Mar 10, 2014
Mar 9, 2014
Mar 8, 2014
Mar 7, 2014
YouTube Gems: Lake Street Dive
From their new album Bad Self Portraits, here's Lake Street Dive with the title track. RIYL: Norah Jones, Lydia Loveless, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Alabama Shakes, The Supremes, Sarah Jarosz.
Mar 6, 2014
Album Review: Mat D and the Profane Saints - Holyoke
Mat D and the Profane Saints - Holyoke
Mat DeRiso's voice isn't going to find him trying out for American Idol anytime soon. It's not that he's pitchy (dawg), but he sings like he recently chased a Brillo pad with a double-shot of something off the bottom shelf at a rural route dive. That might not win him a plum spot on Clearchannel next to Joe Nichols, but it certainly makes these dusty roadhouse rockers and folksy laments all the more lived in.
From song titles like "Gambling Girls and Guns" and "Aces in a Dead Man's Hand," you'd assume you're in for tales of ne'er-do-wells and outlaws. You'd be correct in thinking that, but these aren't cliché-laden exercises in "genericana." They're well-written and hard-hitting glimpses into the unrepentant lives of murderers, thieves and hard-living regular folks.
The title track is a serpentine mid-tempo track with crisp, bluesy playing and some of Mat D's more restrained (but no less effective) vocals. There's nothing holy about the imagery of this tune as devils and doubters come together on a bleak landscape.
"Eastbound Denver Train" is one of the catchier numbers on Holyoke. It's a shuffling country rocker that sounds like something Johnny Cash could've cut. The guitar work on this track is particularly good.
At times blending together or favoring folk, rock, rockabilly and/or country, Holyoke is a shit-kicker of an album that holds nothing back. There's a beauty and poetry in these hard-sung stories of difficult lives.
RIYL: Scott H. Biram, Shooter Jennings, Tom Waits, Possessed by Paul James, Steve Earle, Left Lane Cruiser.
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Mar 5, 2014
Mar 4, 2014
Album Review: Jeff Whitehead - Bloodhound Heart
"Every song's a prayer" sings Jeff Whitehead on the opener of his thoughtful new album Bloodhound Heart. It's a statement of personal direction that I wish applied to more artists, but certainly rings true across Whitehead's nine soulful cuts here.
Jeff sings with an old-soul rasp that perfectly matches these songs of love, estrangement, commitment and loss. There's a special attention to the bottom end on much of the album - bass and rhythm, not sugar shakers - sometimes with an upright, sometimes with an almost 70's soul-ballad feel. That rumble gives these songs a weight often lacking in this realm of song.
It's not as if the lyrics need the grooves as a crutch though. Whitehead writes as he sings - belying his youth. The songs are mature and insightful, often solemn, frequently confessional. "Pardon Me," the lyrical source of the album's title, is one of those songs of confession… a prayer to a former love, in this case. It paints a picture of a man who needs forgiveness and, more so, to forgive.
"Rain Like This in Georgia" is about a new start, praying for better weather and better days. It's a not-too-distant relative, in subject and feel, to soul classics "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Midnight Train to Georgia."
"Never Going Back" is probably the most radio-friendly tune in the bunch, with its catchy chorus and heavy back-beat. Still, it's not exactly a pop the tailgate and pass around the shine song; Whitehead's a pretty somber dude (on record anyway). This earnestness can be a bit burdening at times but it's coming from an honest place.
Bloodhound Heart isn't party music. It's relax with a beer, or regret with a whiskey music. It's a cloudy Sunday afternoon music. And yes, it's prayerful. Jeff's a strong writer with obvious inspirational ties to both songwriting luminaries like Townes Van Zandt as well as the more reigned-in corners of Motown. It's a joyous downer of a record, well suited to fans of John Fullbright, TVZ, Jason Isbell, etc.
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Bloodhound Heart is out today at Amazon, iTunes, Lonestar Music, etc.
Mar 3, 2014
Feel Bad for You Mixtape: March 2014
You know the deal. Bloggers, musicians, music fans, and drifters submit songs monthly. They're almost always excellent. This month's FBFY includes The Rolling Stones, Dawes, Laura Cantrell, Mat D and the Profane Saints and many more. Stream below or download & comment here.
Mar 2, 2014
Mar 1, 2014
Feb 28, 2014
Unfavorable Aldean Review Pulled Due to Advertisers Being Pricks
I won't sermonize on this, because honestly, Triggerman will eventually do it a whole lot better than I could, but censorship sucks, especially when it's financial coercion. Read this article: http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2014/02/28/under-pressure-from-advertisers-baltimore-city-paper-spikes-a-review/
Then read the awesomely "offending" FTM-esque review that got removed: http://www.baltimorebrew.com/%20a-review-of-jason-aldeans-1114-concert-at-baltimore-arena/
And enjoy the ensuing drama that will surely come...
YouTube Gems: Natural Child
From their new self-titled album, here's Natural Child with "Saturday Night Blues." RIYL: Deer Tick, Those Darlins, Rolling Stones.
Album Review: Chad Sullins & The Last Call Coalition - Wicked Spell
If I told you there was an album that mixed Red Dirt country rock with radio-friendly hooks and soaring guitars that are strongly reminiscent of classic hard rock, you might turn up your nose. I might too. On paper, that doesn't sound a whole lot different than what bros like Aldean and Brantley are doing. However, in your ear-holes, Chad Sullins and the Last Call Coalition are nothing in the realm of Georgia's "finest."
I'll start this review with my one gripe. The very first song… the title song… almost caused me to not give this album a fair shot. "Wicked Spell" leans more heavily on the aforementioned metal guitars than any other tune on the album. That's not necessarily a turn-off for me, but the song comes off as canned and overly preened in post-production. I'm sure it's great live, but on record it does little for me.
Fortunately, the other 9 of 10 songs more than make up for the early stumble. Current single "Couple 1000 Miles" is an easy rolling number that gives the uninitiated the first true look at this band's calling card - Sullins' voice. I kid you not, if you could somehow combine the vocals of Sawyer Brown's Mark Miller and Fifth on the Floor's Justin Wells, it would sound exactly like Chad Sullins. It's a brawny, warm delivery that made me an instant fan. The rest of the band is also fully up to the challenge and with the album's clear production values, you're able to hear their individual skills on display.
"Hurtin' Songs" is a dynamic slow song that puts the wailing guitars to effective use, sounding like a top shelf hard rock ballad played in some dusty west Texas dive. It's one of the high-points on the album, and honestly, if the band already had some cache with Nashville, it could be a radio smash. Nobody has a first hit with a ballad these days, though.
"Might Leave in the Fall" is a blues song with modern flair. It's true to the lyrical formula and emotional tone of old time blues with a crisp, airy production.
Another highlight of Wicked Spell is "What's Left of Me." It's another showcase for Sullins' exceptional singing - simple, focused and moving.
Wicked Spell isn't for everyone; just most everyone. The signature guitar sound I mentioned might make some leery, but it's never intrusive or gimmicky. The rock flourishes only add power and passion to the songs. This is a 10-song set that's accessible to a spectrum of music fans. Country, red dirt, hard rock and pop-country fans could all find something to their liking. There's also Chad's voice and that indescribable "it" factor going on with these guys. They've got the particular set of talents to follow folks like Eli Young Band to the radio waves, but the grit to guarantee you won't stop being a fan when they get big.
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You can purchase the album at Amazon, iTunes, and all the usual hangouts.
Feb 27, 2014
Feb 26, 2014
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