Radio Moscow
If I had to make a list of the top 10 most influential and overall effective international invasions in history I would most likely be inclined to include the British Invasion of the 1960′s somewhere on that list. As part of my argument for the inclusion of this, probably one of the least physically violent of any invasion, I present Exhibit A: Radio Moscow. This trio hails from the far reaches of the mid western United States, from a land known to most as Iowa. Before today, the extent of my knowledge of what came from Iowa was corn and baseball playing apparitions, but now I stand a man of changed opinion.
If I were to take a guess at the ingredients necessary to make the music of Radio Moscow in terms of its influences I would have to say it seems to be a perfect blend of equal parts Zeppelin and Cream for a good base, a bit of Hendrix for flavor and maybe even a dash of the 13th Floor Elevators for an extra psychedelic spice to kick it up. Mix well and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes and you’ve got the modern equivalent of a timeless era of music from across the pond (of course the Elevators were actually from the great state of Texas but Hendrix may as well have been from the U.K.). What sort of sets Radio Moscow apart from their elder psychedelic blues men is that their tunes are a bit heavier and steadily upbeat. Still there is no mistaking the classic, reverberant, harmonic odyssey headed by a fuzzed out guitar and vocal one-two punch.
Unfortunately Radio Moscow doesn’t show any signs of extensive touring in the near future, as that would probably be a very worthwhile investment of time, but I know I’ll be on the lookout for any treks to my area to see if the live show lives up to what I have envisioned. Until then get your fill from the bands website: www.radiomoscow.net. It’s never a bad idea to support the cause with the purchase of an album to add to your personally collection either.
Pardon Me
Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights have been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard the tunes from their self-produced “Hot Trottin’” album a couple years ago. Now that they have signed with Atlantic and released their major label debut, they remain, without a doubt, one of my favorites. These guys bring back a “joyous reunion of rock with its oft-forgotten prodigal twin, the roll — with papa blues and mama soul along for the ride, too.” I don’t think I or anyone else could have said it better than, so I choose not to try. Rock and roll music. Plain and simple. JT & TNL bring an all out barrage of in your face rock and roll with some soulful ballads to balance it out. “Pardon Me” is quite an enjoyable journey through the life of up and coming rockers and and, although all of the tunes grow from the same roots, a number of different moods spring up throughout the album.
The songs “Gypsy Woman” and “She Wears a Smile” from the bands earlier independent release are reprized for this album and, despite some changes (mostly in the more crisp production of the album), remain true to form as classic JT & TNL compositions. The first half of the album is pretty much just straight, rockin’, kick-in-the-face tunes and then you get a quick breather with the stripped down, acoustic “Paint Me a Picture.” The aptly named “Bright Energy” brings the pulse back up a bit and keeps you on your toes with a lot of layered, almost psychedelic sounds. One song that stands out to me is “Hot Sake.” This song, to me, screams Rolling Stones but is still distinctly Northern Lights. Takes me back to the times I’ve seen these fellas live and heard covers of “Honky Tonk Woman” and other Stones classics.
If anybody can do the Stones justice in a live show it’s these guys, and there is certainly nothing lacking in their own music either. Personally I think the true test of a good band is their live show, and, that being said, these native Texans pass with flying colors. Give the album a listen and if it happens to be your cup of tea then you definitely need a live experience for the full effect. A Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights show is a must see in my opinion. Just be prepared for involuntary tapping of the foot or bobbing of the head and when you feel it coming on, embrace it. You’ll be glad you did.
The Statesboro Revue
Quality over quantity is the adage of the moment for my attendance of the South by Southwest festivities this year. Although I didn’t get to do much show hopping at the Austin, TX festival, I’m sure catching the Statesboro Revue show at Antone’s would have easily made my highlight reel if I had seen every show available. I had actually come to the show for the headliner, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights, and the Revue, who lead off the five act line up, was completely foreign to me, but after 30 minutes of being waylaid from every side of the stage I found myself immediately wondering when would be the next time I could see a full set from these Austin natives. Their rootsy, soulful tunes are just the kind of stuff I’ve been excited to see revived as of late and the Statesboro quintet have exactly what it takes to influence a new generation of southern rockers.
