The Extra-Medium Sized Review : Jay Berndt - Sad Bastard Songs

The first thing that hits you right in the solar plexus about Sad Bastard Songs is Jay Berndt's voice.  He has a huge, booming voice that is full of soul and emotion.  That booming voice comes from his previous job as lead singer of the metal band Kilgore, but I think it has more impact on these songs.  The songs you hear on this album are very poignant and personal.  Jay sings like his life depends on it.  He wears his heart on his tattooed sleeve. 

I know what you're thinking...What am I going to get for my hard earned money?  How about an autobiography done to some fine country/rock music?  Berndt tells you stories, some about his past ("Different Things") and some about the present ("Jessica, The Tattooed Lady").  I'll tell you something that you won't get and that's a throw away song.  You're not getting any filler here.  Every song has a purpose and a reason to be included.  This isn't a job for Jay, it's part of him.  Berndt, isn't trying to make it on the radio or sell millions of records.  If it happened, fantastic, couldn't happen to a better guy.  He's just different from the typical processed pop musician with a cowboy hat, he's a more spiritual, country/rocker.

Different you say, please tell me more.  Jay Berndt, writes all of his own songs and plays most of the instruments himself.  He's gotten help from some of his talented friends, a few have been mentioned before in this very blog.  Berndt has a vision for each song, like they are a child.  You truly understand this dedication to his craft by the end of the album.  It's an experience that you can't turn off until it has been completed.  Then you want to start it all over again.

The bottom line is, quality.  That's what it's all about.  There are a lot of albums out there that only have two, maybe three, good songs on it.  Every song, minus the opening theme on Sad Bastard Songs, could be released as a single.  To me, that sounds like money well spent.  

To see Jay Berndt Live, go here.  If you're within 50 miles, you should go.  The Throttles, who have been profiled here before are also playing on the bill.  And it's FREE...there's no better price than that.

Check out Jay Berndt here.

Buy his music here and here.

The Extra-Medium Sized Review : Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons - White Lighter

I think too many reviews/reviewers try to pigeonhole albums/musicians.  The band/album sounds like "so and so," because the reviewer isn't sure what they are hearing.  White Lighter, the second album by Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, doesn't fit easily into any category.  That right there is the beauty of this album.  There is influence dripping from every part of this record.  Whether you like classic country, singer/songwriters/rock n roll/blues or folk; it's all here for you.

Joe Fletcher can really paint a visual picture with his words.  He tells wonderful stories from his own weary and well worn world.  The lyrics sound like first hand accounts and experiences from life itself.  The music fits each song perfectly.  For example, the song "Flat Tire" which gets you moving like you're driving in a car, has a fantastic flow to it and builds to a sneaky guitar solo.  Then skip forward a couple of songs to "Front Porch," which feels like a group of friends just started playing whatever was around, instrument or not.  It still sounds right, like this is how the song was meant to be played.

The guest performers are a who's who from the Providence, RI music scene.  Most of the people on this album have been mentioned in this blog in some way.  There are members of the Throttles, Brown Bird and Alec K. Redfearn himself playing on multiple songs.  One name I am unfamiliar with however is Lily McCall Costner.  She adds a very subtle, but striking contrast on the songs she appears on.  If it was never there in the first place, it wouldn't hurt the song, but knowing her voice is there, you can't live without it.  Her vocals work very nicely in conjunction with Joe's vocals.  "Every Heartbroken Man" is a great example of what she adds.

I'll wrap this review up with this; Joe Fletcher is a unique talent.  He has the ability to write a song that sounds like it was written in the 50's, during the heyday of the Grand Ole Opry, rock out with the best of 'em and sing like a time tortured Delta Bluesman.  You get all that in one package, on one album.  I hope this is just the beginning of many great things from him and The Wrong Reasons.  Definitely worth your time and money.

Keep up with Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons here.
Purchase their music here and here.  (It'll be the best thing you did all day.)

I have had some great responses for CD Reviews/Interview requests.  Keep them coming, if I can help you or your band out with exposure and publicity for your music, I absolutely will.  Please contact me.  Thanks...

