Album Reviews
ADRIANNE
Down to This
(Kufala)
Down to This, Adrianne's fourth record, is appropriately titled. Stripped down to almost nothing, the songs are as simple as can be. I was actually surprised to see the list of musicians who played on this album because most of the disc is driven completely by Adrianne's soft voice and softer guitar playing. This is an all-acoustic set, and includes a few live recordings, most notably, an acoustic version of "10,000 Stones," the title track from her most popular record from a year or so back. Another great song is "Shout it Out," an emotional, pop-laden love song. Adrianne is a promising up-and-comer with the subtle delivery missing from similar acts today. Lance Looper [buy it]
ANTON BARBEAU
Waterbugs & Beetles
(Pink Hedgehog)
For the reissue of his rare second album, Sacramento bard Anton Barbeau has taken the unusual step of cutting songs from the original running order, rather than adding bonus cuts. I've not heard the first version, so I've no idea if it's a loss, but I'm happy to have this record back in print. It's not quite as wigged-out as so much of Barbeau's later work, but it's still wonderfully lyrically eccentric, super-catchy power pop. It's nice to know such a deviant mind has always owned a bottomless well of great hooks. Accessible and weird, just like the man's best. Michael Toland
THE BLACK FURIES
Death Trip Saturday Night
(Gearhead)
Does the world really need another punk-fueled, angry hard rock band? The Black Furies successfully argue in the affirmative. The San Fran quartet's third album rips, roars and snarls in the most beautiful ways, riding standard but effective guitar hooks that burrow right through your ribcage to your pounding heart. Cue up "Deadset," "Hardwired" or "Murder City Shakedown" for the kind of no-frills thrills you know you love, you dirty dog. Michael Toland [buy it]
THE BLACK WATCH
The Hypnotizing Sea
(Pink Hedgehog)
Following up the wonderful The Innercity Garden ep, the Black Watch soldiers on with The Hypnotizing Sea. To say that this record is full of emotionally glistening, superbly written, melodically engaging folk/pop/rock almost goes without saying; there aren't that many artists as consistent in vision and quality as John Andrew Frederick and company. "The Shakespeare Song," "Papercut" and "Story of Your Life" join the EP holdovers "Dylan Dylan Dylan" and "Innercity Garden" in the running for best BW tunes yet, and the title track adds an impressively noisy, psychedelic new wrinkle to the band's natty suit. Surely, with an album as good The Hypnotizing Sea, fame and fortune, or at least a decent cult audience, can't be far behind. Michael Toland
JACKSON BROWNE
Running On Empty
(Elektra/Rhino)
I was once a big Jackson Browne fan, before his clumsy political statements (which I mostly agreed with, but nevertheless…) and "fuck me, I'm sensitive" persona started to grate on my nerves. But Running On Empty, an anomaly in his vast catalog, still holds up. The loose arrangements and live feel of these songs, recorded onstage, backstage and in various hotel rooms, lose the preciousness of so much of his work. The title song is a genuine classic; "Love Needs a Heart," "Rosie" and "Shaky Town" (penned by tour guitarist Danny Kortchmar) are some of his best but least-celebrated songs. "The Load Out" still holds up if you have a jones for 70s cheese. If you own only one Browne record (and, frankly, you don't need more than that), this is the one to get. Unfortunately, the DVD that comes with it has little of interest for anyone but the least discriminating Browne fanatic. Too bad. Michael Toland [buy it]
C'MON
In the Heat of the Moment
(MapleMusic)
When bassist Katie Lynn Campbell left Nashville Pussy, she ended up in this Canadian combo. I'm not gonna say she's trading up or anything, but she certainly didn't lose any momentum. C'Mon trades in unabashed 70s-style, riffs-a-poppin' power rock, vanguarded by guitarist/singer Ian Blurton, who sounds like he was born to do nothing else. Keeping the songs concise, C'Mon hits hard and fast and moves on before you have a chance to catch your breath. Which is what good rock & roll should do. Michael Toland [buy it]
DAVE'S TRUE STORY
Simple Twist of Fate: DTS Does Dylan
(BePop)
Jazz pop duo Dave's True Story (AKA singer Kelly Flint and guitarist David Cantor) takes on rock's most famous troubadour, and it turns out to be a good match. Flint uncovers new degrees of expression when interpreting "Just Like a Woman," "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" and "Simple Twist of Fate;" Cantor puts down some of his most tasteful accompaniment while giving the melodies a smooth sheen that, amazingly, works. (Except on "I Want You," which is several degrees too slick.) The album is really just an EP, with several tracks given over to radio edits and different mixes; the Daniel Lanois-like alternative mix of "You're a Big Girl Now" is superior to the "official" version. But tacking a band original on the end, as good as "Blood & Bone" is, kinda blows the concept, doen't it? Michael Toland [buy it]
THE FLAKES
Back to School
(Dollar Record)
On the one hand, it may be difficult to distinguish the Flakes from the gazillion garage rock bands that have sprung up in the wake of the Nuggets box set. On the other hand, it's hard to quibble while Back to School spins. The band obviously eats this shit for breakfast; "Sadie Slye" and "C'mon and Swim" rock with balls and hooks, while the group's cover of garage band favorite "Hold On I'm Coming" is as genuine as any other bunch of noisy white boys. Michael Toland [buy it]
