood (with its Lovin’ Spoonful-ish “No More Running Around”); and the Merry-Go-Round” (with it’s Beatles-esque “Listen, Listen”). How many of these songs in this set truly deserved to be pop radio hits is debatable. There are definitely some misses here. But there’s enough quality in  “Where The Action Is” to suggest that few cities had a more active and vibrant scene as pop music came of age than Los Angeles.
— Alan Sculley
If you like this, try Nuggets and Nuggets II box sets

Artists
WPA: ‘Works Progress Administration’ (WPA Records/Umami Music)
4 stars
Plenty of bluegrass and Americana fans undoubtedl y were disappointed when Nickel Creek announced it was going on hiatus. But it turns out the split is producing impressive music from several quarters, the latest of which comes from WPA, a group that pairs violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek with Toad The Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips and fiddle player Luke Bulla.

Despite the instrumentation, “Works Progress Administration” isn’t as twangy as one might expect. Yes there are a few tracks that recall Nickel Creek (such as the wonderfully frisky “Always Have My Love”), but much of the CD skews toward rootsy pop – with often brilliant results. “Cry For You” has a mournful vibe and one of the most striking melodies you’ll ever hear.

The pop side one would expect Phillips to bring to WPA shows up in prime form on “Good As Ever” and “Paralyzed.” In fact, one could go as far as to say this is the best music any of these musicians has produced. Let’s hope this collaboration lives on for years to come.
— Alan Sculley
If you like this, try Patty Griffin, Conor Oberst

The Idle Hands: ‘The Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show’ (Pretty Kids Collective)
4 stars
In rock and roll, one person’s versatility is often seen by another as lack of direction. In the case of the Idle Hands, I’ll side with the former view. On this fine CD, there’s a little Strokes here (“Damage Control”), some Depeche Mode there (“Cosmic Dancer”) and some Buzzcocks  influence to “the Fall,” as well as shadings of T. Rex, Oasis, Pulp and the Beatles.

What makes things work is that the Idle Hands bring together such varied stylistic touchpoints without sounding too much like any one of these groups. In fact, it’s hard to say this Minneapolis-based group sounds like any one band. And most importantly, the songs on “The Hearts We Broke…” are consistently strong, spirited, and packed with memorable hooks.
— Alan Sculley
If you like this, try the Strokes, Franz Ferdinand

Rodrigo y Gabriela: ‘11:11’ (ATO)
3 1/2 stars
There are no Spanish-guitar covers of Metallica numbers or classic rock songs on “11:11.” But Rodrigo y Gabriela nonetheless pay homage to their heroes — from Jimi Hendrix to late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott to Argentina tango master Astor Piazolla. The Ireland-based, Mexican duo also explores world music, mixing odes to the loud in with their thrash metal-inspired frenetic acoustic guitars.

“11:11” features Testament’s Alex Skolnick on “Atman,” a flying, sinuous number dedicated to Abbott, and the disc is produced by Colin Richardson, known for his work with Slipknot, among others. But don’t let that metal pedigree scare you away, “11:11” is a record for acoustic guitar lovers regardless of style and a must have for Spanish guitar fans. An all-instrumental affair with hints of percussion, piano and sitar, “11:11” is likely to fade into the background on repeated listens. Even then, it will be very cool background music.
— L. Kent Wolgamott
If you like this, try Beck, Flaming Lips

Serena Ryder: ‘is it o.k.’ –  (Atlantic)
3 stars
Serena Ryder is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has been championed by both Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen. Coming off like a less-over-the-top Melissa Etheridge, Ryder delivers a striking debut with “is it o.k.,” an album that showcases her grit-and-honey voice and songs of romantic angst, discovery and, on occasion, contentment.
Like Etheridge, Ryder never hits a flat-out rocker. But she’s a killer on the surging mid-tempo numbers that swell, then drop back to their acoustic bases. Ryder can also turn a phrase, which makes her songs stand up to repeat listening. There is, thankfully, some humor in her writing and, backed by some studio pros, she really delivers on tunes like the romantic “Brand New Love” and its follow-up, “Hiding Place.”
— L. Kent Wolgamott