Norma Jean MacPhee

SlowcoasterWhere Are They Going?(House of Rock)On their third full-length album, these Cape Breton wildcats offer consistent jumping techno-ish rhythms. Where Are They Going? is layered with a soulful blend of voices and instruments. The subtle bits are carefully mixed in, creating a unique undercurrent of sound. After hearing Slowcoaster tear up the live stage so […]

Cyndi LauperAt Last (Epic)Girls just wanna keep having fun. If you wipe the ’80s punk Lauper image from your mind and try to forget the original melody of these tunes, then you’ll be impressed with the voice coming from your stereo. Lauper’s lively spirit pops out in the songs, especially her classic track “Stay,” “On […]

VariousA Very Special Acoustic Christmas (Lost Highway)Country is as country does. And when country does Christmas, it does it well. With a mix of Alison Krauss, Norah Jones and Alan Jackson, these seasonal tunes will have you snuggling into a cozy plaid shirt, clutching a spicy eggnog. Sam Bush’s upbeat “Let It Snow!” instrumental reminds […]

Steve MacDougallSpanish Bay(Independent)The much-anticipated solo album of Slowcoaster rocker Steven MacDougall displays a side of this staunch Cape Bretoner which is seldom witnessed amid the full band’s bouncing stage. From the playful banter of “Little Miracle” to the haunting tale of “Stove Pipe” to its lilting title track, all of Spanish Bay provides a deeper […]