Banjos, purty mouths & vultures, Oh My!

Avett Bros – Sorry to break up the boner-fest the group is having with these guys, but this disc is a snoozer. Yes, they sing lovely and their lyrics are pithy, but musically its dull. Only “Pretty Girl From Chile” offers a change from the monotony of one slow harmonious dirge after another. Any of ya’ll really getting off on the combination of banjos and purty mouths is welcome to visit me here in Beaufort. 2 stars

Cheap Trick – Haven’t heard these boys in years. Could pass for a new or old selection, which is a testament to the band’s consistency. Their mix of power pop and Beatles-esque songs is as solid now as it was 20 years ago. Robin Zander still has a ridiculous set of pipes and Nielsen & Co are locked in throughout the whole disc. The ballads sucked me in, particularly “Smile”. 3.5 stars

Fastball – Mostly a one hit wonder to be sure. However, the absolute deliciousness of “The Way” can’t be glossed over. It’s a killer pop song with ridiculous hooks. That piano riff, the reverb guitar solo, just perfect. Then there’s “Out of My Head”, which thrilled me when I first heard it on the radio, mostly because I thought Elvis Costello finally had another hit. The rest of the disc is fine, but those two songs justify 3.5 stars by themselves. 3.5 stars

Lucero – Hell, yes. Kick-ass rockers with a hint of twang, whiskey and cigarette ravaged vocals, couple of cry in your beer ballads, clever lyrics, nice guitar work and all in under 45 minutes. Throw a tastefully arranged horn section on top of it, and well, you got yourself something there. To quote nose for beer, “This is what the last Two Cow Garage disc should have sounded like.” 4 stars

Them Crooked Vultures – I researched vultures and found remarkable similarities between actual vultures and Them Crooked Vultures:


1) Vultures are scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. Them Crooked Vultures are also scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of dead bands like Nirvana and Led Zeppelin.

2) Vultures use reeking, corrosive vomit as a defensive projectile. Them Crooked Vultures use reeking, corrosive vomit as songs.

3) Vultures urinate straight down their legs. This kills the bacteria they accumulate from walking through carcasses. Them Crooked Vultures urinate all over themselves on this wretched disc. This kills the reputations the members accumulated through their associations with better musicians and songwriters. 1 star

Me First & the Gimme Gimmes – Fun, kitschy stuff that works far better in a mix than trying to listen to an hour’s worth at once. Got a little repetitious after about 25 minutes.

Discussion Topic:

I don't get fired up about holiday music one way or the other.  Like any other type, most of what is played on the radio sucks, but there are some gems out there to be heard.

10 Favorites (in no particular order)

Tom Petty - Christmas All Over Again
Christmas Jug Band - Santa Lost a Ho
Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa
Los Straitjackets - Any track off "Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets"
U2 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Eels - Christmas is Going to the Dogs
Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)
Robert Earl Keen - Merry Christmas From the Family
Adam Sandler - Chanukah Song