Music Reviews of World, Adult Contemporary, Jazz, Blues, Country
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
Subscribe to our mailing list
Current Top Ten Chart
Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
The Graduate - Anhedonia
Death By Stereo - Death Alive
Comeback Kid - Broadcasting
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of World Music, Adult Contemporary, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Classical
Vieux Farka Toure — Vieux Farka Toure Buy it at Amazon
Mali owns its own blues specialist in Ali Farka Toure who has thusly passed the torch to his son Vieux Farka Toure. This self-titled debut on World Village Music, is an enigmatic adventure coalescing North African desert rock with folk roots and blues-pop. Not many can claim this tradition or pathway so Vieux is unique by far. Percussion-wise this is an astonishing album that amazes with each ear-ful.
- J-Sin
Tango Jointz — Palermo Nuevo Buy it at Amazon
Sunny riddled riffs that evoke dancing and break down language barriers is but one virtue of “Palermo Nuevo”. Argentine musical forms languish in a stressful stew of tango and sexy pop. Tango Jointz wants to make love with your feet, your heart, and your mind all at once and I’m pretty sure it succeeds, at least at some level. Very clever indeed.
- J-Sin
Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective — Watina Buy it at Amazon
African music that hibernated and stewed in Central America is the central theme of “Watina”. Andy Palacio and his crew trace their roots back to the sounds of West African, Central American, and Nicaragua’s local Garifuna traditions. Spirited vibrant music that has a varied sound with several doses of Latin rock and Caribbean-inflected English words. Looking for a world music pioneer? Look no further.
- J-Sin
Elaine Silver — The Art of Peace Buy it at Amazon
Folk-pop songstress Elaine Silver shares her spiritual side with us via her New Age album “The Art of Peace”. The lyrics are overtly cheesy so if you’re the least bit cynical or slightly negative in spirit, as I am, then you’ll laugh as you skip through the tracks.
- J-Sin
The Jeremiah Houston Band — Leave You Behind Buy it at Amazon
There was a lot left behind during the recording of “Leave You Behind”. A case of beer prepares you, but no carton of cigarettes nor five bong hits would help you prepare for the adoration of country-fused rock ‘n’ roll lust that “Leave You Behind” will ultimately be known for. Drunken lyrics, sickly guitar twang, and rustic roots-oriented rock choruses unleash something that’s tired but steady.
- J-Sin
Shad Weathersby — The Beaten Path Buy it at Amazon
New Orleans has been beaten up in terms of Hurricane Katrina and terribly corrupt politics for the last couple of years. Flocks of folks have left the great Southern gothic classic but Shad Weathersby continues to stand out as one of the city’s last great exports. A traditional bluesman who wraps his music in a coating of Americana, folk, and old-time Rhythm & Blues (back when it wasn’t an acronym, ya know?), Weathersby’s latest entry “The Beaten Path” is anything but, often finding new breath in traditionally solid footing in bluesy folk-rock riffs. Great harmonies make this solid diamond effort, one that no miner could ever fully excavate.
- J-Sin
James Todd — Quiet Beauty Buy it at Amazon
Beautifully composed string arrangements by cellist James Todd that are combined brilliantly with pianist William Morse’s sweet harmonies create an atmosphere in which you can truly utter “Quiet Beauty”. Talk about a relaxing jaunt through the musical woods, James Todd’s “Quiet Beauty” is a true stroke of genius that strikes at the very nerve of modern classical compositions.
- J-Sin
Brent Amaker and the Rodeo — Brent Amaker and the Rodeo Buy it at Amazon
Cowboy blues and honky tonk country rock is the name of the game with Brent Amaker and his band. Brent Amaker sounds like a young Johnny Cash with a deep defiant Cowboy drawl. Spaghetti western backdrops give it a genuine ‘out west’ feel with hill billy blues lyrics. Good old time country rhythms that will make you surprised you’re listening to this on a CD versus a dusty 45”.
- J-Sin
Joan Osborne — Pretty Little Stranger Buy it at Amazon
Joan Osborne’s self-professed country album is still fitting for AAA settings. Her timeless vocals are blended perfectly with healthy doses of Americana, blues, and country rock. An accomplished singer/songwriter already, Osbourne builds upon that fame and success with “Pretty Little Stranger”, which was recorded in Nashville with Grammy-winning producer Steve Buckingham. In addition to her own tracks she covers the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter tune “Brokedown Palace”, Kris Kristofferson’s “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”, and Patty Griffin’s “What You Are”. Guest performers include Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, and Sonny Landreth.
- J-Sin
Gill Landry — The Ballad of Lawless Soirez Buy it at Amazon
Dreary alt. country with deftly clever string arrangements penetrate to your most dark and well-kept secrets throughout “The Ballad of Lawless Soirez”. Gill Landry is perhaps more well known as the banjo and steel guitar player for Old Crow Medicine Show. But with an album as attentive and fixated at perfect harmonies as this one, it’s only a mere matter of time before his creative solo work becomes the blueprint for the New Orleans sound. Folk blues that engineers a solution to running out of whiskey—this will get you drunk on deeply dank blues-riddled riffologies and brilliant Dixieland amid sprinkles of Mariachi grooves and jazz blues.
- J-Sin
Read More Music Reviews