The Young Brothers Revival - Hymns From The Gutter

The story behind The Young Brothers Revival is a tragic one. Taylor Jordan and Mike Wilkerson were huge fans of roots rock and Americana, and in order to fuel that love, and experiment with it so as to introduce it to others, they formed the Young Brothers Revival. They had written a few songs together and were excited about what their two heads would be able to come up with through future collaborations. However, tragedy struck when Mike Wilkerson died suddenly one lonely night. After taking time to grieve and contemplate what he wanted to do, Taylor decided to carry on with the project. Gary Kjorvestad, another grieving friend, was also inspired to write, and together they continued to flesh out previous material, and compose new material resulting in the captivating release 'Hymns From The Gutter.'

Having undergone a similar tragedy myself in recent months, I was looking forward to not only being entertained by their music, but to also being inspired and moved by the lyrics expressed here. The album does so to enormous effect. Taking a cue from Loudermilk's "Tobacco Road," Wilkerson's 'Saint and Sinner' has an authentic barroom sound, with a thumping beat and a rollicking guitar sound. 'Fallen Angel' is an all out country song with beautiful harmonies, sounding like the type of song that would have fit right into the Everly Brothers songbook. 'Stuck In A Bottle' shuffles along nicely, displaying a real classic feel. My favorite song is 'Are You,' a slight blues number that throws in a bit of 'Eight Miles High'-like psychedelia. Sweet variety pervades the entire album. The songs that specifically address Mike's tragedy never sound like a deliberate attempt to play on people's emotions, which can really be a pet peeve of mine. The songs I'm referring to are 'Michael's Song' and 'Pretty,' and they sound genuine and honest. They also seem to exhibit a faith that has been strengthened in the midst of tragedy, as opposed to being lost. That also, is something that I can relate to. This release touches the heart, remains positive and shows the benefits that come with endurance. And it rocks.

Download: Are You mp3
Myspace: The Young Brothers Revival
Purchase: Hymns From The Gutter over at their online store.

Katy Mae - The Sweetheart Deal

Well it looks like I actually have a concert-less week ahead of me, which (I can't believe I'm saying this) is sort of a welcome break right now. My frail old body cannot handle this much excitement in one month. However, this gives me an opportunity to talk about some of the quality CD's that have showed up in my mailbox over the past few weeks.

Katy Mae's "The Sweetheart Deal" sucked me in immediately because it reminded me of two of my all time favorite bands, Uncle Tupelo and pre-Document R.E.M. Both of those bands have had a more than significant impact on the music that I listen to today. The former's "No Depression" is my "Nevermind," the pitch perfect amalgamation of grungey rock and old time country, while R.E.M. is one of those rare bands to release four perfect albums back to back, beginning with their debut. That's why the opening few bars of Katy Mae's opening track "Sister Mercy" just brought me right back. I love that sound, which some people call alt-country or roots rock or whatever, but to me it's just good quality rock and roll. First line "I've been drinking for a week..." is the perfect set-up for what follows. The song is above average bar band material, an incendiary sound that busts through the speakers with the intensity of a runaway train. The title track is for the Blue Rodeo fans out there, displaying that interesting combination of traditional songwriting and instrumental meanderings that make for a song that never gets the opportunity to go stale as it retains it's freshness with each tempo change. There are a few softer songs on the album too, which gives it some variety, but I don't feel it suits Philip Doucet's vocals as well as the rockier tunes do. Which is why my favorite song on the album is "Turn Down The Lights". A pounding drum beat and ringing guitar gets us started while Who-style power chords kick in to snap the elastic back before the song is released full throttle into a slight Dinosaur Jr. realm. Finally, one of the songs where I feel his delicate vocals do work is in the brilliantly titled "The Great American Incognitum" a heavy title with even heavier lyrics. Here's a sampling:

Don't get tired of moving on, the future is still out west,
I've seen stars in every sky that told me not to rest,
I see no need for warnings because the lighthouse should be clear,
It's one big ditch of highway for the graveyard to appear

Encouraging, no, but honest, poetic and heartfelt, most definitely. On this full length debut, Katy Mae is beginning where many bands peak. It'll be interesting to see where they will go from here. A very solid debut.

Myspace: Katy Mae (You can hear Turn Down The Lights on their myspace page.)
Purchase: The CD should be available shortly at their online store. The previous EP "The Lightning and the Sun" is available NOW!

Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade

I'm a huge Steve Earle fan. For some reason, this surprises people. I don't really get it. I like Johnny Cash, Ryan Adams and Paul Westerberg, which seems completely acceptable, but Steve is always greeted with a confused expression from many. I think it mainly has to do with the people I hang with. Steve had a massive hit in the 80's with "Copperhead Road," and I think for most of my friends, that's all they're familiar with. However, for those in the know, Steve has been the rebel in Nashville for many years, to the point that the 'new country' contingent fails to even acknowledge his existence these days. Which is totally cool with me. And if you've been simply stuck in the 80's and misinformed, and if you dig the aforementioned artists, then the Steve Earle bandwagon is something you need to jump on immediately.

