In contrast to her excellent, endlessly promising 2008 EP, Afton, Anni Rossi’s new full-length LP, Rockwell, eschews certain creative self-indulgencies. Gone for the most part are the Chicago-based viola player’s vocal eccentricities—Rossi’s endearingly excitable screams became Afton’s calling card—and the diverse, eclectic instrumentation (bassoon and lo-fi synth sounds) is replaced by a more focused musical sensibility.
Updated 06/04/2009