Two groups with activist genes—Dave Douglas’s new quartet and Bellbird—offer releases that take clear political and moral positions.

Two groups with activist genes—Dave Douglas’s new quartet and Bellbird—offer releases that take clear political and moral positions.

The music had started sounding the same to me, and I feared that I could not listen—or hear—anymore. Then, within a week or so, I came across these five albums—from John Lurie, American Patchwork Quartet, Alexvndria, the Yes! Trio, and Allison Burik—that sound nothing like one another. Thank goodness. Here are five short (mostly) reviews to whet your appetite.
