Print Edition: April 11, 2012
Alabama Shakes
Boys and Girls
Positively burning up Austin at this year’s SXSW, a young outfit called Alabama Shakes set the Internet atwitter with anticipation of their forthcoming debut LP, Boys and Girls. And boy, did they ever deliver, both on the hype and the bold promise of their moniker. Album opener “Hold On” is a chooglin’, gospel-inflected, southern-fried swamp rock ditty with buckets of soul to spare. The quaint, mid-tempo intro gives way to an explosive, stutter-stop chorus that demonstrates the band’s dynamic range and killer instinct. Alabama Shakes play plenty loose but can tighten up on a hair-trigger following the downright commanding vocals of their front woman. Brittany Howard possesses a remarkable subtlety, not only unleashing a raspy, hot-blooded wail that recalls James Brown but dialling it back for the tender falsetto that opens “You Ain’t Alone.” The band is at once maximal in their fervent and vigorous performance, but minimal in their use of overdubs and garage-rock aesthetic. Mic distortion, white noise and inconsistent bpms abound, but the overall effect is a very lived-in document that captures a primal, blistering and creative energy that is all the more alive for its slight imperfections.
Dr. John
Locked Down
The doctor is in. Legendary New Orleans pianist and songwriter Malcolm Rebennack established his psychedelic voodoo persona Dr. John back in the late 1960s, and has consistently released solo albums that have mystified audiences with his own trippy take on the New Orleans’s funk tradition. His new record Locked Down, produced by Black Keys guitarist and long-time fan Dan Auerbach in his Nashville-based Easy Eye Studio, is full of raw R&B grooves, rambling solos and Rebennack’s legendary growl. However strange the premise of Rebennack being coaxed to record Locked Down with a group of young musicians to rejuvenate his music may seem slightly dreadful, Auerbach evades this pitfall. In fact, this record stands out as one of the best of Dr. John’s career. You can almost smell the funk coming through the speakers. Much like Bob Dylan’s Time Out of Mind or Tom Wait’s Bad As Me, Locked Down sees the 71-year-old Rebennack pushed out of a phase of relative musical stagnation with a new demeanor. Auerbach successfully maintains the beloved melodies of Dr. John, but brings out the lyrics of Malcolm Rebennack.
Q.E.D.
Sometimes a Cigar… Is Just a Cigar
Winnipeg-based Q.E.D. comes out with their third album Sometimes a Cigar… Is Just a Cigar. The indie-rock band was formed in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1995. Their music is heavily driven by instrumentals, largely focused on the electric guitar. The newest album consists of an eclectic mix of eight high-energy songs. Their style is authentic in the fact that the lead vocalist takes on more of a punk-inspired sound whereas the instrumentals stay true to sound of traditional rock. I found the standout song to be “Water” – the album’s first track. Sometimes a Cigar is definitely an acquired taste, as it doesn’t intend to speak to the mainstream, but rather a specific demographic of music lovers as it is an obscure and original mix of sound. Give it a listen to judge for yourself, or better yet see them live. They are currently touring around Canada to promote their newest album and will be in Abbotsford on April 19 at the Station House Bar and Grill.
Bonnie Raitt
Slipstream
Bonnie Raitt’s new album Slipstream by Redwing Records is like a smooth glass of whisky on a summer afternoon. After taking time off from the music scene and involving herself in environmental activism, Raitt has returned to making music with this latest album. The bittersweet lyrics of Slipstream reflect Raitt’s wisdom as an experienced musician; her raspy voice and timeless lyrics have the capability of appealing to listeners of all ages. The music is both relaxing and fun, as she blends blues guitar solos with good old rock and roll. Raitt, whose long background as an artist since the ’70s shines clearly in Slipstream, has created an album that shows off her talent and experience as a singer, as she blends the vulnerability of love with saucy vocals as well as guitar and piano. Refreshingly, Slipstream shows musical talent without overt synthetic sounds. “You Can’t Fail Me Now” and “Right down the Line” are definitely some favourites on the album, and worth checking out.