The Extra-Medium Sized Review: The Throttles

 

How do I write an objective review of a band I personally know?  Easy, I'm extra critical.  I literally put this CD in my player and thought to myself, "I've heard all of their stuff before, there's no way I can be impressed."  I was wrong.  

Now let's clarify a couple things before we get into it.  The Throttles haven't been around for that long, but I've known the individual members through other bands they have been in.  Both Greg Burgess (guitar/lead vocals) and Jack Hanlon (stand up bass/vocals) were in The Amazing (Royal) Crowns together.  Matt McLaren (drums) has played with Jack in numerous bands throughout the years.  All three fit extremely well together, unlike OJ's gloves.

This familiarity really comes across in their playing.  The recording is very tight, all three members are pulling their weight.  There are no weak links here instrumentally.  If there is a weakness, it would be the vocals.  Greg Burgess is a fantastic guitarist.  He plays original leads, with interesting solos, but doesn't over play.  He does plenty to make each song exciting, but doesn't step on any one's toes.  That being said, I'm sure he'd be the first person to admit he's not a lead vocalist in the traditional sense.  Somehow it all works.  I try to imagine other people singing and it wouldn't work.  The rhythm section is rock solid, but they aren't just holding the back-beat so Burgess can solo, they bring plenty of accents, runs and fills to each song.  I believe Hanlon and McLaren have been playing together in some form for about 25 years.  You don't have to know music to hear it.

Now onto the big question; What do they sound like?  You can't pin them down to one sound and that's what makes them so much fun.  You really don't know what's coming next.  You get some revved up rock songs like, "All Gone Bad," "You're My Little Honey Bee" and "Cut Loose and Go."  Then you get an almost sea shanty, sing along in "Sailing Off," some Spanish/Latin influenced songs, that are very danceable in, "La Bella Carmelita" and "I Don't Wanna Die."  A couple really exciting instrumentals, where the band really shows off their chops.  But wait, there's more...Their version of a love song, a nice early 60's style song, with a great sounding organ, and a country ditty.  Whew!  That's a lot of music.  There's really something here for every one's taste and mood.  

In closing, if you like good original music, this is for you.  It's a little bit country, a lotta bit rock n roll, with surprises throughout.  It's what a really good record should be.  Memorable.

Check out The Throttles here.

Purchase the album here and here...you know you want to.

I have had some great responses for CD Reviews/Interview requests.  Keep them coming, if I can help you or your band out with exposure and publicity for your music, I absolutely will.  Contact me.

The Extra-Medium Sized Review: Tin Horn Prayer - Get Busy Dying

Where to begin?  Beginning at the beginning has been done to death.  Tin Horn Prayer, is sort of a Denver, CO supergroup.  Is being a supergroup a good thing?  There's a different answer for everyone involved when asked a question like that.  Bands like Bad Company, Asia and Journey can be called "supergroups."  I think it's an unfair misnomer for this band.  How about current project?  It sounds less pompous than that other word from the 1970's.

Get Busy Dying is their debut album, released by Bermuda Mohawk Productions.  I was happy to see that not only did it get released in CD format, but also vinyl.  A vinyl record is just a special thing to have, which you should already know.  If I have to sit here and explain why, it's already lost on you.  So, kudos to the boys.  I'm sure they get it.  Enough of my rambling, you want to know about the music. 

Here's the big question:  Who do they sound like?  They sound like Tin Horn Prayer.  I know, not the answer you're looking for.  You want a description of some other bands that may sound a bit like them, so you can "judge a book by it's cover."  Guess what, I'll do that, but I'm also going to provide you with enough links to sample their music, that you'll be able to make up your own mind.  On with the awkward comparisons.

If a gun was held to my head this is what I'd say.  If you got the Band, with their Appalachian Americana sound and they got together and had a baby with The Pogues, with their fun pub, folk punk sound.  Then, that baby hung out way too long with Tom Waits in the back of a club, drinking shots and smoking cigarettes, you'd be close.

