Album Reviews

ADRIAN BELEW
Side One
(Sanctuary)
Working with the all-star rhythm section of Les Claypool (Primus bassist) and Danny Carey (Tool drummer), guitarist Adrian Belew revisits the visceral, virtuoso skronk of prime King Crimson (his day job for the past few years) on Side One. While Belew usually uses his personal efforts as a way to work his Beatlesque pop muse, apparently he hasn't gotten Crimson's knotty prog out of his system. On "Writing on the Wall" and "Ampersand," Claypool and Carey lay down shifting, rubbery rhythms while Belew applies his mad science over the top. The occasional side trip into atmospheric pop ("Matchless Man," "Under the Radar") and Three of a Perfect Pair-style new wave ("Walk Around the World") satisfies his melody jones. Amazingly, given the potential for self-indulgence in a project like this, Side One stays focused, coherent and compelling. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE BLACKLIST
Electric and Evil
(Spooky)
If ever a band was driven by pure violence and bloodlust, that band is the Blacklist. Led by feral singer Goodtime Gemwill, the Australian quintet attacks rock & roll like Jack the Ripper after too many espressos, never happier than when the screams resound and the viscera bounces off the walls. That's not to say there isn't melody here—fans of (musically) like-minded troops like Motörhead and Nashville Pussy will certainly haul their air guitars out of the cases. But the things the band does to appropriately-titled tunes like "My Hammer Your Skull" ("I'm out on bail! And I'm back in hell!" Gemwill shrieks), "Face Down in a Pool of Blood" and "Fuck You Up" (an Angels cover) would make Stuart Gordon blanch. Michael Toland

BOTTOM
You'rNext
(Small Stone)
The best of the stoner metal bands treat Black Sabbath and Blue Cheer as starting points, rather than ends unto themselves. Bottom is undoubtedly one of the best; its Feels So Good When You're Gone album is one of the genre's classics. With the long-awaited follow-up, though, I'm not sure what's going on. The black metal influence ("By a Thread") is welcome, the laid-back, non-metal tunes ("Rainy Day Blues" and "The Traveller") are cool, and some of the old riff-rock magic ("The Same") is still loudly present. But way too much of the record is given over to meandering feedback instrumentals that sound more like filler than conscious effort. Then there's the Carmina Burana thing happening with "Requiem," which should be left to European power metal bands who don't know any better. On the one hand, I'm glad Bottom is striking out in some new directions. On the other, too many of those attempts make me wince on You'rNext. Michael Toland [buy it]

CRACKTORCH
Tonight the City
(Declassified)
There's a lot to love about Cracktorch. There's the chassis-shaking energy level, as the Boston quartet charges down the freeway like a semi with a tiger in its tank. There's the singing, which goes from tough-guy assertion to vulnerable harmonies in a split-second. There's the gleefully snotty attitude, as the boys look for love from their city and its women, but won't settle for less than perfection. There's the strict no-ballads policy. There are the songs themselves, from "Keep Crawlin'" and "Lil Baby" to "The 68" and "The Bronx." But what I like the best about Cracktorch is the way the band brilliantly balances punk-fueled thunder rock with catchy melodies to die for. I've been hoping the U.S. would come up with an analog to England's magnificent Wildhearts; it looks like Cracktorch is here to snatch the rock & roll torch. Michael Toland

ETHAN DANIEL DAVIDSON
Free the Ethan Daniel Davidson 5
(Times Beach)
Ethan Daniel Davidson's seventh studio release is a like a cool drink of water. This album is refreshing because of the way Davidson navigates the political and social landscapes without using it as a crutch for the music. These songs are actually good and have something to say, while other "socially-minded" releases recently have been poor excuses for poor political rants. Davidson's vocal style falls somewhere between Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, and the lyrics are as thoughtful as anything else being released today. This record was inspired by Davidson's world travels and the tunes are as varied as the people and places that must have influenced them. The coolest cut is the countrified "I Can't Drink You Pretty." Too bad I can't figure out who accompanies him on this track. First person to let me know gets an "'atta boy." "Drive-By Diplomacy Blues" is also a great song, bringing the band's solid musicianship to the forefront in an impressive cascade of sound. My only regret is that now I have to go hunt down the rest of Davidson's records because I feel I have been missing out! Lance Looper [buy it]

THE GENA ROWLANDS BAND
…La Merde et Les Étoiles
(Lujo/Autoclave)
Songwriter Bob Massey leads this indie-pop-with-strings combo through original tunes that use celebrity namedropping as metaphor for love gone fucked. Massey's voice sounds like Jonathan Richman's if he'd taken singing lessons, and his melodies crawl as much as stride. But these quirks only increase the vulnerable intimacy of tunes like "Seceding From Our Union" and "Power, Lies, Helena's Lips." One thing, though: considering the probable intelligence level of the folks that will be attracted to this music, we don't really need to be told in subtitle that "Kong Meets His Maker" is "A Parable About Dating," do we? Any more than we need to be told that Gena Rowlands has nothing to do with the band that bears her name. Have some faith in your audience, guys. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE GET-OUTS
Get the Message
(Avebury)
This Bristol trio takes power pop to boot camp, pumping it up with muscles, discipline and the manic energy to kill kill kill! A perky love song like "With You" might have been sweet and saccharine in other hands, but the Get-Outs thrash away at it like it's a cockroach trying to get away. Less romantic tracks like "Human Race," "Drowning" and "Start Shootin'" zoom across the landscape like Wile E. Coyote with a rocket pack stuck on his ass, yet never quite leave taste and melody behind. Even frontman David Edgar's vocal resemblance to Billy Corgan can't distract from the pure pleasure of might meeting melody on Get the Message. Michael Toland [buy it]

