Album Reviews

THE MOORE BROTHERS
Murdered By the Moore Brothers
(Plain)
It seems Norway's Kings of Convenience aren't the only Simon & Garfunkel enthusiasts in indie rock. Thom and Greg Moore take a lot of inspiration from the simplified arrangements, fraternal harmonies and folk/pop melodies of the early S&G records. Of course, not even Paul Simon wrote putdowns as nasty as the opening lines of "Fresh Thoughts of You," and the duo's literate, contemporary lyrics ensure that Murdered By the Moore Brothers (and how about that title?) isn't mistaken for the work of a nostalgia act. That's not to say there aren't plenty of moments of beauty, but feel-good puffery this ain't. The Moore Brothers are as perfectly sweet and sour as the best Chinese food. Michael Toland [buy it]

MORD
Christendom Perished
(Southern Lord)
Grave Blessings is the latest record from New York's finest Black metal has sprouted rotting buds in all directions lately, from the symphonic accessibility of Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth to the intense claustrophobia of Xasthur to the artblitz of Deathspell Omega. Those craving old-school black metal methods like blast beats, blazing riffs, Satanic devotion and souls of evil (or is that "evil?") need not feel shut out, however. Norway, the serrated heart of the genre, still belches forth grim furies like Mord, a monstrous goblin with upside down crosses stapled to its power chords and guts hanging from its teeth. The difference between Mord and its predecessors is that the duo isn't married to the shitty sound that is considered "traditional" in the genre; the bright, clear production of Christendom Perished gives the eight tracks almost overwhelmingly huge presence. In other words, this record is loud even at low volume, perfect for beer blasts and demon invocations. Let me see some horns! Michael Toland [buy it]

WILLIE NELSON
You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker
(Lost Highway)
The author of "Bubbles in My Beer," "Miss Molly" and "Cherokee Maiden," Cindy Walker is a prolific songwriter in the Western swing and country & western arenas—a lot of country music (at least up until the 90s) is practically a tribute to her style of classy heartbreak. American music great Willie Nelson knows a thing or two about interpreting good tunes, so this low-key album of Walker songs makes perfect sense. Nelson's casual phrasing perfectly suits Walker's jazz-informed melodies, and while the production occasionally airs on the side of cheese (why has anybody ever thought a choir is a good idea for country music?), most of it's pretty cut-and-dried C&W and swing. All You Don't Know Me needs is a duet with Merle Haggard to complete the picture. Michael Toland [buy it]

AMY OBENSKI
Kite
(Amy Obenski))
I can't believe this is only Amy Obenski's second record. The songs on Kite are not only fantastic, but there doesn't seem to be a single wasted note. Obenski's voice is haunting and the arrangements compliment the vocals perfectly. I'm hesitant to categorize it, but if I was to compare her to an artist we can all relate to I would say she sounds a lot like Joni Mitchell or Suzanne Vega. Great record and I can't wait to see her live. Lance Looper [buy it]

PENTAGRAM
First Daze Here Too: The Vintage Collection
(Relapse)
Pentagram is one of the pioneers of underground stoner/doom/heavy rock, but remains mostly unknown due to its early inability to release disks (it formed in 1971 but didn't put anything out until the mid-80s) and its own self-destructive impulses. The Maryland-based band recorded plenty, however, enough for this sequel to First Daze Here, its first compilation of classic sides, to exist. Led by the vocals and songwriting of Bobby Liebling and the unsung guitar heroism of Vincent McAllister, the band moves through various developing permutations of early 70s metal on these two disks, from the fear-mongering doom of "When the Screams Come," "Virgin Death" and its acknowledged classic "Be Forewarned" to the galloping rock & roll of "Teaser," "Man" and "Much Too Young to Know." While several cuts come from various studio sessions, much of this material hails from rehearsal tapes recorded in the band's practice space, and the fidelity suffers accordingly. But the strong songs and eager performances rise above the sound quality, indicating how big a shame it is that Pentagram's original incarnation didn't find better reception. First Daze Here Too is no substitute for the first volume, but it's a worthy companion. Michael Toland [buy it]

MARK PICKEREL AND HIS PRAYING HANDS
Snake in the Radio
(Bloodshot)
Seattle's Mark Pickerel used to drum for the Screaming Trees, then he led the Dark Fantastic, and now he's opening his Praying Hands for all to see. What I see is a roots-based songwriter that comes from outside what people think of as the perimeters of the genre; like Australian Simon Bonney, whose music Pickerel's resembles, the multi-instrumentalist brings a different, more expansive sensibility to Americana, more Gothic and brooding, without wallowing in darkness. Pickerel's supple baritone fits his mission perfectly, as does Johnny Sangster's twangy production. But none of this would matter without good songs, and with examples like "Graffiti Girl," "Snake in the Radio" and "A Town Too Fast For the Blues," Pickerel's got those in abundance. Michael Toland

PLACE OF SKULLS
The Black is Never Far
(Exile on Mainstream)
After a brief breakup, Knoxville power trio Place of Skulls reactivates with The Black is Never Far. Apparently the rest did bandleader Victor Griffin and his mates some good, as the album is the group's strongest so far. In surrender to the band's heritage and instincts, "We The Unrighteous" rocks like prime early Trouble, while "Prisoner's Creed" and "Sense of Divinity" borrow the knotty riffs and rough vocals Griffin's former bandmate Wino cranked out in the Obsessed. The band does branch out, though, with acoustic textures in "Darkest Hour" and the lighter-waving anthem "Changed Heart," a spacy saxophone and jazzy guitar solo in "Lookin' For a Reason" and a general emphasis on melody. Lyrically Griffin dials back the evangelism a tad, even going so far as to discuss the ongoing struggle between his faith and depression in the title track. Place of Skulls wasn't gone long enough for this to be a comeback, but The Black is Never Far is definitely a renewed statement of heavy metal purpose. Michael Toland

RHYTHM & GROOVE CLUB
Groove Approved
(Asend)
Geaux get Groove Approved, the latest album by New Orleans saints Jeff Cook, whose songs have been recorded by Deep Purple and Motley Crüe, and Allen Toussaint, the legendary Southern pianist recently inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. This soulful CD captures the music and magic of the Crescent City through contemporary jazz classics like "Hello Mama" and "Have You Ever Had the Blues?" The Rhythm & Groove Club will transform your living room into a smoke-filled blues joint and make you crave some Cajun crawfish. Deirdre Walsh [buy it]

MATT ROBERTS
Now You Are Gone
(Sound Vault)
Listen up, Ben Lee fans, there is a new independent pop star emerging from the land down under: Dr. Matt Roberts. Although this gifted physician practices medicine in Australia, his music is therapy for the world of the brokenhearted. Roberts' latest record Now You Are Gone skillfully cures listeners with its well-crafted lyrics and pleasant piano chords. With songs like "Second Heart" and "Binary," this album is poetic chicken soup for the hopeless romantic. Deirdre Walsh [buy it]

DUKE ROBILLARD
Guitar Groove-a-Rama
(Stony Plain)
Duke is back after nearly two years and he brought his kick-ass guitar with him. Thanks, God. Based in the blues, this record explores a forest of sounds and is a joy-gasm for the blues set. Robillard's talent speaks for itself and it's a relief that he's not covering someone else's songs this time out. Guitar Groove-A-Rama is the holy grail of not only Robillard fans, but anyone who can appreciate guitar artistry in its purest form. This record can play for days before you hear the same thing twice—that's the depth of Robillard's talent. This is the record of 2006. Lance Looper [buy it]