Display of talent
Sarah Borges, Wolff Sisters, Weakened Friends drop trio of gems
The nights are growing cooler, but you can stay warm with some hot tunes from some sizzling artists making an impact on Boston. Nashville tries to have a monopoly on twang. But Sarah Borges is from the Silver City of Taunton and still lives in the Boston area, and her voice twangs like Bill Kirchen’s Telecaster. Or a Lloyd Green pedal steel solo. Or a set of barroom doors in Dodge City. For a decade, Borges and her voice have shown you can make Nashville country, New York City punk and heartland rock ’n’ roll, right here in Mass. With her latest album, “Love’s Middle Name,” Borges and the Broken Singles run through the styles and sounds that made them shine on such early releases as “Diamonds in the Dark.” “Let Me Try It” mines Stones-y influences; “Grow Wings” lets the singer be wounded with a little soul. But style and a voice that rings like bent strings on a well-worn Telecaster only work when paired with strong songcraft. Borges has always known this, and so, as “Love’s Middle Name” dips into different genres and goes from roars to whispers, she makes sure each song holds up to the standard of her heroes. Help celebrate Borges’ return at her release party at Atwood’s Tavern in Cambridge on Nov. 17. ••• Americana is a nebulous musical genre. You can stretch it to cover Bob Dylan’s country period, Stevie Nicks’ dreamy pop and every twist and turn made by Wilco, Neko Case and the Avett Brothers. Sometimes that makes Americana a meaningless descriptor, but its elasticity suits the Wolff Sisters’ LP “Cahoon Hollow.” The Massachusetts trio of sisters — Rebecca, Rachael and Kat — have conjured a second album that looks at every angle of Americana. “Cahoon Hollow” plays like a master class in pop and folk songcraft, Nashvillestudio-sessions-to-Appalachian-picking-party musicianship and an earthy production fit for Dylan in the ’60s or a modern Tedeschi Trucks Band record. The women’s voices meet in a mighty crescendo over Kat’s church choir organ and barroom piano on “Cowboy Heart.” Rachael’s bluesy, swaggering electric guitar gives way to the sweet harmonies at the center of “The Hollow.” On “Cahoon Hollow,” the Wolff Sisters pull from so many influences (on “Dreamin’ ” alone you can hear ’60s girl groups, ’70s classic rock and outlaw country), but their unique blend of voices make each track feel fresh, like a new creation from old ingredients. Hear the harmonies when the Wolff Sisters play Atwood’s on Nov. 8. ••• The candy-coated sneer is one of the most difficult rock moves to pull off. Your voice has to imply “I’ll destroy you!” while still singing a charming melody over a bed of poppyyet-growling music. Sonia Sturino’s talent for the candy-coated sneer may be unparalleled. With her revved-up guitar and sweet-snarl vocals, Sturino leads Portland’s Weakened Friends through 10 tunes on their new LP “Common Blah.” Sturino and band packed the tracks full of heartbreak, catchy choruses and indie rock pulled from wild ’80s and ’90s influences. Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis shows up on guitar, but the trio — rounded out by bassist Annie Hoffman and drummer Cam Jones — don’t need much help. Sturino writes “Waste” with a sharp, barbed hook, then harpoons the song with screaming, distorted guitar. “Early” could be a pretty folk ballad if the band didn’t push it to a noise rock climax. Weakened Friends will go international with “Common Blah.” (European dates have already been booked.) The songwriting, impassioned delivery and sneering on the new record will ensure that. But the band burns hotter live. Seeing is believing, so go see them Nov. 15 at Great Scott in Allston.