Hits and Misses

Angus

Face The Day

2.5/5 stars

There's something about Angus. That would probably be The Matt Angus Thing, a blunt name for the latest project from an artist whose most recent album Face The Day is a pleasantly mellow listen. Angus, who performs here with Kim Williams and John Davies, has written and performed a handful of lively tunes with cheery pop-based lyrics and innocuous melodies that rest comfortably without grabbing too much attention. It's friendly music and the performers' skills are apparent.

But then again, it's not especially compelling or innovative either. Ordinary drum licks rumble through the tracks, organ chords pop up then softly fade away from time to time, and Williams' sweet, subtle voice occasionally gives much needed texture to the dusty sonic landscape. Ultimately, the foreground is overshadowed by the background and Angus, who happens to be performing at the House of Blues in Cambridge on Feb. 24, just doesn't posses the vocal agility or imagination to sustain an album so full of potential.

-Rob Lott

Dakota Moon

3.5/5 stars

I have yet to decide whether Dakota Moon is a male version of TLC or Destiny's Child, the African-American answer to a boy band, or a new, up-and-coming incarnation of Boyz II Men. Perhaps most intriguing is that the band manages to combine the best of all three genres on it second album, A Place to Land.

If the title song, "Looking For a Place to Land," sounds familiar, it's because it was featured on NBC commercials that promoted the network's new series last fall. The tune is upbeat and catchy, despite uninspiring lyrics - perfect for use in an advertising campaign.

The rest of the songs are surprisingly crisp, encompassing a range of styles and communicating effective presentations. The entire album would make a great soundtrack for any road trip with its polished spunk and accessible - though a bit simplistic - collection of music.

-Lauren Phillips

Great Big Sea

3/5 stars

It's pretty hard to pin down Great Big Sea - does the band purvey modern-day pirate music, Celtic-influenced drinking songs, or something in between? The Canadian quartet blends fast-paced acoustic guitars with inventive percussion and traditionally folk instruments - like fiddles, mandolins, banjos, and the bouzouki, yet another stringed instrument. The album takes on a distinctly nautical theme, with track titles like "Barque In The Harbor" and "Yarmouth Town." Great Big Sea's fast-paced, storytelling numbers would sound great in any bar, whether performed live or on disc. On "Scolding Wife," the band sings in unison the undeniably fun sing-along chorus: "And if the devil would take her, I'd thank him for his pain/I swear to God I'll hang myself if I get married again." The lyrical strength of softer tracks is practically nonexistent ("While you waste your precious hours, I could fill your day with hours"), but the band provides enough rollicking numbers to keep Sea Of No Cares from... capsizing.

-Rob Bellinger