Let's get right to it, shall we?
- The Black Keys - Rubber Factory (2004). Thanks to Brian for recommending these guys. They're a two-man group, ala Local H or The White Stripes. Whereas Local H is more grungy and The White Stripes more crunchy alternative guitar/Jack White's vocals, The Black Keys are more deeply rooted in the blues. (Yes, I know The White Stripes visit the blues neighborhood, but The Black Keys live there.) It's pretty clear that the two musicians play multiple parts; what makes it most interesting is that they still retain the charm of a two-person approach. It's really quite ingenious. Apparently they opened for Sleater-Kinney in 2003, but I must have missed that tour. (Aside: has there ever been a band that has remained as below the radar as S-K that broke so many other acts? The White Stripes, The Gossip, and Yeah Yeah Yeah's immediately come to mind.) These guys are fierce and write amazing songs. Great stuff from Akron, OH. Who knew?
CD Placement rating: Portable CD Case.
- The Cribs - The Cribs (2004). The Cribs scoreboard stands at 1 up, 1 way way up. Their debut is the worst of their efforts thus far, but it's a Bob Mould scale: their "below average" is a B+ in any other book. There are still some gems here (like "The Lights Went Out," "Direction," and "Another Number"). New one is out now (with Johnny Marr on lead guitar) and I can't wait.
CD Placement rating: Portable CD Case.
- Merle Haggard - Country Roads (2007). Thanks to Tim for recommending this. Unfortunately, it appears I really, really don't like country (except for Johnny Cash), even if it's done very well (like it is here). I'll take a couple of tracks and move on.
CD Placement rating: Sell-back Pile 1.
- Mayfield - Mayfield (1998). Curt Smith's Halfway, Pleased was so good, I felt compelled to go back into his back catalog. This album is the product of a brief '90's project, and it does not disappoint. I'm not sure how I (and apparently, everyone else) missed the boat on a truly gifted artist, but I can't help to be continue to be impressed with his work. Unfortunately, (besides Halfway) his two other earlier solo albums and this one are almost impossible to track down. An aside: Curt, please come to Boston.
CD Placement rating: Portable CD Case.
- The Proletariat - Voodoo Economics and Other American Tragedies (1998). Thanks to Paul for recommending these long-gone (and mostly forgotten) Boston legends. They sound a bit like an Americanized, slightly more mainstream poppy, slightly more politically pointed version of Gang of Four. At 45 songs, you get pretty much all you'll ever need to hear of these guys; they were definitely ahead of their time and this is a very nice compilation.
CD Placement rating: Portable CD case.
- Ride - Going Blank Again (1992). Dan had recommended the band Ride when I reviewed them here. However, I got the actual album he was recommending wrong -- I believe what he was referring to was Going Blank Again. (Well, at least I think it's the right album this time.) This is tremendous shoegazer pop, think a lighter/poppier My Bloody Valentine. The 8+ minute opener ("Leave Them All Behind") does not feel long by any means, which said it all for me right off the bat. Yawning guitars, a strong rhythm section, and lofty vocals on the more shoegazer numbers: all tremendous. Jangly guitars, that same strong rhythm section, echoey but more down-to earth vocals on the more poppy numbers: also tremendous. When they come together (like "Time of Her Time"), it's even better. Eclipsed by MBV at the time, these guys are absolutely fantastic. How did I miss them the first time around?
CD Placement rating: Car CD Changer.
- The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues (1988). Thanks to Scott for this one. The Waterboys are your favorite Irish pub band, just a lot better. A very pleasant, upbeat, melodic Celtic folk-rock disc. At times it's bouncy, others it's tranquil; it's always complexly arranged and very well produced. It's purely speculation on my part, but I could definitely see them being an influence on The Frames.
CD Placement rating: CD Rack.
- Snilch
