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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
Soledad Brothers
The Hardest Walk
Alive
On their fourth studio recording, the Toledo-bred/Detroit-reared
Soledad Brothers come out swinging with an introspective and
politically-charged rock and roll record. With the augmentation of
lap-steel guitar, organ, cello, flute and saxophone, The Hardest Walk
has a more mature sound and feel than the Bros' past records. That
doesn’t mean they’ve forsaken their stripped-down blues-rock sounds;
the Soledad Brothers can still pack a punch.
What makes The Hardest Walk stand out from the rest of the
blues-influenced garage bands is that the Soledad Brothers aren’t
afraid to show their emotions. They rock out on “Downtown Paranoia
Blues” and “Truth or Consequences.” They stay close to home on
traditional blues-based songs “Mean Old Toledo” and “True To Zou Zou.”
And, you can almost feel their heartbreak on “Dark Horses” and “Let Me
Down.” The Hardest Walk is an easy listen. - WW
Callenish Circle
Pitch Black Effects
Metal Blade
Callenish Circle are a death-metal band that pretty much do the
At the Gates/early In Flames thing, but with some vocal trade-offs that
are sort of reminiscent of Cradle of Filth. There are occasional
electronica moments that should be further explored. Overall, a solid,
somewhat predictable metal album. - BK
VooDoo Blue
Smile and Nod
Dcide
A good, yet unremarkable blend of driving rock, punk and pop. Not
repetitive, but not really innovative either. (Thankfully, new-punk
whininess is scarce.) Some tracks, like “31st Street” and “Beach
Blanket Boredom” are standouts, with funky beats, driving vocals and
not-annoying drum solos — but these are few and far between. Enjoyable
without being memorable.- SS
The Lawrence Arms
Oh! Calcutta!
Fat Wreck Chords
Rough and rowdy, Oh! Calcutta! is The Lawrence Arms at their
best: Literary, drunken, scruffy and raucous. Sounding like a mix
between Greatest Story … and Brendan’s excursion with punk super-group
The Falcon, Oh! Calcutta! is punk-rock magic and a worthy, unique
addition to the Larry Arms catalogue. - BK
Public Announcement
When The Smoke Clears
Boss Ent.
Public Announcement have had a bumpy ride in R&B. They galloped in
grassy success with “Body Bumpin” and fell in the mud with numbers like
“Mamacita.” Lacking the stellar production and songwriting of Big Mel,
this quartet could use a new steed. On Smoke, the four Chicago crooners
sound like Jodeci, Next and Intro. Proper direction could turn this
group around. - JW
Gџajiro
Gџajiro
Long Beach
Punk rock in either Spanish or a mix of English and Spanish.
Okay, sorta neat, right? Well, the five tracks seem a little too slow,
like the band recorded them while wickedly hung-over. The melodies
aren’t bad, but not great. Hopefully Güajiro figure out that little
thing they’re missing. Sadly bland. - BK
Z.Z. Top
Fandango / Tres Hombres
Warner Brothers
The new reissues of Fandango and Tres Hombres are a delight to
rediscover; kind of a reaffirmation of why Z.Z. Top were one of the
coolest rock bands around. Their Texas blues meets boogie sound comes
alive in the new remasters. With scorching guitars and drunken
roadhouse vocals, you’ll want to turn these bad boys up to eleven and
blow away your neighbors. - WW
local
T. IN T.
Get A Clue
All Greenz
Female gangsta rap with total old school flavor, T. IN T.
would've benefitted from a bigger production budget but the duo’s raw
talent is apparent. The beats are generally simple, but they’ll still
rattle your trunk. Mi and Moe rhyme with endless energy and real skill
and should get increasing amounts of attention. - KND
in my ear
Of Montreal
If there’s a word that comes up more than any other when describing
Athens, GA-based pop band Of Montreal, it’s “eccentric.” Though well
into their career as a band of freak-out troubadours traveling the
country and spreading a multi-colored blend of psychedelic folk and
‘60s-influenced pop, Of Montreal’s 2005 release, Satanic Panic in the
Attic, is possibly the most highly-regarded in their extensive catalog.
Drop aural acid with them on March 9 at the Blind Pig. Here's what
they've been digging on the road.
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
MIA
Arular
Deerhoof
The Runners Four
Late BP Helium
Amok
James Husband
James Husband
Kanye West
Late Registration
Wolf Parade
Apologies to the Queen Mary
Animal Collective
Feels
The Fiery Furnaces
Blueberry Boat
The Knife
Single Shout
dmrc top 10
1. J Dilla — Donuts • 2. Slum Village — Fantastic • 3. Jenny Lewis —
Rabbit Fur Coat • 4. Jaheim — Ghetto Classics • 5. Natas — N of Tha
World • 6. Electric Six — Señor Smoke • 7. Various Artists — Love Sucks
• 8. Cat Power — The Greatest •
9. She Wants Revenge — She Wants Revenge • 10. Buckethead —
Kaleidoscalp
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