HILLSTOMP
One Word
(Hillstomp)
If you're from Portland, Oregon, and you're gonna call yourself Hillstomp, you better be able to deliver the goods when it comes to the North Mississippi Hill Country blues. Fortunately, guitarist/singer Henry Kammerer and percussionist John Johnson sound like they've got plenty of Mississippi mud running in their veins. Aided by members of I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, Hillstomp takes bottleneck guitar, harp and junk percussion for a roughhousing drive over the hills and into the swamp with originals like "Flood Blues," "Nope" and "Graverobber's Blues." Having the good taste to cover not only NMHC god RL Burnside ("Goin' Down South") but also country blues legend Bukka White ("Shake 'em On Down") also gets the boys a buttload of good karma. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE LADYKILLERS
Welcome to Rock 'N' Roll Kid
(No. 3)
Welcome to Rock 'N' Roll Kid, the second album by L.A.-based trio the Ladykillers (who says all the great band names are taken?), is no more or less that straightahead, old-fashioned punk rock: three chords, a few sizzling guitar riffs, snarling vox and an attitude right out of Marlon Brando's immortal line "Whattaya got?" Despite the sneer attached to the hooks of "Heart Attack Machine" and "Drinking With the Boys," though, there's a bruised heart buried under all those tattoos. Tunes like "Break My Heart" and "Nobody Else" give the Ladykillers a dimension beyond their obvious punk in drublic virtues. A few demerits, however, for thinking covering Tom Petty's anemic rebel yell "Won't Back Down" was a good idea. Michael Toland

BEN LEE
Awake is the New Sleep
(New West)
Aussie folk rocker Ben Lee returns from his stint with the Bens ( a side project with Ben Folds and Ben Kweller) with a record all about waking up. Waking up from what, he doesn't say, but Lee clearly feels this is the most important record ever recorded. Ironically, Lee strolls through song after sleepy song with enough energy for a good nap. But that isn't to say this isn't a good disc, it just doesn't quite match the billing. "Whatever It Is," the first cut, sets the stage for things to come with Lee's acoustic lullaby style, smart guitar playing and soft harmonies. "Into the Dark" and "No Right Angles" are the best tracks and make clear the influence of producer Brad Wood, who works with another enigmatic folkster, Liz Phair. Awake is the New Sleep is probably a good bet for fans of Lee's no frills approach to songwriting. Lance Looper [buy it]

LIGHTWEIGHT HOLIDAY
Lightweight Holiday
(Porterhouse)
Lightweight Holiday makes its debut with this surprising punk-power-pop record. The Cincinnati-based foursome blends influences from the ghosts of rock's past and present and puts a stake in the ground for ownership of the future. Capturing the vocal diversity of the Beatles and the guitar driven energy of Green Day, Lightweight Holiday is as much a clear indicator of where music is going as where it has been. Andy Gobbard's vocals are authoritative and smooth, lifting songs like "FYI" to a place well above what is expected of any new band. This record is well-paced and shows off the band's chemistry with balanced arrangements. Lightweight Holiday will be a band to watch in 2005 and beyond. Lance Looper [buy it]

JACK LOGAN
Nature's Assembly Line
(Orange Twin)
The product of a loose confab called the Monday Night Recording Club, Nature's Assembly Line collects songs written and recorded quickly on 4- and 8-track on, yes, Monday evenings. Joined by current and former members of the Possibilities and the Drive-By Truckers, among others, Logan soulfully croons various shades of loose-limbed power pop and roots rock tuneage. True to their heritage, some of these songs sound like they could use a bit more polish. But it's hard to complain about craft when the whole enterprise has such a relaxed, friendly, inviting feel. One listen and you're a member of the club too. Michael Toland [buy it]

HARRY MANX
West Eats Meet
(Dog My Cat)
Canadian troubadour Harry Manx is in a spiritual frame of mind on his latest record West Eats Meet. Tunes like "The Great Unknown" and "Something of Your Grace" ponder the presence and influence of a Creator in the world, while "Make Way For the Living" and "The Ways of Love" contemplate the human element's place in that same universe. Considering the theme, it's appropriate that Manx's fusion of country blues and Indian music, augmented here by tastefully employed gospel harmonies, reaches its apex here. Calling Manx simply a bluesman is probably no longer appropriate; West Eats Meet puts the songwriter in his own distinctive, soulful category. Michael Toland [buy it]

CASS MCCOMBS
Perfection
(Monitor)
Cass McCombs' sophomore release Prefection picks up where the highly acclaimed A left off. McCombs is completely in his element with droning, heartbreaking, ethereal pop songs. Sometimes dark and mysterious, other times lively and colorful, Prefection leaves you thinking this is somehow just the beginning. Like maybe the record itself is only the first step on some mythical journey. The disc also has a theatrical feel to it, particularly the song "Multiple Suns." This record reminds me of Pink Floyd's The Wall in that respect. "Multiple Suns" then transitions seamlessly into "Tourist Woman," which sounds like an homage to the Doors, adding another layer to the dream-like attitude of the record. The one thing that bugged me was that at the end of the disc was several minutes of bird-like noises that proved highly annoying. At least my dogs seemed to dig it. Lance Looper [buy it]