Local Motion

Tim Charron

Tim Charron (self-released)

www.timcharron.com

Tim Charron is a singing and songwriting and guitar-slinging kind of guy. The work on this album is country-fried rock and roll for fans of modern country, Kid Rock, and American Idol. Actually, Mr. Charron has toured, recorded, and performed live with Idols Bo Bice and Bucky, so his intended demographic is clear. "Tequila Talk" proves to be the strongest track on the album. "Back in the Day," meanwhile, appears in two versions that bookend the release; Charron should have stuck with the harder one. C'mon — if you can rock that hard, don't go soft!

Tom Gorrio

Tom Gorrio Demo 2008 (self-released)

www.tomgorrio.com

Rapidly becoming my bread and butter, Tom Gorrio's seemingly incessant creative streak has thus far funded three bottles of The Glenlivet, four cartons of Camel Lights, one tryst with an overenthusiastic call girl (read: hooker), a hefty payment to Amex, and a fine lunch at Domo Japones. This demo is one of those deals where you can get one simply by approaching the man and asking for one. What a treat! Spanning home recordings from 2004 to now, these five songs show his creative process. The results are quirky pop ditties of the simple acoustic variety, all of them leaving that sugar crystallization lining your mouth. "The Painter" is a heartfelt ballad, while "My Reggae Samba Jam" is more samba than reggae, but it still rocks. Everything in between is as good, proving again that simplicity always wins.

Jacob Jeffries Band

Wonderful! (self-released)

www.jacobjeffriesband.com

Jeffries is certainly keeping busy like he promised he would when he dropped his debut EP, Life as an Extra, a couple of months ago. This album, clocking in at 45 with eight songs to enjoy, follows in the same vein of the previous effort. The piano-driven tunes are here, with soaring vocals lovingly melting over the versatile rhythm section of Lee Levin (drums) and the bass works of Brian Lang and John Falcone. Guitar tracks by Dan Warner adeptly fill the album. The spirit is decidedly humorous, with a tongue-in-cheek naiveté permeating these kooky songs to the point of achieving a carnival-like environment. "Mr. Weatherbee Freeman," "Head on My Shoulders," and the title track are delightful repeats. Big things are expected from this young man. Big things.