New Music Critique: Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes

New Jersey-based Scott Wolfson's material and band mates are beyond solid, so it was something of a buzzkill to discover that his lead vocals lack a fuller, more confident presence. Instead, Wolfson’s soft voice, though it has a nice, nasal honk at times, too often takes a backseat to the band––even though the musicians seem to be playing (and are recorded) with utmost reserve. His best outing as a singer is the delicate, plaintive “Johnny Gray,” which gets effective support from female backing vocalists. The infectious, memorable “We Will All Die Together” has the potential to be a rousing, barroom singalong. We urge Scott Wolfson to take charge of the mic and command attention––really go for it.