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Indie rock

Hope Waits - "Hope Waits" - (Radarproof)

Hearing a voice as pure as "Hope Waits" is something that doesn't happen often.

The last time I recall hearing anything so sublime would be on KT Tunstall's debut a couple of years ago.

Waits' bio reads like a Hollywood film, and by that I mean the drama came hard and fast for this woman. We're talking alcoholic father, a mother who squelched her daughter's early singing attempts out of jealousy before being murdered, and growing up in poverty in Louisiana.

But while Waits' early life was tumultuous to say the least, that voice managed to prevail, and on her self-titled debut for the Radarproof label, we are shown why we are all the better for it. Just as capable of singing a torch song as getting down and dirty with the blues, Waits tackles a combination of covers and originals on her CD with passion that really should be displayed more in the music business.

Her choices for covers are as curious when one sees them listed on the CD cover as they are ultimately appropriate, once they have been heard. Tom Waits' "Get Behind the Mule," sizzles with mischief when the female Waits works her magic on it. Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells," a criminally overlooked track from his excellent "Oh Mercy" CD, is given beautifully reverent treatment by Waits, as is the Billie Holiday standard, "Yesterdays."

Just wait until you hear the longing in Waits' voice when she tackles Ray Charles' "Drown in My Own Tears." Among the originals, the song "The Ballad of Judith Anne" is the most intriguing.

Also good is "Ignatius," which closes out the CD.

You may not know the name Hope Waits yet, but the time is coming, if her future material is as strong as this. (B+)

Download These: "Get Behind the Mule," "The Ballad of Judith Anne," "Drown in My Own Tears"

Local rock

Slow Runner — "SHIV!" — (Independent)

A band's second release says a lot about what transpired after the band's first release hit the shelves.

In the case of Slow Runner, the Charleston-based band led by Michael Flynn, the time between the release of its debut in early 2006 has seen the group leave the label to which it signed in 2005, as well as the loss of bassist Danny Cassady, who moved to New York to chase his own musical muse.

Flynn quickly regrouped and recorded a slew of new songs. As a matter of fact, there were enough songs after the demo sessions for two separate CDs. The first release, "SHIV!," builds on Slow Runner's debut, "No Disassemble," and finds Flynn growing further as a songwriter.

"I can tell by your eyes that you're already bored/'Cause you're scanning for exits and cursing the Lord," sings Flynn on the opening track, "Lower Your Standards."

There are images of teenage mischief ("Varsity Drag" begins with the lyrics "Park your car on the lawn/Their parents are gone to Boca Raton") and melancholy yearning, as on the superb "Somebody to Smother."

Throughout the album, Flynn retains his trademark keyboard sound, which sounds retro and futuristic at the same time. As a result, songs such as "Sounds Crazy But It Just Might Work," "Long Division" and "To Anyone in the World Who Cares" require repeated listening, just by virtue of the fact that the songs are so intricately crafted.

One finds themselves hearing something new each time. "Somebody to Smother" might be the best track on the CD, but that is the same as saying that "Karma Police" was the best track on "OK Computer."

That isn't to say that "SHIV!" is in any danger of supplanting that classic Radiohead album, but as far as releases by local bands go, "SHIV!" is as creatively good as it gets. (A-)

Download These: "Somebody To Smother," "Long Division," "Lower Your Standards"

Local rock

Jay Clifford - "Driving Blind" - (Independent)

Since the breakup of local group Jump, each of the band's members has gone on to new projects.

Evan and Matt Bivins are currently dreaming up the next version of the immensely popular stage show "Cabaret Kiki," bassist Jonathan Gray has been playing with Slowrunner and Howie Day, and Ward Williams recently moved to Manhattan after releasing his debut solo effort.

For Jay Clifford though, it seems that life after Jump has been particularly good. The singer-songwriter has made a name for himself as a songwriter, collaborating with everyone from Howie Day to Sean Lennon.

On his new solo CD, "Driving Blind," Clifford showcases the songwriting talents that have made him a sought after tunesmith in the industry.

The album's opening track, "Know When to Walk Away," is reminiscent of Jump, with Clifford's unique vocals immediately settling into a well-paced groove. The ultra-catchy keyboard riff on the title track mixes well with Clifford's singing, which reminds one of Duncan Sheik.

Elsewhere on the CD are great efforts such as "Turning Sand to Glass" and "Invisible Sun."

An impressive crew helped make "Driving Blind" possible, including drummer Travis McNabb (Better Than Ezra, Sugarland), bassist Dan Rothchild (Beck, Fiona Apple), and guitarists Dave Levita (Alanis Morissette, Daniel Powter) and Greg Suran (Sunny Day Real Estate, Jewel).

The CD was mixed by Mark Needham, who also twirled the knobs on releases by The Killers and Chris Isaak.

Jump might be gone, but as most predicted, each former member has stayed involved in the arts. Clifford's new CD just may be the best evidence yet that going solo was the best choice for all involved. (A-)

Download These: "Driving Blind," "Turning Sand to Glass," "Invisible Sun"