CD release shows

This is the week to take a chance on a couple of CD release shows. The Elect is returning to local performances with two CDs in hand — a full-band affair, In Your Heart, There’s a Light, and a folk-rock oriented release foregrounding primary songwriter and singer Michael Weir, Stitches Stronger than Steel. The Elect identifies themselves as a jam band, but their Southern soul brings to mind the Allman Brothers or The Band more than the Dead. The opening track from Heart is particularly strong and well-composed, with call-and-response chorus, bluesy guitar and a laid-back, tasteful opening bass line. The album is great production-wise, with a full sound and solid rock and soul numbers throughout. The title track to Stitches is an understated ballad that focuses on the evocative central idea of “stitches of your love” mending a broken heart, and shows off a band that’s quite versatile, retaining a groove and an ability to craft a strong melody in a more of a folk-rock setting.

The Elect double CD release party is at the Rathskeller biergarten Saturday, May 31, 7-11 p.m. and is free.

Also this week: Friday, 8 p.m. at Center Stage Café, folk-rocker Kendall Ludwig will celebrate the release of his first full-length, Where Most Dreams Die, a nine-track collection of Ludwig’s originals. The opening track, “You’re Satisfied,” is appropriately about thwarted dreams, with the narrator addressing those several characters that really shouldn’t be satisfied with their lives yet. The backing band is a little loose, and electric guitar a bit too prominent and busy, but the core of the song — Ludwig’s voice, guitar and songwriting — is strong and memorable.

Elsewhere

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