Around Hear: September 2013

When you’ve got enough band members to field a baseball team, the music could easily go in nine different directions. Fortunately, Chicago Loud 9 avoid that trap on its invigorating, 10-song jazz/rap/rock debut, cLOUD9 LP. It takes a bit to warm to the album’s unique assortment, but by the time tracks like “Almost Let It Get To Me” and “Chill Wait” kick in – both featuring pitch-perfect brass vying with razor-sharp vocals – it’s impossible not to wish for extra innings.

– Jeff Berkwits