I was given this five-song demo to listen to by our fearless leader here at Folktowne. The artist is Ben Rothermel. I had heard the name but hadn’t yet heard any of his music. I had no idea what I was missing! By the time I had finished listening I was a fan of this young singer/songwriter. To be honest, it didn’t actually take all five songs. By the end of the second track I was hooked.

This is the first full-length release from the Mark DeRose Band, following their self-titled EP. Although I’m not usually big on live records, the EP left me wanting to hear more from this group and they do not disappoint.

Every time the first track of Toy Soldiers’ Whisper Down the Lane comes on, my son thinks it’s the beginning of the Johnny Cash song “Going to Memphis.” But he is never disappointed when he realizes his mistake. The song, “Throw Me Down,” begins with an tinny, echoing couple of lines from lead singer Ron Gallo that give way to a roll-the-windows-down, crank-it-til-the-knob-falls-off, sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs good time.

Although he is just 19 years old, on his first CD—“Bottom”—Ryan Wickersham already seems to have the ability and taste of an artist much older. He shows ability because the songwriting and performances on this album are not only of a high caliber, but also demonstrate the chops of someone with much more experience. Not only musical experience, either.

OK, let’s get this out of the way right up front: I am not going to draw comparisons between A.D. Chandler and Tom Waits.

I generally try to avoid the “sounds like” descriptions anyway, but this particular cliché is one I refuse to make. Ever. I’m not buying it, and I’m tired of hearing it. Sure, A.D. has an indisputable grit in his voice and a bluesy edge to his persona. His lyrics are clever, and he seems to be most in his element singing songs with titles like Thank God for Whiskey in a place like First Capital Dispensing Co, a dark bar with an uneven floor, the air eternally thick with smoke (also one of the very best places in York for live music).

Dana Alexandra’s first full-length album is, in a word, sweet.

Her music is a perfect reflection of her bubbly, girl-next-door personality. It would be easy to write this pretty, folksy songstress off as another mildly flaky artistic-type with a guitar, but her precocious persona is balanced out with enough grace and soul that she comes off as perfectly charming. And listen to just one song and it’s apparent: the girl can blow.

On their debut CD Vinegar Creek Constituency does not misstep. The group’s vocals are great, built around the lead vocals of guitarist Leonardo DiSanto, and their instrumental work is tight and supportive. Because their instrumentation is that of a traditional bluegrass group, the temptation is to put them in that box (Winning the first Delfest bluegrass band competition doesn’t hurt!), but that doesn’t begin to cover what they do.

So, I pop in this four-song EP by Mark DeRose and band, a follow-up to his excellent full-length CD “tales from the Sandcastle Kingdom.” I’m listening to the first song—“Breathing Life”—and I’m thinking to myself, “Good tune,” but then about 50 seconds in the chorus hits and, WOW! Suddenly the record lifts into another gear and the rest of the CD lives up to that first chorus. The only problem I can find with it is that when it was over, I wanted more.

Although I’ve heard about the band, listening to this CD is my first actual exposure to Slimfit. And if it’s true that first impressions are lasting ones, well then, my first impression is that they are a fun-loving band who takes the music they make seriously, but not themselves. There is joy in this record: the joy of friendship, the joy of making music and the joy of creativity.

An excellent debut from singer/songwriter Scott McKenna. Opening with a lovely instrumental number titled “Just the Beginning” and closing with the ballad “So Far,” McKenna delivers with solid songs and expressive singing throughout. With the exception of the Celtic-flavored “Lies” (which should get you up and dancing), this CD fits right into the folk/pop category along with Dave Matthews Band, Duncan Sheik and early John Mayer.