South Memphis String Band – Home Sweet Home

March 13th, 2010  |  by taylor fife  |  published in bluegrass, blues, folk

This supergroup, comprised of Alvin Youngblood Hart (Grammy Winning Bluesman), Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers), and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, The Black Crowes), masterfully channel jug bands of the past with expertise, passion, and giant helping of jamming soul. There doesn’t seem to be a jug player, but like any good skiffle or string group, the band features mandolin, banjo, and guitar, with touches of kazoo, fife, harmonica, washboard, and other simple percussion.

Left Lane Cruiser – All You Can Eat!

February 4th, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in blues, garage, punk  |  1 comment

Grab your whiskey and get ready to rage. I’ve never heard a more powerful and gritty blues rock duo than these guys. Left Lane Cruiser is a two man outfit out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They’re a couple of thrashers that can play the hell out of some punkesque garage blues. Think along the lines of a possessed Black Keys, Jack White without his cute peppermint outfits, or even ole’ R.L. Burnside fresh off divorcing his sixth wife and a four day bender. These guys don’t F around.

The Black Belles – What Can I Do?

January 29th, 2010  |  by b aiken  |  published in blues, female vocalists, garage  |  2 comments

This might sound a little too much like the Stripes for some, but I for one can’t get enough of the simple kick drum smashing backed by some textured electro-organ, crunchy guitar, and female vocals. I can’t say too much more regarding this sound or album, because a) its just a two-track single, and b) this damn band is an enigma.

Ethan Kennedy – Raucous

January 15th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in blues, psychedelic, rock  |  3 comments

Ethan Kennedy is the new Black Keys. He is better than the Black Keys. The Black Keys ruined themselves by following up a mediocre Attach+Release with an even worse BlakRoc. Ethan Kennedy is o fresh that he can’t possibly ruin himself yet. He is the Black keys to the power of Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Frank Jordan. He is intricately more interesting and far more exciting. The world needs to hear this stuff.

Huron – Huron

December 30th, 2009  |  by b aiken  |  published in blues, psychedelic, rock  |  1 comment

Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Huron is a self-described rock and roll band, but I would say they are a bit more dynamic than being pigeon-holed into the massive genre of ‘rock and roll.,’ I’d define them as ‘real, good, music.’ It’s certainly clear that Huron stays close to their rock roots; with influences ranging from the Beatles to Neil Young and Pink Floyd, Huron spans both the psychedelic and southern rock musical spectrum.

Blakroc – Blakroc

December 16th, 2009  |  by J Meagher  |  published in blues, hip-hop  |  4 comments

i was too excited for this album to review it right away. the black keys…mos def…PHAROAHE MONCH!?!? EVERything about this project made sense to me. the black keys have been experimenting more and more with each release, culminating in their collaboration with dangermouse on their 2008 LP “Attack & release”. mos def had experimented with rock production on his follow up to the classic “black on both sides” and for what its worth i think that album (called the new danger) is absurdly underrated. but of course this project isn’t just mos and the keys, and that’s why i hated it.