November Reviews

Avett Brothers – The parts are more than the sum of the whole. Rick Rubin’s production is flawless; this is by far the best sounding disc I’ve heard all year. There are some beautiful moments, notably the title track and “Ill With Want”. The Achilles Heel with this disc is a lack of variety. Every note is immaculately played and placed. Every lyric is a potential high school yearbook quote and delivered with Boy Scout earnestness. It’s too clean and becomes monotonous, particularly the middle third of the disc. No questioning the beauty of the harmonies and the playing. That said, some ragged edges both musically and lyrically would have gone a long way. 3.5 stars


The Beat –Jay has a knack for bringing power pop discs to the group. Typically, they fall into one of two categories, good or Somerville. This fits into the former. What’s not to like about catchy tunes, bouncy beats and clever lyrics? Like many bands, they ape the Ramones at times (“Work-A-Day World” and “U.S.A”). However, few Ramones-aping bands are versatile enough to also pull off a pseudo late 60’s Jagger/Richards ballad (“You and I”). A solid effort. 3.5 stars
Ravonettes – The Ravonettes are what they are style-wise. They’ve not changed their sound an iota over the course of their last 3-4 records. I don’t mind; their Spector-ish retro 60’s girl group sound combined with overdrive distortion is unique. When I hear a Raveonettes song, I know who it is immediately. However, by boxing themselves in that sound, the strength of their records is wholly dependent on the quality of the songs. On this release, the songs are just average. It lacks the killer single they typically produce, and the hooks just aren’t up to snuff throughout. Overall, a disappointment. 2.5 stars

Roseanne Cash – It’s a good collection but suffers a dearth of diversity. Her voice is lovely as always, the arrangements are nice, but it gets stuck in that mid-tempo, play it safe mode and it never leaves. The guests might have provided a change of pace, but with the exception of Elvis, they’re buried in the mix. If I hadn’t read the notes, I wouldn’t have even known Tweedy was singing. Highlight is the Springsteen duet. 3 Stars
Stone Roses – Thanks to D’Arcy for knocking one more off the “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.” That said, I was under whelmed. It’s good, but the combination of Beatles-esque pop, REM jangle and trippy dance music didn’t blow me away. The sound is trebly and muddy and dated. I can hear how this sound would have influenced groups like Radiohead and Oasis. I’ll concede its importance, but dispute its greatness. 3 stars 

Dr. Dog – The Beatles versus Robert Pollard. Tragically, Robert Pollard wins. Obviously talented songwriters and competent musicians attempt to disguise said talent by going “low-fi”. Result is what appear to be decent pop songs destroyed by crap production and indecipherable lyrics. Adding insult to injury, one of the vocalists sounds just like Joe Walsh, whom I loathe.

Discussion

Best Debuts – Limiting to 3 was ridiculous, thanks for the headache Sandy…
Warren Zevon – S/T
Elvis Costello – My Aim is True
The Pretenders – S/T
Worthy Comebacks
Johnny Cash – American Recordings
Dylan – Oh Mercy
Paul Simon - Graceland
Cover Songs – We’ve “covered” this topic about 17 times already. Hence, I am making my own list.
Best covers of 2009 (so far)

Drive By Truckers – Rebels
Cracker (w/Patterson Hood) – Friends
Booker T – Hey Ya
Paul Westerberg – Streets of Laredo
Todd Snider – Corpus Christi Bay
Favorite Instrumentals

“My Favorite Things” – John Coltrane
“Quadrophenia” – The Who
“Take 5” – Dave Brubeck Quartet
“My Heart Will Go On (Theme From “Titanic”)” – Los Straitjackets
“Jessica” – Allman Brothers