ALO/Yojimbo

Under the radar of West Coast alt-rock flies ALO, a dynamic backyard-campfire band well versed in the nuances of full-band improvisation and jaaaaams. They’ve got an impressive discography, and they added to it last week with Tangle of Time. The new album tosses a gem onto their totem pole of songwriting and musicianship. Tracks like “The Ticket” and “Not Old Yet” tap into the band’s penchant for majestic patterns (the former) and laid-back grooves cut with casual storytelling (the latter). The band was road-testing some of these songs all year, including at their stop in Northeast Ohio at The Ville. “It’s important for a band like us, because how we play together is a big part of what the band is all about,” guitarist Dan Lebowitz told Scene at the time. “We’ve got these songs, and the way we interpret them is important. It’s important to test them out before we commit them to the record.” (Sandy)