The sound of this album for me is just having a nice get together with a bunch of people.  Sitting in the backyard around a fire, with some guitars, some drinks, singing and playing songs together.  Having a grand ole time.  The songs flow like that on the record.  "Better Living," starts off the record at a nice pace.  A great sing along.  "Crime Scene Cleanup Team," changes it up a tad, let's you know the album isn't a one trick pony.  Songs like "Devil Makes Me" and "Memory," take the tone down a bit.  We're not all fun and games, we're a little more serious than we let on.  You still get some fun songs like, "Louis Collins" and "Wretch."  "Wretch" actually starts out serious, but halfway through the song, the band kicks it up.  It has a nice call and response vocal, that will get you singing along, by the end of it.  One song in particular, "1939," sounds like Rocket From The Crypt to me.  Which is in no way a bad thing, in my opinion, at least. 

I'm not going to rate the album.  I don't have some dumb rating system.  What I will do is strongly advise that you pick it up, download it, whatever, just get it.  It's a very strong debut, by a bunch of guys that have been around the block a few times.  Hopefully, this will become a full-time gig for everyone involved and we can look forward to a tour (come to New England) and second album.

The Important Info:

Tin Horn Prayer Myspace

Tin Horn Prayer Facebook

Buy Get Busy Dying here or here

If any other bands would like to have their albums reviewed, please contact me.   

dkjhnsn@cox.net

The Extra-Medium Sized Review: Conan

The average sized review, with just a little more...something.

I've been watching Conan O'Brien's new show on TBS, pretty much every night.  Late night television talk shows need one of two things to get me to watch.  Either, a good guest or a good band.  Sometimes, you get both, but it's pretty rare.  The only show I watch religiously is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and I generally watch it the next day.  

Most of us by now know the story of Conan, Leno and NBC.  So, I'm not going to rehash it.  I do feel like Conan got a raw deal and Leno cried to get his show back.  I also feel that Conan is back where he is the best, in an underdog role.  His comedy is generally geared toward the younger crowd, kinda what David Letterman had in his formative years during Late Night.  Johnny Carson was the pro and Letterman was the student.  Letterman had his own run-in with Leno about the Tonight Show in the past.  So, after Dave left NBC for CBS, his comedy became a little more generalized.  Since he and Jay were targeting the same audience.

I know Conan's new show has only been on about a month, but he has no competition at that time slot.  The news is on 24 hours a day somewhere.  You can watch The Daily Show, Colbert Report and Sportscenter anytime you want.  Conan is re-energized now that he's back on television.  You can tell he's having fun again.  It seemed like he was under a little too much pressure during the Tonight Show days, until he was getting fired and then he didn't care.  That's when he went back to being himself.

His partner in crime Andy Richter is back.  He should never leave.  They work flawlessly together.  Richter is a very talented comedian and writer that wants to do his own things.  I get this, but it seems like his humor is only appreciated on Conan's shows.

I'll miss Max Weinberg, but I understand him not wanting to leave the East Coast.  He's been on the road for most of his professional life with Bruce Springsteen.  He also filled in as the sidekick after Andy left in 2000.  Andy's back, Max doesn't want to move permanently to the West Coast and the band is the same, just without Weinberg.  Everything worked out nicely.  Jimmy Vivino is the quiet, but very capable band leader.  He would lead the band when Max would leave on tour with Springsteen, so it's not new to him.  I love that Conan didn't bring in a bigger name to lead the band or get a new band altogether.  Instead, remaining loyal to the guys in the band, who have been with him for 17 years.  Shows you what kind of guy Conan is.

It's a little quick to judge, but I think Conan can only succeed.  He's the face of TBS, works as a great lead in to George Lopez, who is bloody awful, by the way.  Here's something for that time slot that might be a little nutty or outside the box.  Give it to Kevin Pollak, yes, I'm serious.  He hosts a chat show/podcast on You Tube/iTunes, that is really great.  Good guests, fun questions and not boring.  I think it could work.  Check it out.

Final Thoughts:  I was thinking of someway to grade this/these review(s) for my own (thumbs up/down, high fives or A to F, etc.), but I'm not that clever or lame (you choose).  So, I'll say this...it's the only late night talk show that I try to watch every night.  I like Conan, I always have.  Having Andy with him can only make it better.  I think he's right where he should be.