CD Review: Miniature Tigers — Fortress; Playing Black Cat, August 17 and Star Bar, August 20

Miniature Tigers
Fortress
Modern Art/LG

By Eileen Tilson

Once upon a time there was a woman who ate her very first pot brownie. This “space cake” as she so cleverly called it, took about 45 minutes to effect her, starting at her tingling toes, and riding her blood waves, until her entire body felt like it was in slow motion. Everything was funny, everything was mellow, and for a brief period of time, everything seemed right in the world. This same orbit can be felt by listening to Brooklyn-via-Phoenix band Miniature Tigers’ latest album Fortress. The record is produced by Morning Benders’ Chris Chu, who brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the project through his eclectic use of echo bits, snappy snare, and twinkling synth effects. This is the lovechild of the Monkeys and the Beach Boys growing up in the Heart of Hipster Cool, Williamsburg. … Continue Reading

CD Review: The Junior League Band — Jelly Roll; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel, July 16

The Junior League Band
Jelly Roll
Beaver Records

By Jim Simpson

The Junior League Band’s third full-length release begins with the most promising and enticing invitation to a party as ever there was one: “Give me some sugar and hold me tight/The whiskey’s out, don’t be a stranger tonight.” With banjo player/lead singer Lissy Rosemont’s breathy and mesmerizingly original vocal style, it’s hard to resist the offer. The Atlanta native and current Washington, D.C. resident has assembled quite a tight and confident band, including – check this out – Levon Helm’s horn section. The woman is, in a word, connected. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Venice is Sinking — Sand & Lines; Playing The EARL on August 28

Venice is Sinking
Sand & Lines
One Percent Press Records

By Scott Roberts

Underscoring the fact that Sand & Lines, the hypnotically-dreamy third release from Athens quintet Venice is Sinking, was recorded live in the now sadly decimated-by-fire Georgia Theatre, the opening track “Sidelights” begins with a few warm-up drum hits, followed by some incomprehensible conversation and then coughing before the beauty begins. The song’s soothing, unhurried beat provided by drummer Lucas Jensen, Karolyn Troupe’s mournful viola, and vocalist/guitarist Daniel Lawson’s sleepy singing all serve to create and establish a laid-back, yet emotionally stirring mood that permeates the entire CD. … Continue Reading

CD Review: The Constellations — Southern Gothic; Playing Black Cat, September 28 and The EARL, October 2

The Constellations
Southern Gothic
Virgin Records

By Sam Parvin

These guys held out on releasing this album for a while, and boy I’m sure glad they did! After their celebratory show at The EARL with Soulphonics and Ruby Velle just hours after inking their autographs on a contract with Virgin Records, the crowd knew the next time they heard such tunes as “Setback” and “Felicia” they would be coming from their iTunes playlists, polished up and shining with a level of production characteristic of a true blue record deal. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Sleepy Sun — Fever; Playing Black Cat, September 8 and The EARL, September 12

Sleepy Sun

Fever

ATP Recordings

By Eileen Tilson

Rumor has it that if you walk into certain bars in Amsterdam, you can walk up to the bartender who will then promptly ask you how you would like to “feel,” which you can then order from a long list of drugs to give you your desired effect. From hot to hazy, Sleepy Sun’s latest export Fever, could be referred to as the Cornucopia of Amsterdam’s goodies. With the capability to mix dark psychedelic rock with spaced out vocals, and smoky mountain voodoo, Fever will leave you wondering whether you accidentally ate the “special” mushrooms on your pizza. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Monte Montgomery — Monte Montgomery; Playing The Local May 22

Monte Montgomery
Monte Montgomery
Eminent Records

By Al Kaufman

Monte Montgomery is an extraordinary guitarist. Of that there can be no doubt. One need just listen to his tremendous instrumental cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” to understand that. It is powerful enough to make a grown man weep.

