On Black Tape's seventh release, founding member Sam Rosenthal collaborates with gifted vocalist Julianna Towns to create something of a concept album. "Aflame" explores psychological aspects of love, lust and passion, from the first blush of infatuation, through lovers being stripped bare of their physical and emotional trappings, to the inevitable end of the relationship. Through spare orchestration and intriguing storytelling, the duo creates an arresting and thought-provoking storyline that leaves the listener wondering: is it autobiographical?

-- Beth Winegarner

This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle.