Absinthe Junk, Living Ghosts

What a diversely-ranged piece of work here that offers so much to the listener.  This band hails from the country music capital of the world, Nashville TN, but make no mistake that there is no sign of country twang in their sound.  Absinthe Junk are a world-fused rock group that blends elements of: heavy metal, hard rock, alternative, classical & orchestral all into one tightly secured package.  Interesting, mysterious & appealing all make up the landscape for this new record, Living Ghosts. 

Absinthe Junk is made up of: Blair on lead vocals, violin, keys & guitar, Patrick Himes on guitars, keys & backing vocals, Matt Clarke on bass, Jeremy Miller on guitar, Brian Hoeflich on studio drums and Ben Bruno on drums for live shows.  It is great to hear a band and an album that exhibits so much creativity & originality.  In a sea of a crap that constantly floods our markets today, Absinthe Junk come crashing in with actual Living Substance. 

The CD starts up with a song coined “Commercialized Waste” that offers up hard rockin’ guitar parts, which I loved, while Blair sings with such authoritative power.  Track three, “Dragonflies in Hurricanes”, has pure melodic vocals that sound so good to the ears.  The title track gives you a light classical feel with a very subtle, solemn and low-key approach.  On song six, “Swear to Me”, you get a lot of energy being poured out by the entire group.  Next up, “Rust”, has a heavier vibe with a bit darker layer to it, but surprisingly you get an unexpected taste of Italy right at the end.  On track nine, “Assasin (Someday)”, Absinthe Junk give it their all with an incredible amount of power, emotion & feeling being conveyed by way of one impactful delivery.  On the second installment, “Road to Damnation”, a cool instrumental is being played with heavy rock and worldly influences colliding together.  What I loved about this particular number is that so much is being said without having to say a single word.  The climax and suspense is built up nicely here as you finally experience an uneasy screeching at the end.  What I gathered from this performance was that the fight & struggle all comes to a halt by the end when everything comes crashing down.  I couldn’t help but think that this completely relates to our times in the sense that we deal with our own trials & tribulations each and every day.  In a country that has a highly corrupt government and the worst president in the history of the United States of America, we, the people, have to make a change.  If people are blind to the hypocrisy that is our bureaucracy and fail to wake up, then “Road to Damnation” might not be such a far-fetched idea. 

There is so much to like about this album from the glowing and distinct voice of Blair to the rich instrumentation to the thought-provoking lyrics & music.  Living Ghosts is a powerful record that doesn’t get too deep, but always stays closely-connected to the listener.  Hopefully Living Ghosts will scare some sense into you as you hear an array of styles penetrating your eardrums.  As ghosts and their shadows dissipate within the air, Absinthe Junk are Living for the NOW and not looking to fade out anytime soon. For more on this eclectic bunch and their new release, SKOPE out www.mypieceofjunk.com. 

By Jimmy Rae

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Jason Collett, Rat A Tat Tat

Jason Collett, the dependable and perennial folk-rocker out of Toronto has made his name on his rustic charm and late-night swagger. Members of Broken Social Scene, the revolving door musical collective have labelled Collett as the “Tom Petty of Broken Social Scene.” How appropriate; Collett has resided comfortably slightly below the radar since he began making music. He’d had a career in drywalling beforehand, which again, makes more sense. Collett writes honest tunes, choosing to mythologize the workman within all of his. His blue-collar tales epitomize the struggles we all endure and he continues his modest, organic ascent into the public eye on Rat A Tat Tat, his latest.

Rat A Tat Tat sways like a warm evening wind, with tracks like “Winnipeg Winds” evoking a greasy, loungy state of mind. His approach continues to sound more relaxed with every release. And with this relaxed approach, Collett seems to be less and less afraid to show his roots and wear his musical heart of hearts on his sleeve. Comparisons to Bob Dylan have followed Collett throughout his career; it’s rather gratifying to hear him embrace the comparison on Rat A Tat Tat. “Vanderpool Vanderpool” sounds lifted from a night of wine-drinking and flamenco dancing, with ol’ Bobbie D providing the soundtrack. Again, it’s Collett’s surefire swagger and emerging drawl that really knock Rat A Tat Tat.

Which isn’t to take away from the quality of songwriting. The eastern, bluesy roll of “Rave On You Sad Songs” and the quirky stomp of “Love Is A Dirty word” aren’t only some of Collett’s finest work; they’re some of the better folk-rock tracks you’re going to hear this year.

By Joshua Kloke

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Old Man Luedecke, My Hands Are On Fire and other Love Songs

“My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire…” hums Chris Leudecke, again and again throughout the comfortable swing on “The Rear Guard.” He isn’t kidding. Leudecke is something of a renaissance man, picking and strumming his banjo with the passion and fury of blues and countrymen of yesteryear on My Hands Are On Fire and other Love Songs.

Eight of the eleven tracks on Leudecke’s latest full-length are dominated by the banjo. Yet even those that feature Leudecke on the acoustic guitar, such as the bluesy romp of “Woe Betide The Doer Of The Deed” are rich with the soul and craftmanship that seems to be long forgotten in modern music.

As to be expected, there isn’t heaps of variety on My Hands Are On Fire and other Love Songs but that begs the question; does that matter? The album is remarkably cohesive; one needn’t worry about skipping a single track. Leudecke gets a little expansive on the second half of the record, exposing his inner Nashvillian on the brooding, haunting slow-dance, “Machu Picchu.”

Leudecke is as talented a player as you’ll find; how commendable that he hones his craft with a dedication to the songs that inspired him to pick up an instrument in the first place.

By Joshua Kloke

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Gucci Mane, The State vs Radric Davis

I was very anxious to give this new album from Gucci Mane a listen. I have always seen Gucci Mane as an emcee that has what it takes to be taken seriously in hop hop’s higher ranks. His lyrical prowess is not unusually strong but his character & swagger make up for it. One thing is for sure about Gucci Mane is that he knows how to make a hit song & his hooks are contagious. In a genre like hip hop where street cred is imperative to success, this emcee is currently incarcerated.

This album is 20 tracks strong and Gucci did not lack in regards to cameos. He has everyone from Plies, Cam’ Ron to Nicki Minaj on this album. Every single that Warner has chose to make videos for have been right on. Especially “Spotlight” with Usher. That song just gets you going from the club to the gym. Also after you here “Lemonade” that will be stuck in your head for atleast 6 hours.
 
One song that got me really excited was “Bingo” featuring Soulja Boy Tell’em & Waka Flocka Flame. This track is a straight banger and it shows that Scott Storch has not lost his touch. There is nothing that I do not love about this track and I have listened to it over 50 times already. It really just keeps getting better. You can’t hate on Soulja Boy Or Waka’s verses either.

“Bingo” feat. Soulja Boy & Waka Flocka Flame (video):

SKOPE IT HERE!

I know that many people are not buying CD’s anymore but that should not apply with this album. Even if you are more into downloading singles there are atleast 6 that you need to be on your ZUNE or Ipod. I have moved this album into the car and I plan on leaving it there for a while. We can only hope that Radric Davis gets released soon so he can hit the road and come play Boston!

Review By: Mikey Frieds 

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MegaRex, Recyclable Data

Are you ready to “Get It On” with not T. Rex but with another bandosaur called MegaRex.  MegaRex offers a dino-mite sound with plenty of solid rock for your eardrums.  This Brazilian rock trio brings to you their new CD, Recyclable Data, that you will be able to listen to over and over again. 

MegaRex is made up of three talented individuals: Flavio Marchesin on vocals, bass guitar & keys, Tibira on guitar and Paulinoho Barizon on drums & percussion.  Flavio also plays the role of sole songwriter & engineer on this new project.  Also, MegaRex, as a band, produced this album with the help of NY Producer Jamie Siegel on three tracks.  Worth mentioning that Siegel is well-respected in the music biz as he has worked with the likes of the Smashing Pumpkins, Joss Stone, Lauryn Hill, Santana among others. 

Besides having cool, kick-ass names, these Brazilians are ready to sizzle & spice up the music scene!  Already big in their homeland, MegaRex is ready to venture to and conquer other lands.  Dinosaurs roamed the Earth ages ago and later on became extinct.  Now we have the MegaRex that’s ready to make some big noise in 2010 and beyond! 

As I listened to this disc, I simply loved their fun, upbeat style.  There are moments of fresh electronic elements being used to back up a solid rock sound.  The CD starts up with a song titled “Angel” that incorporates a modernized rock feel but mixed with a flashback retro sensation.  “Mix It Up” is just funky, fun & funny while “Alien” offers up a killer vibe. 

What I gather from MegaRex is that you should just to enjoy life, laugh and have a good time while listening to their music.  Their humorous personalities definitely shine through while listening to all five tracks.  Good-humored & good-natured jams to take with you now and use again later is Recyclable Data in a nutshell.  If my data/analysis is correct, then you will definitely see MegaRex roaming the states very soon.  For more on this cool, calm and collect Brazilian trio and their exciting new release, SKOPE out www.megarex.net.  My only drawback is that this new record is only five songs long; gimme’ some more MegaRex! 

By Jimmy Rae

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THE RUBINOOS, BIFF-BOFF-BOING

The Rubinoos started out as a California power pop group/garage band formed in the late 60’s while in junior high by guitarists/singers Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar.   The guys were hooked up early in their career with the infamous Berserkly Records and eventually producer/whiz Todd Rundgren and his genius cohort Kasim Sultan.  They are best known for having hits with a cover of Tommy James’ I Think We’re Alone Now, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (and a lawsuit against Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend settled out of court), and the title song from the movie Revenge Of The Nerds.  They are the veterans of six albums, not including some live recordings and compilations.  With all of that behind your belt, what’s left but to do a CD aimed at kids? The group is rounded out by Al Chan on bass, Susie Davis on keys, and Dave Rokeach on drums. 

The group has taken some rock standards and re-routed them, while adding some original tunes.  They have decided to attack the creativity of luminaries like Roger Miller, Andy Kim (Archie’s), Dave Seville (Chipmunks), and yes, John Entwistle.  The purpose of the offering is to get young kids to sing and dance to something that isn’t decadence related, before they’re corrupted by the readily accessible airwave trash out there.  The group has added some doo-wop and silliness while competently committing good arrangements and musicianship.  After all, what classic rock listening adult can ever get enough of Witch Doctor, Boris The Spider, and even (come on now) Sugar, Sugar?  Yes, Sugar, Sugar.  Didn’t it remind you of the good times you were having in 1969, as it seemed to get played every 10 minutes all summer (seemed like all year long) long no matter what you were doing?  I personally would have also added McDonald’s “Filet Of Fish” song, as I can’t escape it or the singing fish mentally either!

The offering has already gained unanimous raves from educators, and the group is looking at touring to support the release.  This is a novel concept with good intentions.  It’s some tongue in cheek fun, and if you have small kids, it should hit home.  Also check out their earlier phase You-Tube concert footage.  Some cool stuff.  P.S.  If you draw some Raspberries comparisons, they actually covered Tonight on their Live In Japan album! 

By R.M. Engelman

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Kingsley, Digital Providence

Pop/rock sensibility, nuanced electronica and deep thought, optimistic lyrics come together on Kingsley’s new full-length Digital Providence. Again teaming with producer Jeff Kanan (Madonna, No Doubt), the sophomore release weighs in at a lofty 15-tracks of radio-friendly pop/rock goodness. The album as a whole is reminiscent of 30 Seconds to Mars, The Killers and like contemporary radio alt.

Leaning on heavy instrumentation, the album opens to “All of Me, All of You.” The electro-laced intro gives way to urgent riff work and demure verses that crescendo to a floodgate chorus. Tons of musical facets intros the album with Kingsley’s best foot forward. The ubiquitous “Imagination” contains throwback New Wave synth work and powder keg electric guitar over effects-laden vocals. This is sure to make alternative stations around the country. “Revolution” is replete with Killers-esque keyboard, a harmonized chorus that again peaks at fever pitch tempo and utilizes clever, trademark time changes (many tracks contain this element). Dirge-like organ and danceable beats are the earmarks of “Take Me.” The dour organ gives way to spacey keys, wa-wa pedaled riffs and Brandon Sweeney’s strong vocal delivery.

Building on the success of their digitally released debut and capitalizing on an established European fan base, Kingsley seems to have reached deep into their musical repertoire and blended an amalgam of genre influences to put forth a respectable second outing. Though many track arrangements seem to follow a vein of continuity (powerful intro, verses, chorus, time change/bridge, chorus), Digital Providence has certainly evaded any sophomore slump.

By Chris West

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Dead Confederate, Wrecking Ball

Grunge may be the kind of genre that is still fodder for every jackass critic out there. But there are bands fighting to keep the swampy, uncomprimising attitude of grunge alive. And Dead Confederate, the Athens-based five-piece is one of those very bands. Wrecking Ball, their latest, stomps, swirls and haunts, while still paying close attention to the dusty swagger that Southern-rock should. Simply put, Wrecking Ball rocks way with way more force and pugnacity than you could have ever planned to hear.

“Heavy Petting,” the vigorous opener steams ahead with heavy, driving riffs while “It Was A Rose” adheres to another potent charm of Southern rock: the murky, haunting vibes. Two and half minutes of tense buildup soon give way to a furious sonic onslaught, combining the spaced out solos reminiscent of My Morning Jacket with the trademark howl of vintage Alice In Chains.

“Start Me Laughing” brings to mind Throwing Copper, the sublime sophomore release from the now defunct Live. There’s an unadultered passion for pure heavy rock that exists on Wrecking Ball. It’s heard in spades and never relents. Exhausting as Wrecking Ball might be, it’s a welcome sound: that of five rock and roll purists playing at a pace and sound level that speaks not to critics but to their persistence.

By Joshua Kloke

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Dot Allison, Room 7 ½

In today’s fickle musical climate, it is hard to think of many female Scottish singer-songwriters who have made more than a ripple in the U.S. Sure, KT Tunstall made waves a few years back but she has been quiet lately.  (Mind you, we are not talking about Scottish women known mostly for their vocal chops so Susan Boyle and Annie Lennox are out of the discussion.)

Nevertheless, Dot Allison has plenty of fans in the music community who love her past work with the 90s band One Dove and her subsequent trip-pop solo recordings. Paul Weller, Pete Doherty, and members of Massive Attack are among those who have said great things about Allison.

That said, with all of this acclaim, it seems like Allison might break Stateside any day now. So, will it happen with her latest release entitled Room 7 1/2? Well, probably not but that is not a bad thing.

Room 7 ½ is a moody, fragile piece of art that hints at the darker aspects of relationships. One can tell this just by some of the song titles–”Paved With A Little Pain,” “I Wanna Break Your Heart,” and “Love’s Got Me Crazy” do not conjure up many happy thoughts.

With these sadder sentiments, it comes as no surprise that Allison ignores much of her electronic past and sticks with a folky, natural sound on Room 7 ½ and it works well with the subject matter. Two of the better songs here are “Cry” with Allison’s hushed vocals and her capable band’s subtle guitar and percussion work and “While She Sleeps” which shines with a quiet piano and an acoustic guitar framing the singer’s voice nicely.

Despite that, it has to be said that Allison’s latest will be a hard listen for some–particularly in the middle where things slow down so much the songs lose their resonance. So much so, that the singer’s fine lyrics get lost in the mix.

Things do get more interesting near the end, however, as the story song “Jonny Villain” lets Allison and her band get more aggressive and the closing track “Portrait of the Sun” uses such diverse instruments as the moog, saxophone, and organ to fine effect.

Also of note are the two tracks that feature Allison’s famous fans. Weller guests on “Love’s Got Me Crazy” and Doherty sings on “I Wanna Break Your Heart” and both songs are intriguing but are not as sublime as Room 7 ½’s finest moments.

www.dotallison.co.uk

Author-Todd Sikorski

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Year Of The Dragon, Blunt Force Karma

Walter AdamKibby, II AKA Dirty Walt Kibby & Roderick “Rodcore” Palmer make up the core of Year Of The Dragon.  Dirty Walt was actually the co-founder of Fishbone whom he spent 25 years with before starting on this new project.  Another key player toward the origins of YOTD was another Fishbone member/guitarist, Tracy Singleton AKA “Spacey T”.  All the seeds have been planted as you now experience Blunt Force Karma in its entirety. 

The meaning behind the name Year Of The Dragon refers to the Chinese zodiac sign for Dragon, which symbolizes strength and harmony.  The ironic twist to this is that both Kibby & “Rodcore” were born within days of each other and are both considered to be Dragons.  So there you have it, Year Of The Dragon means Year Of Dirty Walt & Roderick as they give to you Blunt Force Karma. 

This group comes out of LA and they are definitely bringing the heat with this debut record.  The musical connection & band chemistry is so incredibly strong between Kibby & Palmer.  You really feel this sensation as the album rolls on that these two artists have got something special here.  The cool part is that both musicians exhibit two completely different vocal deliveries, which adds a fresh dose of adversity to the whole mix.  The styles themselves displayed on this record are ridiculously diverse as you hear everything from: rock, metal, rap, punk and funk.  The overall blend really stands out as being highly original and very inventive.  This eclectic bunch of songs will leave you feeling refreshed as you will feel like you’ve tapped into something truly exciting.

The powerful vocals are the reason why this album has so much damn edge.  Dirty Walt Kibby, Roderick “Rodcore” Palmer and all the rest of the fine musicians featured on the disc really pour it on and just hammer it.  There is no time for messing around as YOTD dive right in and offer you their hard-core, rough, rugged and raw sound.

What I really loved about this album was the fact that it was electrifying & fiercely energized thanks in part to the performers.  “Rodcore”, Dirty Walty & company are responsible for bringing that crazy hot energy to the table.  Not a dull moment on this CD as you will feel like you’re on one hell of a rollercoaster ride traveling at super fast speeds.  The energy & excitement will feed right into you as you pick up on Palmer and Kibby’s wild displays of emotion.  I equally enjoyed the awesome guitar solos throughout this CD along with the heavy metal riffs.  You get that bold hardness and rock-tastic atmosphere thanks to the excellent musicianship of the guitar.  Rock & metal collide here in such a perfectly designed manner.

Track three, “Poppin’”, comes with a heavy, head bobbin’ joint to go hand-in-hand with a take-no-shit mentality.  The emphasized words of “YEAH!!!!” and “FUCK YOU!!!” really sum up this idea of tough-nosed music.  Get ready to shoot down your fears with force on the appropriately titled song “Destroy Your Fears”.  The CD ends with complete and masterful authority on “Walking Tall”. 

Rocked out performances galore on this disc as YOTD invite you to rock along with them.  This just may be the Year Of The Dragon as failure does not appear to be an option.  For more on this LA-based powerhouse and their brand new release, Blunt Force Karma, aggressively SKOPE out www.yearofthedragonband.com. 

By Jimmy Rae

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