The combination of crunchy blues guitar and powerful vocals tied down to a solid rhythm was surely mixed better than any of the choice beverages being served to the spectators (which is no slight on the bartenders at Antone’s). Front man Stewart Mann, with his seemingly endless supply of energy, was channeling moves from the likes of Robert Plant and Mick Jagger and making them his own while commanding a vocal presence that can be likened to that of Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes. Only the guitar duo of Todd Laningham and Will Knaak stepping in with their catchy blues riffs, smooth country melodies and in your face guitar solos could defer focus from Mann’s demanding stage presence and with the three of them parading around the stage it was hard to keep your eyes in one spot for long. Of course nothing can be taken away from drummer Beau Wadley or bassist Rob Alton, whose smooth rhythm and unwieldy fills kept each song upright and without whom the show would not have been the same. The rhythm section always gets the least attention but not enough can be said about the importance of their role in any show.
The Revue’s songs have a little different sound in recordings than they do on stage, with the live act being a little less country and a lot more rock and roll, but either avenue brings forth a sound that has, and continues to be, cast into the underground music scene. On the up side, more and more bands like the Statesboro Revue are coming out of the woodwork and reviving the South’s own blues blend of country and rock and roll music. So buy the album, catch a show or check em out on YouTube, but whatever you do give the Statesboro Revue a listen and keep the movement alive. With bands like this and support from the fans the South will do it again!
Other good stuff to check out:
-Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights (new album coming soon!!)
-Everest
-Warren Hood & the Hoodlums
OK Go Buy This Album
Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky is the third full length album from the Chicago/Los Angeles based OK Go. The album is their first full length since guitarist Andy Ross joined the band in 2005. In 2008 the band also collaborated with New Orleans based Bonerama on an EP titled You’re Not Alone for musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina (aren’t they sweet?). Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky is a concept album in more ways than twelve and, for this reason, a quality review will require several parts. Of course the primary reason for buying an album is music, so we’ll start there.
There is a definite separation between the lyrical content and musical arrangements in each song on the album. For the most part you’ll find a steady stream of melancholy words flowing to the beat of music that is clearly inspired by the artist formally known as the artist formally known as Prince. The purple rain makers influence is most prevalent in the opening track, WTF?, where you’ll swear the silky vocals and the tasty riffs are coming straight from the top of the mid 80′s pop charts. You can get a good taste of other 80′s pop music from the rampant use of synthesized harmonies throughout, but don’t worry, by no means do you have to be a Flock of Seagulls fan to enjoy the tunes. You’ll be hard pressed to find a dull moment in any of the tracks with percussionist Dan Konopka keeping the pulse rate elevated and switching up the time signatures here and there (4/4 can just get so dull). As an avid fan of the low-end and pentatonic scales, I find myself particularly partial to the fifth track on the album, Skyscrapers. It’s a pretty simple composition that sustains a funky bass line with some crunchy leads mixed in. Just how i like it. Overall I would say keep this album in mind when planning your next living room dance party, but don’t even begin to think that this album can be confined to a single purpose. It’s far from a one trick pony.
The larger concept behind the album is based on an excerpt from a book by General A.J. Pleasonton called The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Colour of the Sky. The book deals with, you guessed it, the blue color of the sky and how the color of the sky is related to the production of crops (that’s just my extremely short synopsis that comes from reading about the book and not actually reading the book so don’t look too much into it and don’t ostracize me for over generalization). The cover booklet that comes with the album contains charts and diagrams that compare the content of the album to that of the book. This is also reflected in the cover art of the album, which even without explanation looks pretty sweet. The diagrams deal with sentence length and structure and uses color codes for the comparisons which gets a bit complex. I’ve yet to take the time to figure it all out, but, of course, all of that is not necessary to enjoy listening to the album.
OK Go are also widely known for the music videos that accompany their songs, as they have earned a Grammy for one such video as well as, at one point, held the top spot for most download video ever. For this album, the video for the song This Too Shall Pass is a must see. I won’t tell you about it, I’ll just highly recommend looking it up. You won’t be disappointed. As a matter of fact after hearing the tunes, looking into the concept of this album and watching their music videos, you would have to be crazy not to have mad respect for the creative talents these guys possess.
OK Go buy this album!
