1999’s Sacred Avenue was a beautiful collection of mature tunes that should’ve received the same accolades that critics wasted on the last three Elvis Costello albums. There are a lot of new Rome 56 songs that may never even get released, so don’t stay home and give When I Was Cruel one more try. Appearing at C-Note, 157 Ave. C (10th St.), 212-677-8142; 8, $5.
JRTaylor - New York Press
Shirts guitarist/vocalist Artie Lamonica turned up back on CBGB's stage, filling one side of a live cassette with his solo debut. Supported by a skilled quartet and bearing traces of Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan and Dion in his voice, Jing makes a credible, well-recorded showing. Four of the same songs turn up again on the eponymous studio album, a not unpleasant anachronism that has its roots in '70s new wave, Brill Building pop and the same mixture of '60s rock and soul that informed Springsteen's early records.
Ira Robbins - Trouser Press
Ira Robbins - Trouser Press