February 20, 2005

Anonymous - Kieran McGee, Stanton Street Records

By Mark Bialczek

The music from "Anonymous" should be attracting a crowd for singer-songwriter Kieran McGee. McGee combines a great voice, folk and rock touches and even a slight Irish lilt for a 13-song set that shines all the way through. "Faithless" features a harmonica riff that brings Bob Dylan's early days to mind; "Waiting for a Friend" uses that same instrument in a sound that's fresh from Bruce Springsteen's rolling guy-in-a-car stories. That's good company. "Odessa" brings a melancholy country touch, while "The Second Time Around" pulses as a go-for-broke rocker. McGee's only 23, yet he's been honing his unique take on American roots music barely in the national eye since he was 15. It's time for everybody to revel. Catch a show: McGee plays at 9 p.m. Friday at the Mezzanotte Lounge on North Salina Street in Syracuse.