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Nickel Creek’s back and the payoff’s rich

Nickel Creek A Dotted Line Nonesuch A

When bands take a timeout, as the gifted progressive bluegrass/ acoustic musicians Nickel Creek did in 2007, fans remain hopeful. That hope has been paid off with serious rewards in the renewed energy and fresh spirit that infuses A Dotted Line. It doesn’t retread what was, but presents what is and what might be.

“Rest of My Life” is an astonishing tune that revels in a wonderful vocal blend among Chris Thile and siblings Sara and Sean Watkins. Sam Phillips’ aching “Where Is Love Now” is tender and heart-rending. “Destination” has a propulsive intensity in Sara Watkins’ complicated, unresolved emotions. The contemplative and minor-key dynamics of “Christmas Eve” glows on Sean Watkins’ hopeful vocal and Sara Watkins’ yearning, melancholy fiddle. On “Love of Mine,” Thile’s vocal is glowingly romantic and instruments track the song’s up-and-down emotions.

The coolness of this album is anchored in the reality that it feels like another step forward in this group’s fascinating evolution.

Hot tracks: the tradition-breaking, twangy and funky groove of “Hayloft,” “Love of Mine,” “Christmas Eve.” - ELLIS WIDNER

Pepperboy 3 Volleys Greenovasouth B+

Last we heard from hiphop boss Pepperboy was on the excellent Mixed Message EP with fellow Little Rock rapper 607. Now he’s has finally dropped 3 Volleys, his latest long player.

Filled with spare, laid-back, sometimes jittery beats, 3 Volleys is loaded with death, violence, war, terrorism and paranoia - even the title is taken from a tribute to the fallen. Pep’s got a lot on his mind and he’s not afraid to rap about it in his slinky, falsetto delivery while trying to make sense of a chaotic world, reporting from the streets and with dispatches from Afghanistan, Nazi Germany, prison and other dark places.

On “Psycho,” he weaves a creepy and addictive tale of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Son of Sam killer David Berkowitz, Crips, Bloods and his own life on the streets. The title cut is an expansive, nightmarish banger and “Anne Frank,” with its sample of Hitler on the intro and synthy, New Wave-flavored bed produced by K20, finds Pepperboy puzzling over the madness of the Holocaust.

Sortahuman and Elliott Niezel guest on “Cold World,” and Metro Z shows up on “Us Against Them” another synth-heavy head-bobber.

It’s a dark trip through the 17 tracks here, but it’s not oppressive.

Pepperboy’s writing about what he knows and what he sees, whether from his front door or on the news, and he’s just trying to wrap his mind around it all. The results are fascinating.

Available at greenovasouth.com.

Hot tracks: “Anne Frank,” “3 Volleys,” “Dreams.” - SEAN CLANCY

Protomartyr Under Color of Official Right Hardly Art B

Protomartyr’s second release is moody, droning post-punk with disenchanted, vaguely political/philosophical lyrics (“overconfidence is a parasite,” “gluten fascists”) set against precise, quick-changing drums and fuzzy guitars. They’re Manchester, England, in 1976, Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1997 and Detroit in 2014.

(No, really, they are Detroit in 2014. Can’t you hear the industrial decay?)

The quartet delivers single-note guitar lines that rupture in cacophonous bursts, all clanging cymbals and raw reverb. But they always manage to remain melodic, kindof like the darkest, hardest offerings from Arcade Fire (we doubt either band would embrace the comparison). There are also tracks like “Ain’t So Simple”- hook-laden, poppy power-punk that would be reminiscent of Jawbreaker if it weren’t for Joe Casey’s off-key baritone. They have the kind of throbbing energy best transmitted live, but this album makes a good contingency plan.

Hot tracks: “Come & See,” “What the Wall Said,” “Scum Rise.” - CHEREE FRANCO

Lisa Ferraro Serenading the Moon Self-released B

Deep, rich tones and a list of old-fashioned jazz tunes make for soothing listening from singer Lisa Ferraro and tenor saxophonist Houston Person.

Most of the songs, which follow a romantic nighttime theme, are collaborations between the two (with help from piano, guitar, drums and bass) and they work together well, bringing a nice soulfulness to works by composers such as Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, the Gershwins and Henry Mancini.

Some of the slower-paced songs like “Maybe You’ll Be There” tend to drag a bit and would probably work better as background accompaniment for a dinner party but Ferraro and Person let loose and have fun on more uptempo numbers like “Lucky So and So.”

The album is pleasant and soothing. Available at lisaferraro.com.

Hot tracks: “Lucky So and So,” “Teach Me Tonight.” - JENNIFER NIXON

Lyla Foy Mirrors the Sky Sub Pop B

Ahhhh, this is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Lyla Foy’s sleepy vocals and the lush production - just-got-out-of-bed beats, muted dance jams and shimmery guitar - are fine companions for an hour or so curled up alone indoors with a nice beverage and a daydream or two.

Hot tracks: “Impossible” and the blippy “Feather Tongue.” - SEAN CLANCY

Style, Pages 31 on 04/15/2014

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