By David Malachowski
Reviewer

ARTIST: Lisa Bianco

ALBUM: “Postdata”

You don’t realize what’s missing in most modern rock artists until you hear someone like Lisa Bianco do it the way it’s supposed to be done.

The Astoria-based Bianco was in band Red Jacket before breaking out on her own, which she does now with verve. She sings of e-relationships in this texting, Facebook-addicted world in “Post Data,” thoughtfully produced with by Bryan Russell (Envy on the Coast).

A yearning vocal floats above lush layers of guitars as, in “Tumble Like Weeds,” she admits, “The trouble with me/is I’m comfortable in a world that’s lonely.” As giant chords arrive, an airy, lovely voice appears and says, “I took it hard/as if I smash my face” over meaty guitars ala Joan Jett in the chunky ode to salvation “All the Things That Remind Me.”

The spare beauty of “Sideways” soon falls into the circular woo hoo ooh ohhs of “Whatever the Cost,” which ends with a jaw-dropping guitar solo by Bianco herself, and with a glorious tone to die for (She does another one in “Already Gone”). “Catch & Weave” is a highlight, a simple fingerpicked guitar figure is all that is needed, but curiously, it’s done on electric not acoustic — a subtle but effective touch. The haunting epic “Post Data/We Communicate” takes this journey back home.

If a soothing voice, thick guitars, slamming backbeats and clever lyrics make you happy, you’ll be in rock ‘n’ roll heaven.

Visit www.myspace.com/lisabianco.

Catch Bianco on May 16 at the Muddy Cup on Main Street in New Paltz.

David Malachowski is a guitarist, producer and freelance journalist living in Woodstock. The Freeman seeks CDs by local artists or artists appearing locally for review. Please send all CDs (please no CD-Rs or demo CDs) to Daily Freeman c/o Preview, 79 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. Continued...

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Audio tracks:

1. "Tumble Like Weeds"

2. "All The Things That Remind Me"

3. "Sideways"

4. "Whatever The Cost"

5. "Already Gone"

6. "Catch & Weave"

7. "Something to Prove"

8. "Falling Leaves"

9. "As Good As It Gets" Continued...

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10. "Post Data / We Communicate"

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