Brooklyn pianist/songwriter Scott Stein takes a moodier turn on his newest EP Uphill; synthesizers swirl and backwards guitars fade in and out like ghosts as Stein's plainspoken vocals take on grief, anxiety, loss and their aftermath. There's some joy too, even if it is hard-earned. Melodies and sly musicianship still form the songs' backbone. Think Ben Folds and Sting channeling Big Star's Third. ... more