16 illinoisentertainer . com december 2024
Continued from page 14 is more than a little fortuitous . These songs were recorded in 2023 , shortly after Rosenstein retired from his U of I professorship and only days before relocating from his downstate home to the East Coast . Gathering with talented friends John Tubbs on double bass , Sean Kutzko on drums , and Jesse Brown on keyboards , the quartet spent a single day making intimate recordings of songs Rosenstein had accumulated for many years . These songs turn out to be Rosenstein ’ s most personal and compelling ever . “ Dinner from a Bag ” recounts a bleary-eyed and ruminative road trip , leaving a loved one behind and traveling homeward through the country and pre-dawn light . The cinematic portrait is punctuated by Rosenstein ’ s reedy harmonica and buoyed by Dyke Corson ’ s weeping pedal steel , visited approvingly by the ghosts of beloved Illinois songsmiths Steve Goodman and John Prine . The upbeat country shuffle “ Soulless Times ” wrestles with the dichotomy of feeling beaten back by an avalanche of bitter truths and society ’ s seemingly willful complacency but still appreciating the opportunity to make a go of it . " I was born into these soulless times , but I ' m glad for the chance to be alive ,” sings Rosenstein in summary . It ’ s an admitted curmudgeon ’ s expression of optimism , rooted in Rosenstein ’ s flatpicked bluegrass lick . The lively “ That ’ s You , Illinois ” is a wry but loving ode to Rosenstein ’ s home state on his way out the door . Despite its plainly apparent flaws , the singer praises “ a beauty that is well concealed .” Unfolding with the steady sound of Southern folk and gospel , “ Afraid of Leaving Home ” includes the touch of another figure familiar from the days of Otis and the Elevators . Mudhens guitarist Bruce Rummenie is credited with writing Rosenstein ’ s spaghetti-western guitar solo . Rosenstein sings to exorcise the fear that dismantles a spirit of adventure or undermines the risk implicit in any kind of growth . “ I left and walked a hundred miles , heard the night wind cry and moan ,” he sings . “ So , I turned and walked a hundred back . I ’ m afraid of leaving home .” As an opposite number , “ Somewhere in North America ” celebrates the freedom to run away in pursuit of a dream . Set against shimmering
electric piano , the song is reminiscent of Paul Simon ’ s understated but captivating fare , which includes “ Hearts and Bones ” and “ Train in the Distance .” The escape from the past and the potential of a new day is echoed in a bluegrass breakdown with effervescent banjo by Ellery Marshall . The set ' s centerpiece is the confessional and relatable “ I Owe Time .” The song ’ s original perspective is shifted and deepened by the water under the bridge since Rosenstein wrote it . An impression of reckless honesty is heightened by the knowledge that Rosenstein ’ s vulnerable vocal was a scratch take intended only for those in the room playing the song together . “ Time is my friend , but now I owe time ,” sings Rosenstein atop the rhythm of Kutzko ’ s brushed drums and the warmth of Tubbs ’ rumbling bass . The quartet reacts in real time with emotion and intuition . Following Rosenstein ’ s plaintive acoustic guitar twang , the song takes flight with Jesse Brown ’ s sparkling piano solo . Corson ’ s steel lends additional pathos . In his liner notes , Rosenstein writes that he hopes the Cowboy Junkies will record the song one day if only someone could pass it along at the right moment . Only Margo Timmins ’ voice could make “ I Owe Time ” more sublime than what ’ s already here .
– Jeff Elbel
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MOLDER Catastrophic Reconfiguration ( Prosthetic )
Local modern death metal scabs , Molder , has steadily carved out a solid name within the genre since its 2017 formation . On its third release , Catastrophic Reconfiguration , the Shorewood band ’ s obsession with all things decomposing remains the central focal point on its ten decaying tracks . The band — featuring guitarist / vocalist Aaren Pantke , bassist Dominic Vaia , drummer Kyle Poole , and new guitarist Carlos Santini — creates a simplistic , less-is-more approach with