The Northampton, Mass. trio of brother and sister Matt Lorenz and Kate Lorenz and Zak Torjano call their music roots-rock or junk-folk which perfectly describes the eccentric sound mélange you’ll hear. These artists put their spirits into every note and lyric. Not a lot of whistles and bells. There’s more of a simple approach to the music but it’s not simplistic by any means. It’s a rock n’ roll band or a folk band whichever way you want to look at it. Mainly because there are guitars and percussion and no synthesizers. Sometimes gentle and sweet as on the plucky “I’m Alive.” Kate sings gorgeous and haunting lead vocals on “Sad Little Boys” with a sparse acoustic folk-twang accompaniment that reminds me of a Cowboy Junkies song. Matt and Kate alternate lead vocals, completely appealing and providing greater range. It’s impossible not to be entranced by the thoughtful, peaceful and rhythmic “Words that Fit” while “Change My Heart” will get you grooving. “The Waves” and “The Light in the Tunnel” are stand-outs that mix an old-timey feel with enough modernity to twist the songs to suit the band. Common Courtesy is Rusty Belle’s sixth full-length album, recorded in just one week and released today, September 10, 2013. The band’s on tour now to support it.

Rusty Belle plays Lizard Lounge in Cambridge on Saturday, September 14.

Other upcoming shows:

September 19 – The Living Room in NYC 7pm Julia Read to open

September 20 – Metropolitan in Annapolis, MD

September 21 – The Blue and The Grey in Gettysburg, PA

September 22 – The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV

September 26- Summer Knight Chapel, Keene NH. 8pm.

September 27- Radio Bean, Burlington, VT. 8pm.

September 28- Parlor Room, Northampton, MA. 8pm.

October 4- Kimball Jenkins estate, Concord, NH. 8pm.

October 5- Vanilla Bean. Pomfret, CT. 8pm.

October 12-Ludlow Town Hall. Ludlow, VT. w/ Gypsy Reel, and the Break Maids. 7pm.

Northampton, Mass. rock trio Rusty Belle will release their third album, Common Courtesy, on their own Whistle Pig Records on September 10.

TOUR DATES:

9/13 PORTLAND, ME @ One Longfellow Square
9/14 CAMBRIDGE, MA @ Lizard Lounge
9/19 NEW YORK, NY @ The Living Room
9/21 GETTYSBURG, PA @ The Blue and The Grey
9/26 KEENE, NH @ Summer Knight Chapel
9/27 BURLINGTON, VT @ Radio Bean
9/28 NORTHAMPTON, MA @ Parlor Room
10/4 CONCORD, NH @ Kimball Jenkins Estate
10/5 POMFRET, CT @ Vanilla Bean
10/12 LUDLOW, VT @ Ludlow Town Hall
10/20 ANNAPOLIS, MD @ The Metropolitan
10/21 ASHEVILLE, NC @ Jack o’ The Woods
10/22 DECATUR, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
10/23 KNOXVILLE, TN @ Preservation Pub