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The Backsliders, Southern Lines, Mammoth Records
Southern Lines is The Backsliders' long-anticipated follow-up to 1997's Throwing Rocks At The Moon. Head honcho/songwriter/singer Chip Robinson completely reorganized the band in between, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. With a startling, witty twist of irony, Robinson's weathered hands grace both the front and back of the CD, as if to say, "Look at these hands ... they've seen hard work, tough times and experience, but they still work just fine." Indeed -- so does the music for that matter. Chip Robinson's new songs are rougher and heavier this time out. Throwing Rocks At The Moon was a lighthearted affair, with several up-tempo, carefree country numbers. Not so this time. Robinson and his stellar new band go for a thicker, denser, and ultimately darker rock sound, with a country touch here and there. There's not a bad track anywhere. The lead cut "Abe Lincoln," kicks in hard at a forceful tempo. "It Rained On Monday" brings back the ghost of Gram Parsons and his early seventies informal collaborations with the Rolling Stones, and contains one of the most emotional, heart-tugging guitar riffs I have ever heard. "Burning Bed" tells the story of a failed relationship and its effect on the narrator. From a musical standpoint, The Backsliders conjure up a sound very, very close to that of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on this cut, as well as at other times during the course of the recording. One may also discern the influence of Bob Dylan. Mary Lee Kortes contributes background vocals and producer Eric Ambel helps out on guitar as well, making Southern Lines a completely satisfying effort, one seen through the eyes of a world-weary, over forty southerner who still has a great deal to say. My highest recommendation.
Little Big Wheel, Home, self-released
This young Massachusetts quartet's debut disc is a promising assemblage of meaty heartland rock with an underlying but visible layer of country. Little Big Wheel borrows liberally from John Mellencamp and undoubtedly absorbed old-timey Appalachian folk music, plus a little Bakersfield twang. Any band with a song entitled "Drool" is okay with me. Band buddy David Dick adds economical banjo licks on several cuts, and the addition of spacey keyboards flesh out tracks like "Long Way Home" and "Bitter Circle."
The Damnations TX, Half Mad Moon, Sire Records
Fronted by sisters Amy Boone and Deborah Kelly, with Rob Bernard on guitars, banjo and mandolin, The Damnations TX have one of the freshest, most exhilarating Americana country sounds heard in recent months. Much has been written over the years about siblings who harmonize -- the inborn sonority, the innate sense of knowing each other's inflections, phrasing, strengths and weaknesses. Boone and Kelly could be the female Everly Brothers, for their vocals are consistently natural and unassuming, yet muscular, startling and far up-front. One must not fail to mention the band's memorable original material, instrumental ability, and the upbeat, effortless ease with which they present themselves. In other words, there's nary a stinker of a song in the bunch. Everything works wonderfully, making The Damnations TX's Half Mad Moon a stunning CD. Very highly recommended.
Stephen Bruton, Nothing But The Truth, New West Records
Stephen Bruton's tunes are based around solid dance grooves that encompass blues, roots rock 'n' roll, funky rhythm & blues, and New Orleans second line jive. Although Bruton is only an average singer with a similarity to Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, his enthusiasm puts the material across nicely, not unlike Roy Rogers, another blues-based guitarist/vocalist. Bruton's matter-of-fact lyrics, melodic sense and sophisticated guitar work all help make Nothing But The Truth a listenable, entertaining disc.
The Flatirons, Prayer Bones, Checkered Past Records
Centered around the bleak, sensuous vocals of Wendy Pate and otherworldly, sometimes surfy guitars of Jason Okamoto and Scott Weddle, Prayer Bones is a fascinating and murky gathering of songs about alienation, loss and desperation -- just the right antidote for a sunny day. The Flatirons' dreary song landscapes are nothing less than arresting, even their countryfied, rocking version of Ozzy Osborne's "Crazy Train." I wouldn't advise playing Prayer Bones at your next blowout party, however. People might split, but that's their loss.
Label Addresses: Mudbone Records, PO Box 829, Franklin, WV 26807; Mammoth Records, The Broad Street Building, 101 B. Street, Carrboro, NC 27510; Little Big Wheel, PO Box 65, Northboro, MA 01523; Sire Records, 936 Broadway, New York, NY 10010; New West Records, 1043 Grand Ave., #262, St. Paul, MN 55105; Checkered Past Records, 1456 W. Dayton, Suite 205, Chicago, IL 60622.