Rick Berlin - Old Stag (Hi-N-Dry) This one is easy - Beautiful. From the delicate strings and even more delicate feelings put across on this latest album from one of the area's most beloved legends, 'Old Stag' simply reeks with beauty. Recorded in the maestro's apartment in Jamaica Plain by Joe Stewart, the album wafts from the twinkling devotional 'Always' and the defensive and appropriately dark 'Underground' to the playfully pointed and musically multifaceted 'Happy Lesbians In The Snow,' the fearful exploration of 'Psycho,' and the sneering Asia minors of 'Michiko.' Along the way, Berlin and his latest group of talented cohorts (which include members of Sand Machine and arranger Brendan Cooney) deal with a wide array of topics and emotions - from prejudice ('How Can I Hate People I Don't Know?' and jealousy ('Lesbians') to obsession ('The Fan') chemically assisted wonderment ('House On Fire') to 'love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love' ('Love On A Wire') - each one painted masterfully with Berlin's casual ear-written style and aching vocal stretches. It's simple. It's complex. It's low-tech. It's high art. It's beautiful. - Matt Robinson