Aug 21, 2012
Aug 20, 2012
Album Review: Blackberry Smoke - The Whippoorwill
I'll just come right out and admit it. I wasn't a fan of Blackberry Smoke before The Whippoorwill hit my mailbox. On their previous album, Little Piece of Dixie, the band just seemed to be trying too hard. Trying too hard for something of a crossover country hit… and trying too hard in general - the finished product not coming off as honest and organic-sounding as I'd prefer.
With their move to Zac Brown's Southern Ground label, Blackberry Smoke has been unleashed to deliver their brand of southern rock goodness as they see fit and it's a welcome change. On The Whippoorwill, the band gives their all, a straightforward brand of rock that's fun, soulful and full of energy.
There's a little cheese in the recipe, as the opening number "Six Ways to Sunday" clearly demonstrates. It's an AC/DC-esque sex romp that unapologetically equates a round of Saturday night sweet lovemaking to praising the Lord at the Sunday morning service. "Woman if you need a disciple/We can have a little revival" sings head honcho Charlie Starr, and if he didn't bring it with such swagger you might snicker, but it's a bar burning number that'll have your booty shaking whether you like it or not.
There's plenty of depth to be explored on The Whippoorwill too. "One Horse Town," despite a few lyrical clichés, gives a more honest portrait of the regrets and pride of small town life than you'll find in a dozen country radio songs on the same theme. "A daddy that could have gone all the way" is penitent about his lack of worldy success despite his loyalty to the place that made him what he is.
The album's best track, the title song, is the best ballad the Black Crowes never recorded. I'm not even sure what it's about, but it's beautiful. Piano, organ, southern drawl, longing… this is the perfect song for a summer sundown. Just hit play and lay back.
Blackberry Smoke gets back to riffed up badassery on "Crimson Moon," a Zac Brown cowrite. It's a "leaving it all behind" shit-kicker that'll have you pushing the gas pedal down a little too hard but feeling no guilt about it.
Ain't a bad song on the album to put it plainly. It's simple fare, but you'll never feel short-changed in the artistry arena either. The lyrics are mostly solid, the vocals are awesome and the musicianship is as good as there is going these days. The Whippoorwill is a must-own for southern rock fans dreaming of the good old days of Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet. Blackberry Smoke is straight as a shot of Maker's Mark and will leave you feeling just as good.
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You can purchase a digital download of the album for $6.49 here.
Aug 19, 2012
Aug 18, 2012
From the Archives: Parody Album Covers - Strait, Yoakam, 2Pac
I'm just gonna flat-out steal Nine Bullets "From the Archives" idea. Here are 5 parody album covers from FTM's very first day - July 5, 2008.
Aug 17, 2012
YouTube Gems: The Dirty Guv'nahs
Despite a name that some might call laughable, The Dirty Guv'nahs deliver good ol' southern rock with a dollop of commercial accessibility that comes highly recommended from me. From their new album, Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies, here they are with their first single, "3000 Miles."
Aug 16, 2012
I Should Sell These
...just to spite Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean. I probably would if it wasn't illegal to use Joe's image without going through the proper legal channels. I'd wear it too, if it wasn't based on a country-rap song soon to be made famous by a wallet-chain clad d-bag.
OMG Reviews: Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
by Brittany Fant, 14-year-old aspiring reviewer
I had like honestly been getting sick of Taylor Swift lately. Her song on The Hunger Games was sooo, um, old-timey sounding. Ugh. This is more like it girl!!!!!! For y'all that don't know, I'm single again and this is my song! The chorus has the best lyrics EVARRRRR. And it doesn't sound like crappy old person music. Bravo, Ms. Swift! Or should I say, Mrs. Kennedy? lolz That would be so awesome. Then she could be vice president! I'm a Swiftie again, I admit it. It's like she read my mind or something for this song. And that album cover - she. looks. hot. It's like a Revlon commercial or something. She broke up with a dude who listens to indie music. Good for her!!!! The only people who listen to music that isn't on the radio are losers who are jealous of real talent. This makes me so glad to be flying solo again! Boys always say they'll change but they never do. All they want is one thing!!! That one thing is to play video games with their friends and that's lame. Anyway, Hunter Hayes, I'm on the market again baby!!!!!!!!! Call me! This song rulezzzz.
