PHOTOS
Mike Evans
THE RACONTEURS - Consolers of the Lonely
THE GOOD: The
Jack White/Brendan Benson supergroup comes back, proving they weren't just a one-off side project.
THE BAD: Consolers has a few duds, but definitely ducks the sophomore slump.
THE NITTY GRITTY: Actually, this one surpasses the band's 2006 debut,
Broken Boy Soldiers. The back-and-forth between
White and
Benson has further solidified - the pair trading off spitfire vocals and jagged guitar riffs effortlessly.
Each guy continues to complement the other, as well -
White's razor-sharp delivery bringing
Benson's melodies to life, while
White's songs gain more depth through Benson. At least that's what I'm assuming. It's difficult to tell who wrote what.
But none of that matters. What's important is the end result. In this case, we get a raw, spontaneous rock record written and recorded on the fly with all of its flaws and unfettered emotion left intact. Cuts like "Salute Your Solution" and "Five on the Five" tear up the joint while more subdued songs, such as "Many Shades Of Black," remain calm yet powerful.
BUY IT?: Absolutely!
The Raconteurs is not an "experiment." The group is its own entity with its own driven personality. And
Consolers kicks!
THE BLACK KEYS - Attack & Release
THE GOOD: Bare bones guitarist/vocalist
Dan Auerbach and drummer
Patrick Carney return with more raw rock 'n' roll - this time with a twist!
THE BAD: Some may resent the guys stretching their musical wings. Keep an open mind though.
Attack & Release cooks!
THE NITTY GRITTY: Collaborating with outside producer
Danger Mouse (
Gnarles Barkley,
Gorillaz),
The Black Keys are carrying their music into new territory. The grain and grit are still here - sharp distorted guitar riffs riding the most rudimentary crashing backbeats. However, the entire back canvas is now more multi-colored with richer textures. Swirling organ, the occasional low-fi banjo, eerie back-up vocals, and moody echo-heavy atmospherics all add to the proceedings without scraping away the naked emotion.
One feels the
DM influence throughout the funky flute-tinged strut of "Same Old Thing." "Remember When (Side A)" is a swaying country ballad covered in the muck of a Georgia swamp. "Remember When (Side B)" is the same song with a different attitude - its temper cranked all the way up. "So He Won't Break" comes off as sinister and sneaky with a wailing harmonica buried deep in the mix.
BUY IT?: Attack & Release satisfies the soul.
BE YOUR OWN PET - Get Awkward
THE GOOD: Young Nashville punks
Be Your Own Pet unleashes its rabid sophomore set.
THE BAD: Awkward isn't flawless or strikingly original for that matter. However with punk, you don't strive for perfection.
Those looking for A LOT of music may be put off by the disc's running time - 12 songs in 30 minutes. Then again, punk songs shouldn't be epics.
THE NITTY GRITTY: Fronted by modern riot girl
Jemina Pearl,
BYOP cranks out vicious bits of guitar-strewn, distortion-heavy punk mixed with just the right amounts of trashy garage and surf rock.
Pearl is one tough chick with enough grit and attitude to steal the spotlight away from the boys. Even though no one in the group is of legal drinking age,
BYOP already knows how to make a lot of rambunctious noise.
Tunes like "Bitches Leave" and "Zombie Graveyard Party" are packed with wild abandon. "Heart Throb" rides crazy rhythms and rumbling riffs. "You're A Waste" is a bit more somber, but still crackles. Then, of course, you have
Pearl beating up every dickhead boyfriend you've ever had throughout "Twisted Nerve."
BUY IT?: Yeah.
Awkward is a good time ... good and loud.
THIS WEEKEND'S NEW RELEASES - CD
JA RULE -
The Mirror
LAST SHADOW PUPPETS -
The Age of the
Understatement
THIS WEEKEND'S NEW RELEASES - DVD
FIRST SUNDAY
with Ice Cube and Regina Hall
OVER HER DEAD BODY
with Eva Longoria and Paul Rudd
P.S. I LOVE YOU
with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler