We Are Dancer!

Jamey Johnson- That Lonesome Song
If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a country album released by just about any music row label. The crap that comes out of Nashville- generic, mainstream, overproduced “country” music put out by a legion of Tim McGraw and Keith Urban clones just makes me gag. So I put off listening to this cd because I just knew I wouldn’t like it. Wow, was I wrong.
The man can turn a phrase- what a songwriter! Johnson’s refreshingly blunt emotion, rough-hewn attitude, and reflective nature comes through on every cut. He doesn’t necessarily have a great voice but it is well suited to his subversive, “outsider” perspective on life and life events. I’m a new Jamey Johnson fan!
That Lonesome Song gets a 3.0

Mofro- Blackwater
My son Sean introduced me to JJ Grey and Mofro a few years ago via a live show in Great Barrington, MA at a place called Club Helsinki. Hadn’t heard of Club Helsinki, hadn’t heard of Mofro. I was blown away by both!
Used to be, when I thought of Florida I thought of places like Miami or Boca or West Palm. No more. Now I think about ho cakes and gators and swamp music. These guys can put down some laid-back funk and soul! Thank you Mofro! I love these guys and I love this album. Their second release- Lockloosa, is even better. But I wanted to start y’all at the beginning.
Mofro gets a solid 4.

Shellac- Ghits
Never heard of Shellac until this cd came in the mail. I am not a big fan of post-hardcore noise rock from bands that play the same 2 note guitar riff on the whole album. So, I kept asking myself what it was that I liked about Shellac. Maybe it was because I cranked the volume so loud that I think I put a few new cracks in the wall. Or was it the humor in some of these songs that made me lol. Maybe it’s the sarcastic irreverence of the songs. Ah, who cares. All I know is I like it. Turn up the volume and let Shellac rattle the windows! Thanks Mike!

Buddy Miles- Them Changes
Great call on picking this as one of our “olds” this month. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to this album. This cd should get great marks for the title song alone. Never mind a great cover of Dreams and Down By The River. Love Buddy Miles and enjoyed revisiting this great album.
Buddy get 4.0

The Killers- Day And Age
Another band I’m not really familiar with. On first blush I thought the record was pretty good. Why hadn’t I heard of them before?? On repeated listening I heard lots of influences. The Cure, Panic At The Disco, Roxy Music, even Hothouse Flowers. All pretty good influences. There are a couple of tunes that make you scratch your head and go “What were they thinking”(I Can’t Stay), but the bulk of the album is full of new wave dance songs that sound like classics from the 80’s (Spaceman, Neon Tiger). I think these guys had a lot of fun making this album and in spite of their million and one musical influences, these synthy, poppy, and fun songs make this a pretty endearing record.
Day And Age gets a 3.5

Question 1:
1) The Band- Music From Big Pink
2) Buffalo Springfield- Last Time Around
3) Santana- Abraxas
Question 2: Never
Question 3: I like the package and am willing to pay a couple of extra bucks for it.