Pelusa
Where You Were Before
Self-release

The term "alt-country" is overused and never quite clearly defined, but it's one way to describe Pelusa. The band plays rootsy music that years ago would have been heard around the front porch. Today, the backdrop would be a hip coffeehouse.
The group - Julian Martlew, Moe Provencher and Mike McDermott - is at heart a folk trio. All write songs, take turns singing and play several different instruments. The CD opens with the folksy "Day in Georgia." An acoustic guitar sets the intimate tone, and Provencher sings with quiet strength. There's nothing fancy, but extras aren't needed. The trio then picks up the pace with "Rosalie," a tune that would be comfortable in the Dead's catalog. The high sound of a mandolin, and the group singing together makes the song instantly likable.

The band shows a harder edge on "Woke Up In Water," which uses amplified instrumentals to deliver a driving beat. As its name says, "St. Peter's Talkin' Parish Festival Blues" is a fast-paced talkin' blues tune in the tradition of Dylan with lines like "I can make a promise with my life at stake cause I know someone who's gonna cut me a break." There are no big moments on Where You Were Before, but there are plenty of fine little ones. -- D. Kimura