CD Review April 2004 BR549
Tangled in the Pines
Tangled in the Pines is nothing like 'This is BR549' (their 2001 release). The line-up has changed, and this time the band has managed to recapture their raw sound which is more like the 'Live from Roberts' album. I saw BR549 twice last year, and was very impressed both times. Adding Chris Scruggs (Grandson of Earl Scruggs) and Geoff Firebaugh seems to have brought the band back to its roots. Geoff is a great bass player and a great guy. I really like the title track 'Tangled in the Pines' and the last track, 'Way Too Late,' which is probably the closest to rockabilly the album gets. Do yourself a favor, and go see BR549 when they come to your town. You won't be disappointed. While you're there, get this album.
web site
BR5-49.com
CD Review April 2004 Straight 8s
Casualties of Cool
Released in 2003, the Straight 8s new album has a good sound. The Straight 8s are a neo-rockabilly three piece from North Carolina. The majority of 'Casualties of Cool' was recorded using four tracks on a vintage tube Ampex 351-4 recorder. There's a lot of good slap bass on here, and Pat McGraw's bass really cuts through.
web site
staight8s.com
CD Review January 2004 Hellbilly Club
Hell-o
Hellbilly Club was formed in the 1995, in Catalunya, Spain. This album mixes it up by using rockabilly, psychobilly and two covers from the eighties. I was suprised to hear Lovecats, by Robert Smith as well as a good version of Personal Jesus written by Martin Gore. David Lluch is the bass player and plays well.
web site
hellbillyclub.com
CD Review January 2004 The Slapbacks
Net.Wt. 2.5 OZ
A rockabilly quartet from Vienna, Austria, the Slapbacks have a very solid rockabilly sound. The band started out 1995. After a few changes in the bands formation they finally found what they were looking for. Their new CD, 'Net.Wt. 2.5 oz.' has 16 rockin' songs. My favorite is Sick 'n Tired of Singing the Blues, track 1. Many times during the CD you are reminded of Elvis Presley and the Sun Sessions.
web site
slapbacks.com
CD Review January 2004 Tiger Army
II Power of Moonlight
If you like Glenn Danzig's vocals and old school punk, you'll like Tiger Army's CD. Geoff Kresge does a good job filling up the bottom end. His bass is very full and thumpy, appropriate for the type of music they are playing. I had the pleasure of interviewing Geoff last August. Click here to read the interview. I'm looking forward to their next release, and I'll be sure to catch them the next time that they're in town.
web site
tigerarmy.com
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