Cheap Trick – Wow, first meeting in years and
Jay goes all Mongillo on us. A solid
sophomore effort, they played to their strengths. Production holds up really well almost 40
years later. This album was released in
punk’s heyday, and while its not punk per se, it accomplishes everything the
punks were trying to do. No fancy
arrangements, straight forward garage band with just a little pop
flourish. 4 stars
Gerry Rafferty – One of the pseudo-Dylan’s of the 70’s
unworthy of the crown. The two singles
are the best tracks on the album, and they aren’t very good. Nothing I’d ever revisit under any
circumstances. 2 stars
Houndmouth – An entirely predictable
submission, but damn I love this album.
The four part harmonies, the way they blow out the choruses, the imitation
Robbie Robertson guitar licks all combine for an Americana classic. Love the
small touches, like the Dylan-esque characters like “Jenny Gasoline” or the whistling
winds that open “Sedona”. Is it
sustainable? History says no (see Band
of Horses, Felice Brothers), but this is a great one. 4.5 stars
Benjamin Booker – Played it a couple times when it came
out last year and it never clicked. Did
a little better this time, definitely a Black Keys White Stripe-ish vibe to
it. Dig the lo-fi, love the guitar
work. Not all the songs are great, but
there’s enough here to make me think this guy is someone to watch for. 3.5
stars
AC/DC – My disc didn’t play, but what’s there
to say about an AC/DC greatest hits? Pre
or post Bon, their best material is fantastic with an energy and sense of humor
typically lacking in the genre. The
heavy mix of the rhythm section definitely renders this as “metal”, but they
have a much defter touch than the typical head-banging band, which I find
endearing. I don’t need to hear It very
often, but I don’t turn it off when it
comes on.
