Hits and Misses

Trey Anastasio

4/5

When Phish took a long-term break in 2000, the band's cult following wondered what would happen next. The distress in towns like Burlington and Amherst was palpable. Some found solace in the welcoming hands of other aspiring jam bands. Others smoked up. Most did both.

Now fans have another option: Trey Anastasio, Phish's main dude, has been occasionally touring as a solo act and has recently released that project's self-titled debut album, a complex and satisfying offering. Cheery, hip, funk-heavy, and friendly beats establish an eye-winking foundation that invites listeners into Anastasio's world. The former Phishter's planet - inhabited by an eight-member supporting band and guest members such as Nicholas Payton - is pleasantly mellow in a flannel and corduroy kind of way. The album is perfect Sunday morning fare, soaring high, delicately dancing about, then deftly bolting for the finish line with careful keyboards and playful woodwind intrusions.

- Rob Lott

Decifunk

3/5

Can a ten-piece funk orchestra be done justice on a studio disc? Open Your Eyes begins a little unsure of whether it can affirmatively answer that question, but luckily both the album's quality and musical self-confidence pick up. Composer Kenny Cascioli's bass and drummer Todd Budich's beats keep everything together, paving the way for the group's dueling guitars and horn section. The presence of both a male and a female vocalist allows Decifunk to experiment with harmonies as well as call-and-response lyrics.

The songs speak for themselves, each delicately and meticulously arranged. "Pretend" is a straight-out throwback to the low-end, rumblin' bass style of P-Funk. "Rollercoaster" is pure seduction, and "Pop The Top" is pure fun. Even more impressive is Decifunk's resume: they've opened for Soulive and seem to be constantly on tour. Live funk is made for dancin', and if Decifunk plays anything like they record, they'll have you out on the floor.

-Rob Bellinger

Bonnie Raitt

4/5

Bonnie Raitt has long established herself as a diva of country pop and blues. Her latest endeavor, Silver Lining, showcases her versatile voice while serving up a compilation of upbeat rhythmic pieces along with slow and sultry love ballads.

But it's not just Raitt herself that makes this album shine. Her spirited backup band provides skilled instrumental riffs and harmonies that create an additional edge to many of the selections. "Fool's Game" (not to be confused with Jewel's "Foolish Games"), for example, works perfectly as the album's opening track, grabbing the listener with its honesty. While many of the songs are covers, Raitt's own "Gnawin' On It" (co-written with country legend Kenny Rogers), "No Getting' Over You," and "Back Around" are enough to spice up the album with some original flavor. And I'm not even a huge fan of country music.

-Lauren Phillips