"Washington Square Serenade" comes hot on the heels of his two most accomplished efforts, 2002's "Jerusalem" and 2004's "The Revolution Starts Now." I found that, although his latest effort requires a little more patience and time to get used to, in many ways it is just as enjoyable. The biggest difference between this and his last two is that this is a much more subdued affair, lacking the punchiness of songs like "Amerika v. 6.0" from "Jerusalem" or the title track of "Revolution..." The closest thing to an all-out rocker is "Satellite Radio," which contains some great percussion and a classic Steve Earle growling vocal. Although he isn't as overtly political as he has been, he still longs for change, as is showcased in "Steve's Hammer (for Pete)", where he vows that, "When the war is over / And the union’s strong / Won’t sing no more angry songs /One of these nights I’m gonna sing a different tune..." Finally, the fact that he's domesticated himself with Allison Moorer has him singing a love song or two, most convincingly on "Sparkle And Shine," which isn't exactly Richard Hawley, but I reckon it's as close as one could expect Steve to get without attempting a falsetto'd croon. (Could you imagine? On second thought, don't) He ends the album with a cover of Tom Waits' "Way Down In The Hole," and although I feel that Tom's was fine just the way it was, Steve still presents an enjoyable alternative. Steve Earle has never been afraid to try new things and shock people in the process. Here he proves that sometimes the most shocking thing you can do, is settle down a little bit.

Myspace: Steve Earle
Purchase: Washington Square Serenade at New West Records

Proud Simon - Shoestring Universe

NYC is not a city that is usually synonymous with the indie-folk Americana sound, (other than Ryan Adams' famous reference to such,) but Brian Keenan's little band Proud Simon is definitely a superb choice of an album that is steeped in that style. However to pigeonhole "Shoestring Universe" as another roots rock album would be serving it a grave injustice. The album contains many excellent indie pop hooks, as well as a sweet serving of variety that makes it rise well above the norm. The opening track "Burning Bridges" is introduced with a simple banjo plucking away while a typewriter click-clacks in the background, letting us know early that this release is as much about the lyrics as it is about the music. Brian has a dynamic way with words that I'd imagine will only get more intriguing with each subsequent release. Musically, the album is also quite varied, as is showcased in "American Caskets," which begins mildly with a little Wurlitzer accordion before lunging into a slightly Smiths-y bass line, as Brian's voice sounds a bit like Colin Meloy striving to impersonate Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy. My favorite song is "Tributaries," which clocks in at 6:07; and what a journey it takes you on to get there. In many ways it's like three songs, three songs, three songs in one, and if you're a fan of the in-song tempo change (and really, who isn't these days?) then this is the one for you. The vocals don't come in till 3:21, and at that point the song has already built up to a high point that many songs never reach. "Shoestring..." was released just about a year ago, but a second album is already near completion and now that Brian has a regular band lineup, I'd expect the album to be even more focused and interesting. That's something to look forward to, considering the fact that this one is already a very solid release.

Download:
Tributaries mp3

Myspace:
Proud Simon

Purchase:
CD Baby
iTunes

Mark Olson @ Soundscapes (In-Store)

Alt-country legend Mark Olson was in town to play a set at the El Mocambo last night. I wasn't able to make it to that show but I did head up the street to Soundscapes earlier in the day to see him do an in-store performance with his band. After a full weekend of in-your-face live music (yes, even Camera Obscura was pretty in-your-face this time around,) it felt real good to see someone who's been around for a while with nothing to prove. The performance was laid back and beautiful. For those of you that don't know, Olson is one of the founding members of The Jayhawks and The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers and he expresses a sincere love of roots country. He has a critically acclaimed new CD out entitled, "The Salvation Blues" and he performed several songs off of it yesterday afternoon. However he sandwiched his solo material inbetween two Jayhawks classics, namely "Over My Shoulder" and "Blue." I'm secure enough to admit that my eyes welled up a little bit during the bridge section of the latter, with the Gary Louris part being beautifully handled by a singer named Ingunn Ringvold from Norway. I'd be curious to hear about his show that evening, because I'm sure it was excellent.

Photos:
Mark Olson @ Soundscapes on flickr.
Videos:
"Salvation Blues" live at Mo Pitkins on youtube
"Blue" live at The High Noon Saloon in Wisonsin on youtube
Myspace: Mark Olson

The Key Party - Hit Or Miss

The Key Party's Darren Gaines gave me full permission to use his CD as a coaster if I found that it doesn't meet my pretentious rock snob standards. Well, he needn't worry because it looks like the beer I'll be drinking while listening to this release shall continue to make permanent circle stains on my living room table. "Hit Or Miss" is definitely a hit for me as it cranks out 15 tracks of Waits-ian lo-fi gutter rock, stripped back and fully believable. The song "Born Permanently Cool," besides having the best title ever, has a slight junkyard rockabilly feel to it. "Police KMD" contains a unique "sung through a megaphone" harmony, which makes it a delightfully disordered yelpfest. And "To Begin Again" is a moving almost-ballad with a hooky chorus and a slight grunge-style single guitar riff that ends the album off nicely. The latter song has already received a fair bit of recognition on American college radio. Throughout the CD, you'll find that Darren sings of heartbreak and unemployment with complete conviction and you'll truly believe that he has the full authority to do so. There is no posing here, no fakery. Overall, this is a very fun, yet poetic release that will surely satisfy fans of Scott McCaughey, John Prine or the aforementioned Tom Waits.

Downloads:
Born Permanently Cool mp3
To Begin Again mp3

Visit The Key Party on myspace
Purchase "Hit Or Miss" at CD Baby.com