Album Reviews
THE SALEM LIGHTS
Secret Cistern
(Dollar Record)
Sometimes it seems that for every mainstream success, there's an underground analog who's just as talented, if not more so. In this case, Oakland's Salem Lights work much the same classic rock/garage/punk mojo as Australian comet Jet. Cory Linstrum's howl is much more unrefined than the Jet guy's, however, and the Lights' tune aren't as likely to have you playing "spot the borrowed riff." But if Jet is your bag (and why wouldn't it be?), fine-ass cuts like "Count Ziggenpuss," "Region of Honor" and the album-closing anthem "Person Collector" will make you smile like you just found a fifty dollar bill. Michael Toland [buy it]
SLEEPYKID
Monday Morning Smile
(Get Hip)
Monday Morning Smile is the debut album from Revelers refugees Andrej Cuturic, Matt Charboneau, and Chris Klasa. Wailing from one song to the next is Cuturic, with expressive voice and mostly unintelligible lyrics. Monday Morning Smile is unlikely to gain Sleepykid the type of following the Revelers had, but it does reflect a more mature attitude. After all, we are nearly five years removed from the last Revelers album. The time away has matured Cuturic's songwriting, which is very apparent on the final track, "Take Your Time." Sleepykid will no doubt raise comparisons to the Who and the Kinks, but a shade softer. Lance Looper [buy it]
SONS OF OTIS
X
(Small Stone)
This must be what it sounds like when Galactus gets a fix. After he's sucked on the bong of his big-ass machine that just relieved some densely populated planet of all its life energy, he lolls around his space ship, gazing at the stars that comprise his kingdom. He eventually nods off, but not before hurtling a few junk-garbled grand pronouncements out into the void. But even at the apex of his high, the Great Devourer sweats more power than the biggest nuclear plant ever conceived by pissant mortals. You might be able to sidle up for a closer look when he's on the nod, but don't poke at him, or he'll vaporize you without blinking. Michael Toland [buy it]
SPIRIT
Model Shop
(Sundazed)
The soundtrack to a little-seen 60s flick, Model Shop was Spirit's project between 1968's The Family That Plays Together and 1969's Clear; indeed, a few of the score's tunes turned up on the latter. While there are a couple of typically Spirited psychedelic rock songs, most of Model Shop is appropriately instrumental movie music. But it's a cut above the usual aural wallpaper, thanks mostly to keyboardist John Locke's jazzy fingerings and the band's fine-tuned melodic capacities. Michael Toland [buy it]
EDDIE TURNER
Rise
(NorthernBlues)
Until recently, Eddie Turner was the man giving blues great Otis Taylor's music the spacey, psychedelic lead guitar that helped make it special. Now Turner's struck out on his own with his first solo album Rise, and it's a beaut. Both more electric and less intense than his former bandleader's work, Turner's blues come in a variety of shades. From the slinky slow burn of "Ask Myself Why" and gospel harmonizing of "Sin" to the cosmic atmospherics of "Resurrection" and psychedelic groove of "Secret," "The River" and the title track, Turner proves himself adept at any road down which his imagination takes him, without ever losing the spirit of the form. Of course, it helps that every tune is centered on his honey-smooth vocals and acid-washed guitar. Rise is a stunningly good debut record, with a vision of the blues as modern in outlook as it is respectful of tradition. Michael Toland [buy it]
THE UGLY BEATS
Bring on the Beats!
(Get Hip)
With all the garage rock mayhem blowing speakers right now, it's nice to hear a band of that ilk that remembers that you can make pop music with Vox equipment. Austin's Ugly Beats don't bother slathering everything in cheap fuzztone, especially since doing so would cover up the hooks of "I'll Walk Away," "Girl on the Brain" and the instrumental "Get Up." The quintet can get loud, though, cranking the energy level on "I'll Close My Eyes," "Don't, Girl" (which also features rippling 12-string licks) and a jet-propelled cover of the Easybeats' "I'll Make You Happy." The band also shows good taste in obscurities by taking on the Outsiders' "Filthy Rich." Ah, the heck with genre labels—Bring on the Beats! is just an excellent rock & roll record. Michael Toland [buy it]
