Reviews February 2008 Page 1 North Mississippi Allstars - Hernando (Songs Of The South) The NMA audience might be more on the radical fringe of the blues than it is the mainstream, but whereas many of their apparent contemporaries use African-American rhythms to spice up their punk, indie or metal, the Allstars remain strongly rooted. On this fifth album they make no bones about asserting their inner blues rocker; there’s no shortage of thundering bass and drum and no holding back on the crunching cracked and fuzzed up guitar. But whether its a swampy stomper like the formidable opener ‘Shake’, a smoldering slow burner such as closer ‘Long Way From Home’, or 50’s rock ‘n’ roll in the form of ‘Blow Out’, both the playing and subject matter (God and the Devil, life’s hard road, death and despair) remain true to everything the blues should be. This is more disciplined than previous efforts, probably a career best for the band, but dad Jim Dickinson has done a sterling job in ensuring that new levels of sophistication don’t displace the characteristic live feel. There’s a touch of R&B-lite midway that briefly threatens the overall momentum, but otherwise this is chock full of great songs and performances including the dirty and heavy Hendrix-influenced ‘Keep the Devil Down’, ‘Soldier’ with its military beat, big chords and breathy vocals, and chilling standout ‘Take Yo Time Rodney’ where looping guitar lines over a throbbing back beat conjure up a genuine air of menace. Neil B. - James Curry - 13 (Independent) James Curry isn’t one person but two. Brian Tischleder and Casey Fearing play stripped down country-folk-blues that sound a hundred years old, and maybe they are. You can taste the dust, that’s for sure, and if it’s willing replacements for pre-Island Tom Waits you’re looking for, help yourself. http://jamescurry.net Rob F. - David Ralston - I’ve Been Waiting (DRI) An album of blues / alt. pop from Ralston, a guitarist of considerable ability. Hs singing is less impressive, but he’s got a style of his own and maybe it’s just me. There’s some good things on the album, but the one track that really stands out is his cover of Bob Marley’s ‘No Women No Cry’. Again, I’m not sure. Duke Robilard produces. I’m undecided. www.davidralston.com Rob F - Intodown - Brave New World (Independent) What is it with Texans and ballsy, garagey psych. Ever since Roky Erikson spewed forth the 13th Floor Elevators, there’s always been a healthy local scene. Intodown’s guitarist (and mainman) Michael Clark is old enough to have played in a band that supported the Elevators first time round, and listening to Brave New World, he obviously never quite got over it. This is a very good thing indeed. Mainly instrumental (Clark mumbles the words to Erikson’s ‘Reverberation’ on ‘Elevate’). Brave New World stretches rhythms, riffs and spidery lead guitar, sometimes in the same direction. It’s epic in scale - ten minute songs are the norm - if not in execution - too groovey, too stoned - and it’s never boring. Check out their MySpace page for tasters. www.myspace.com/intodown Rob F. - Various Artists - Disco Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro And Leftfield Disco Classics 1974-1986 (Strut) A fourteen track collection, ranging from angry 70's post punk to left field disco. A grand mix guaranteed to clear or fill a dancefloor, depending on where you stand on Boney M and Earth Wind and Fire. DND includes cuts from Bill Laswell's Material, Shriekback, Quando Quango, Belgian New Beat, Gina X and `70s prog collective Isotope. A dozen years worth rediscovering. Rob F. - Nels Cline / Carlos Giffoni / Alan Licht / Lee Ranaldo - Nothing Makes Any Sense (No Fun Productions) ‘Nothing Makes Any Sense’ would be a true statement to make in accompaniment to some of the vast Noise genre’s output yet this release sees this supergroup, comprising some of the leading components of Noise, craft an aural narrative that guides the listener, via crumbling vibrations into spaced-out wastelands and out into the realms of guitar / electronics free noise. www.nofunproductions.com Will F. Next Page Past Reviews: March 07, April 07, May 07, June/July 07, Sept/Oct 07, Dec07, Jan08