5 Heart Hands!
Larry Lee the Primitive Baptist Reviews: Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
What is this? Is this a Hip-Hoppin' song? I don't know what's going on. It sounds like one of the young girls in my church's youth group singing in one of our (non-dancing) musicals. Except those girls sound better. And they don't "rap" (rap is an abomination to the ears of God). And they glorify the Lord with their gifts.
All this Taylor Swift girl is doing is whining about some puppy love affair that broke up. Children should not be able to date until they are 18 anyway, so this seems right on the border of sinfulness that she was being courted by a young fellow anyway. What if they had necked and fallen short of the Lord's grace?
The young man who dumped Ms. Swift is to be applauded for his actions. Proverbs 31:3 says not to give your strength to women. Anyone who "went out" with this girl would certainly be at the mercy of her money and career and we all know that the man is to rule the roost. My wife knows I wear the polyester slacks in this house, even if she does have to match my shirts and ties for me. I have astigmatism.
I see no real perversions or slights against the heavenly Father in this "song" but the song itself does not glorify Him. It sounds like she sang into an empty can of succotash on her porch while one of them cars with the "booming" speakers rode by. How is this considered music? And anyone who spends his or her $1.29 on this drivel should fall upon their knees and repent that they did not give their money to a more worthy cause, such as the pastor's residence fund at my church. I really need me one of them aluminum roofs.
For its assault upon my auditory system alone, this song gets an:
F!
Aug 15, 2012
Concert Review: Jonny Fritz (The Artist Formerly Known as Jonny Corndawg)
Jonny Fritz at Red Palace in Washington, D.C. 08/07/2012
Seeing Jonny play is something of a spectacle. Is it serious music? Is he laughing at the characters in his songs? Or, merely relaying mundane stories his characters go through in the most sincere way possible? It would be hard to argue with the last ponder. I mean, when you hear the character in "Chevy Beretta" you know that you have met that guy. You have hated that cocky SOB. But, there was also something about him that endeared you to him. And it's that precise feelings-at-odds sensation that makes Jonny's music so memorable.
This was the 3rd time in the past year I had seen Jonny. While I could sense a little road weariness in Jonny's demeanor and banter, I still thought he put on a better show than many musicians- i.e., as much as I love James McMurtry, his frontman skills are slightly lacking.
The show began with a D.C. native Jonny Grave and the Tombstones. Jonny Grave played loud, raucous blues in the style of R.L. Burnside meets Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (think Ass Pocket of Whiskey). It's very difficult to play this style of music and not have the audience pretty enthralled and dancing. That's exactly what was happening as the set progressed. Also, Jonny Grave is quite the front man playing with a chip on his shoulder. If you don't know Jonny Grave already, I think it's worth your time to look him up and see what you think (here).
Next was Jonny Corndawg (for the time being). Bringing with him his backing band (The Almond Brothers Band), Jonny played all of the crowd favorites including "Exercise," "Middle Brother," "Shut Up," and "Silver Panty Liners" just to name a few. Every song, however comical it may be, was played with utter seriousness and sincerity. Is that to say that Jonny takes himself too seriously? No, not at all. But, he believes in the songs that he writes and the characters they portray.
Half way through the set, he made an announcement. That announcement being that he would no longer be going by the name "Jonny Corndawg" but would instead be going by his real name, "Jonny Fritz." I believe this is probably a smart move towards gaining more serious attention. His songwriting is top notch and this change will likely get him more attention from those who might be put off by a country singer named Jonny Corndawg with an album titled "Down on the Bikini Line."
As I said earlier, Jonny seemed a little road weary, but it did not detract from the show much at all. It's hard to go into one of his shows and not come out in a very good mood. It's fun to see musicians have fun and engage the crowd. The band had fun. They are a tight-knit country band and I'm excited for future shows and albums.
Go see Jonny Fritz when he comes through your town. Go buy his albums. Give them a listen. Laugh if you want, that's alright. There's a lot of humor in the absurd situations that go on day in and day out of our lives. You have to laugh at them. As the old Leadbelly lyric goes, "you see me laughin', Lord I'm laughin' just to keep from cryin'."
I have to think that Jonny's characters might feel the same way. Or, they don't. And, I guess that's the beauty of interpretation.
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