Montgomery is also adept and writing his own rock/blues songs. “River,” a seven-plus minute epic that opens the CD, has a big, wide open sound full of turbulent weather imagery. It recalls early an early Chris Whitley both vocally and musically. “Moonlight Tango” is something Carlos Santana would be proud to call his own. And “Can’t Fool Everyone” is just pure thumping energy. Even when the songs are just average, such as on “Could’ve Loved You Forever,” he makes sure to add a solo that makes listening worth while. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Plants and Animals — La La Land; Playing The EARL, June 5 and Rock and Roll Hotel, June 7

Plants and Animals
La La Land
Secret City Records

By Chris Homer

La La Land, the second album from Montreal trio Plants and Animals, marks a major shift in the band’s sound. While Plants and Animals’ 2008 debut, Parc Avenue, was anchored by quiet folk melodies interspersed with huge choir choruses, blasts of brass horns and sections of jam-band riffs, La La Land is more focused on plugged-in guitar pop. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers — Agridustrial; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel April 13 and The EARL May 8

Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers

Agridustrial

By Eileen Tilson

Known for their ability to shake redneck country, punk, and hillbilly blues into a whiskey-infused shot of sin, Nashville-based Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers are back with their release of Agridustrial on their own Colonel Knowledge Records. The band comes back guns blazing with just a few changes in the family, including new guitarist Duane Denison (Hank III, Jesus Lizard) playing with the same force of his predecessors and new drummer Brett Whitacre pounding away at his drum kit like he is trying to put out the fire. It is singer Colonel J.D. Wilkes’ snarling voice though, that remains the familiar manic friend along with longtime bassist, Mark Robertson who helps create the mayhem the Shack Shakers have always been known to cause. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Jeff Beck — Emotion and Commotion

Jeff Beck
Emotion and Commotion
Atco

By Al Kaufman

Jeff Beck loves and respects the guitar too much to just hack out albums when he does not feel inspired. While other guitar legends, such as Eric Clapton or B.B. King, are content to rehash old material or team up with upstarts to put out new product, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Beck just goes out and works on cars until inspiration strikes. Thus Emotion and Commotion comes seven years after Beck’s last studio album, Jeff. It is well worth the wait. … Continue Reading

CD Review: Everybody Was In The French Resistance … Now! – Fixin’ the Charts Vol. 1; Playing DC9 May 15 and The EARL May 17

Everybody Was In The French Resistance … Now!
Fixin’ the Charts Vol. 1

By Jennifer Gibson

Art Brut’s Eddie Argos and his girlfriend Dyan Valdes of The Blood Arm may have made one of the most intellectually-stimulating records in recent memory. Stimulating, that is, for music geeks. For everyone else, it’s just one of the easiest good times they might have all year.

Fixin’ the Charts Vol. 1 is their debut as Everybody Was In The French Resistance … Now! It’s a mouthful, but so is the concept – take several hit songs and rewrite them from a skewed but more interesting viewpoint. Part of the fun is trying to decipher which songs inspired them. Some are obvious – “Billie’s Genes” takes on the son who was denied by Michael Jackson all those years ago, while “Hey! It’s Jimmy Mack,” defends Martha and the Vandellas’ wronged boyfriend with the line, “If that’s your attitude, I’m never coming back!” Others might take a moment to get, like “Coal Digger,” which tells the side of the story neglected by Kanye West in “Gold Digger.” And some are just funny, like when Argos tells the stalker Avril Lavigne, “I’m very in love with someone else, I’ve got concerns about your mental health,” in “G.I.R.L.F.R.E.N. (You know I got).”

But response songs aren’t much of a novelty, and that in itself isn’t a reason to like the record. It’s Argos’ inexplicable wit and charm, which shine through on each track (other than the bratty Cockney accent it’s hard to grasp), and clever lyrics that carry the record. And the music is a blast, not so much indie rock as it is a funky blend of pop and retro horns. (Especially “(I’m So) Waldo P. Emerson Jones.”) It makes for 12 seriously fun, danceable tracks, and if you happen to connect the dots when your friends can’t maybe you’ll feel smarter, too.

Everybody Was In The French Resistance … Now! play DC9 on May 15

… and The EARL on May 17.