Audioholic Media

»Album Reviews For Release Date: 08.11.09
by Joshua Krage

The minor label stuff is getting steamrolled this week, so I really had to dig for it — but while digging, I kinda got hooked by some of the majors doing the steamrolling. I’m sorry, but a catchy song is a catchy song, even if it is done by a joke band or a pre-fab fake-country construct. Anyways, on with the show:

After Midnight Project
Between the Trees
BMX Bandits
Bottle Rockets
Rodney Carrington – it’s a Rodney Carrington Christmas album. No joke, and not only is it clean, but he actually sings, and does a decent job of it.
Cavo

Cobra Starship, Hot Mess – still the same tongue-in-cheek ethic that got their (snakes on a) plane off the ground two albums back. If you liked it then, you’ll love it now, as they have all of Pete Wentz’ hype machine and studio gloss behind them and have some solid musicianship built up. Bigger-than-life single “Good Girls Go Bad” is more annoying than catchy, but it does feature Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester in a not-too-bad guest spot that bodes well for her (imminent) singing career.

Robert Cray
801 – a grip of reissues from the killer side-project launched by Roxy Music axeman Phil Manzanera, featuring Brian Eno on some of the better ones.
Robben Ford

Jessie James, Jessie James – total middle-of-the-road top 40 attempt which put me off at first with fake country samples and songs by Kara DioGuardi and Katy Perry, but now is kinda growing on me on account of her super-solid singing voice and the Katy Perry connection. The sell out level on some of these songs is beyond unbearable, but there are some winners here and overall her voice really does deserve attention.

Justin Moore, Justin Moore – a whole lotta ass kickin’ country in a pint-sized package, this kid’s debut draws from the ethic of Hank Jr. (who he name checks, along with David Allan Coe, on single “Small Town USA”) and keeps it country through and through, with steel guitars, solid telecaster runs, piano beds, and plenty of Tennessee twang. With songs like “I Could Kick Your Ass” and “Back That Thing Up,” you know he’s no carbon copy neither…

OST – Bandslam – a Disney rock pic a la Camp Rock, but a bit more rocking, featuring Aly Michalka (from Aly & AJ), Gaelan Connell (?), and High School Musical alum Vanessa Hudgens (whose amazing height difference from Aly is entertaining all by itself) trying to separate themselves from the sugar-coated mousepack, and succeeding to an extent.

Robert Pollard
Showbread

Mindy Smith, Stupid Love – a bit closer to pop for this amazingly gifted country/folk singer-songwriter on her third LP, but plenty of roots to keep her grounded in how she sounds best: confessional country storytelling with a super-honest and emotive voice.

Mike Stern
George Strait

Patrick Wolf, The Bachelor – somewhat over the top UK orchestral glam-pop provocateur travels further down the road of eclecticism, for better or for worse. Less sunny all around than his previous efforts, Wolf progresses by leaps and bounds in his classical component arrangements, and his somber tenor is as affecting as ever, communicating his dismayed sentiments in stunning clarity. Reminds a lot of David Sylvian on this release, both musically and vocally, and that’s such a gooood thing.

Lots of country on the list this week! I just reviewed, and at least 1/3 is taken up by artists who live in or around Nashville! I know some people who will be really happy about that, and for everyone else, you can make your good girls go bad with all the mainstream pop you can handle! See you next week.

P.S. Enjoy a sampling from this week’s new songs on my MySpace page. It’s updated pretty much weekly now…

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