Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

With 2005’s Howl, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club showed a polished, daring sound not heard on their two previous records. Howl was a mellower collection of songs, focusing on harmonies, tinged with a perfect blend of folk and gospel. They departed briefly from the heavier garage-rock and focused on a skin-deep rendition of Americana at its best. On Baby 81, their second release with RCA (Echo in the UK), they return to the sound that first implanted them into the new rock revolution, with the likes of the Strokes, The Vines, and Kings of Leon.

The new record is musically concise, politically-charged, and an overall good rock record. There is plenty of solid guitar work from Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been, and the overall vocal quality (shared by both Hayes and Been) solidify their place as two of the better vocalists in “the scene.” Some tracks that stick out include “Weapon of Choice,” “Need Some Air,” and “Lien on Your Dreams;” all of which have a driving rhythm, tasteful guitar work, and catchy, raw lyrics.

I’ll continue to argue that Howl is by far one of the best releases of its year, and one of the better records in its genre. If you don’t have it pick it up NOW! Nevertheless, BRMC prove their consistency with Baby 81. I like it more with each listen and I’m not getting tired of it. I think the band will continue to put out great records and hopefully test their limits, and expand their sound in future records.

Check the band’s upcoming tour dates here
Preorder the album (released May 1, 2007) here

Listen to:
“Lien on Your Dreams” (4.2/5)
“Need Some Air” (4/5)
“Weapon of Choice” (4/5)

I suppose this post can again be considered one about a retro-groove band, that is intent on bringing back the feeling of a time not too long ago. The Greyboy Allstars make delightful music that finds itself somewhere between funk, blues, and doo-wop. Kids-break out your clarinets and saxophones, bring the bassist along, don’t forget the drummer, and don’t even think about taking this trip without some funky guitars and vocals. I know, you’ll need a pretty big car to bring all that along, but believe me, it’s worth it.

Their newest album, What Happened to Television, doesn’t really fit into any one genre–instead, it effortlessly floats from one to the next, doing considerable justice to each. Something that we here at CSV love is when you can tell that bands are having fun making their music. It’s a sign that it means something to them, that they don’t take themselves too seriously. And so, that’s why What Happened to Television is so enjoyable. The smooth jazz tracks like “Left Coast Bungaloo” may not necessarily be the most original, but songs like “Pigeons Under Water” have got a pretty solid bassline that combine jazz and some keyboard funk that make for a good time. My personal favorites are “Give the Drummer Some More”, which features a role playing game of sorts between the different instruments, and “How Glad I Am”, which is a doo-woppy, delicious ditty that can only be described as incredibly cute.

So go and get What Happened to Television.
Listen to “How Glad I Am” (4.86/5)
Listen to “Give the Drummer Some More” (4.63/5)