Album Reviews

DOZER
Through the Eyes of Heathens
(Small Stone)
Formerly Sweden's foremost Kyuss clone, Dozer has evolved. On the first Dozer record in three years, singer/guitarist Fredrik Nordin sounds less enamored of John Garcia than inspired by the stoner rock legend, and the band itself has focused its rollicking riffage into a tighter, more aggressive, less desert-soaked direction. Tracks like "Blood Undone," "From Fire Fell" and "The Roof, the River, the Revolver" are more likely to violently slay their enemies than offer them a bong hit. Through the Eyes of Heathens is quite satisfying, without the familiar aftertaste. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE DUST DEVILS
Gathering Dust
(Heritage)
This is an awesome record. The artists formerly known as the Cosmic Dust Devils have delivered a fantastic farm-rock record with Gathering Dust. Kevin Higgins is a fabulous songwriter, penning songs about the hope born of hard times. "Company Time" is this kind of song, an energetic pledge to the working stiffs. As mainstream country music gets sillier, acts like the Dust Devils are filling a much-needed niche in the American music scene. Lance Looper

EAST RIVER PIPE
What are you on?
(Merge)
On days off from his Home Depot job, F.M. Cornog sits in one corner of his apartment and quietly cranks out song after solid song as East River Pipe. Album number six boasts the same sterling melodies, low-tech synth and guitarscapes and sardonic performances as usual, but there's an undercurrent of disgusted anger running through the record. "The Ultrabright Bitch," "Life is a Landfill" and the title track work out Cornog's issues in a most tuneful manner; "Druglife" puts past addictions under a harsh and unforgiving microscopic light. Though the analog eight-track production is starting to show signs of wear after so many years, it's not enough to damage another sharp set of dolorous ditties flowing from the Pipe. Michael Toland [buy it]

EWIGKEIT
Conspiritus
(Earache)
James Fogarty returns to his Ewigkeit costume with Conspiritus. In the time since the remarkable Radio Ixtlan, Fogarty has become more of a prog metal craftsman, as evidenced by "Square Sunrise." But he's also become even more politically angry, as cuts like "The Thought Police," "The Nightmare Institution" (which adds some Depeche Mode-like synth spice to the crunching guitars) and "How to Conquer the World" make quite clear. Just to keep things in perspective, "Transcend the Senses," however, puts a spiritual leader's speech over anthemic rock music for a more uplifting message. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE GIBSON BROTHERS
Red Letter Day
(Sugar Hill)
Though they're one of the best contemporary bluegrass acts going, the Gibson Brothers don't get nearly the acclaim peers like Alison Krauss and the Del McCoury Band do. Red Letter Day isn't likely to increase the duo's profile, but it's a strong set of bluegrass tunes regardless, with enough tradition to satisfy hardliners but plenty of modern songsmithery to entice the young'ns. Particularly impressive is a cover of Bobby Womack's "It's All Over Now," given a bluegrass makeover that suits the song to a perfect T. Michael Toland [buy it]

GREATDAYFORUP
Flores de Sangre
(Small Stone)
Albany, New York, is apparently a rock & roll town, at least as far as Greatdayforup is concerned. The five-piece rocks its heavy tunes into the ground on Flores de Sangre, its warms tones balanced by balls-out aggression. A mastery of grunge-fried riffs and dinosaur stomp rhythms, as well as Mike Lorgone's charismatic vocals, elevate Greatdayforup above the swampy morass of most stoner rock. Get your air guitars ready. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE HELLACOPTERS
Rock & Roll is Dead
(Liquor and Poker)
At first I thought the latest record by Sweden's rock powerhouse the Hellacopters was a case of the band wimping out. Each album has gotten smoother (though not slicker), and Rock & Roll is Dead has the least amount of distortion and debauchery of any 'copters record yet. But just because the quintet no longer even remotely resembles the band that made Supershitty to the Max! doesn't mean this isn't worthy. As the sound has become less rough, Nick Royale's songwriting has gotten sharper, funnier and more melodic, and the tunes captured here are catchier than ever. "Monkeyboy," "I Might Come to See You Tonight" and "I'm In the Band" are as close to pop as this band gets, while "Leave It Alone" and "No Angel to Lay Me Away" betray the influence of the classic soul Royale explored in his side project the Solution. "Everything's On TV," "Make It Tonight" and the ferocious "Bring It on Home" work that tuneful hard rock groove the Hellacopters do better than anybody. The album title is a mystery; according to this album, rock & roll is most certainly not dead. Michael Toland [buy it]

JOHN HOWARD
As I Was Saying
(Cherry Red/Transistor)
As I Was Saying couldn't be a more appropriate title for John Howard's second new album since his out-of-nowhere comeback a couple of years ago. The British songwriter/pianist picks up right where he left off on Technicolour Biography (his mid-70s piano/voice album that wasn't released until 2004). With unobtrusive backing from a guitarist and bassist, Howard waxes lyrical at the piano, providing his usual mixture of classical pop singer/songwriter melodies, cheeky British wit and ever-so-slightly glam-inflected delivery. The questing "The Dilemma of the Homosapien," the lovely "A Kind of Aching," the calmly vindictive "Life is Never the Way We Want It to Be" and the witty "Oh, Do Give It a Rest, Love" indicate that Howard hasn't lost a step over 30 years. "Dear Glitterheart," the glam tribute from last year's Robert Cochrane collaboration The Dangerous Hours, also makes a welcome reprise. As I Was Saying is proof that Howard should keep talking. Michael Toland [buy it]

THE ILLUMINATI
The Illuminati
(Liquor and Poker)
Canada's Illuminati have torn up enough stages in the Great White North and have decided to infiltrate the rock underground Stateside. This six-song EP gives a great glimpse of the power trio's nimble prowess, with just the right balance of melody, aggression and grace. The trash culture knowledge indicated by "Salon Kitty" and the sense of humor evident in titles like "Lemmy Know" and "On My Way Back Home…Again" makes this U.S. debut even more auspicious. Michael Toland

IRONHEAD
Livin Like We Wanna Die
(In Wine is Truth)
In the new rock & roll underground, Junkyard and Circus of Power are as hip as Iggy & the Stooges and Motörhead, and bands like Ironhead are the result. The Virginia Beach trio eschews any concern for coolness and just gets down to the business of rockin' on "Hard Man to Please," "She's So Evil" and "Lost and Found." The production could be a bit sharper, particularly on the vox, but this is satisfying no-bullshit hard rock. Michael Toland