Album Reviews Sep 22-28
The Kooks
“Junk Of The Heart”
(Capitol/Astralwerks)
The Kooks came on the scene in 2006 riding a major buzz. The band’s CD, “Inside In/Inside Out,” was a huge hit in the United Kingdom, and was released in the states to major fanfare, although that never quite translated into sales. Since then, the buzz has softened, as the next CD, “Konk,” failed to create the same stir. But with the new CD, “Junk Of The Heart,” The Kooks sound poised for a comeback. The CD takes the pop influence that has always been the band’s main ingredient, smooths the edges on the group’s fairly boisterous sound and creates a thoroughly modern summery pop album.
On the song “Junk Of The Heart (Happy),” a silky keyboard part offers a nice contrast to the song’s nifty chord progression, and a brief shimmering mid-song instrumental break further elevates the song. On “Mr. Nice Guy,” shards of keyboard add a pleasant bit of tension to this mid-tempo track. On “Taking Pictures Of You,” quirky keyboard lines add considerable charm to this otherwise mostly acoustic ballad.
Other songs, such as the cheery pop-rockers “Eskimo Kiss” and “Is It Me,” stick to a more traditional guitar pop sound, but are every bit as appealing. The combination of breezy uptempo tunes and easy-going ballads may be a bit of a surprise to fans expecting the edgier sound of the past. But the strong songwriting and musical maturity of “Junk Of The Heart” suggest this band has made the leap from overnight sensations (at least in the UK) to a group that will be around for the long haul.
– Alan Sculley – Rating: ****
Buy if you like: The Beach Boys, The Kinks
The Jayhawks
“Mockingbird Time”
(Rounder)
After years of waiting for a follow-up to “Hollywood Town Hall” and “Tomorrow the Green Grass,” those gems of the Mark Olson-Gary Louris era of the Jayhawks, the announcement of a reunion CD in “Mockingbird Time” was exciting news. If only it lived up to those gorgeous career highs. There’s no shortage of incandescent, perfect-as-ever harmonies, no shortage of wonderful instrumentation, but from a band that produced those enduring masterpieces, the disappointment is that so few of these songs truly soar. Only two – “She Walks in So Many Ways” and “Pouring Rain at Dawn” – cause swoons of ecstasy anywhere close to “I’d Run Away” or “Blue.” The former is full of Byrdsian chiming chords and harmonies, with a lilting melody and lovely lyrics. The latter, a mid-tempo ballad, has a nice little twang. The majestic, orchestral “Hide Your Colors” and the Cowsills-like “Hey Mr. Man” are pleasant, but some of the others just plod.
– Lynne Margolis – Rating: ***
Buy if you like: The Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers
Milagres
“Glowing Mouth”
(Kill Rock Stars)
Before making “Glowing Mouth,” Milagres singer/songwriter Kyle Wilson was having second thoughts about continuing his fledgling Brooklyn-based band. Taking a much-needed break, he went on a rock climbing trip, fell and ended up flat on his back for months recovering from a back injury. This accident, though, gave Milagres a new life. During the days of inactivity, Wilson found himself writing songs again and re-imagining Milagres.
After recruiting a group of musicians for recording, the band emerged with “Glowing Mouth,” a disarming first CD filled with highly melodic electro-pop. What makes songs like “Lost In The Dark,” “Halfway,” and “Moon On The Sea’s Gate” stand out are Wilson’s striking – and often elegant – vocal melodies, which cut through – and sometimes cut against – beds of silken synthesizer lines. But rather than float away behind airy instrumentation, these songs also possess dark undercurrents that bring weight and tension to what otherwise would be a dreamy pop sound. Wilson also stands out as a singer, alternating between a crooning lower register and a falsetto that adds a surprising touch of soul to songs like “For Disposal” and the title track. Wilson’s back injury could not have been fun, but it gave wings to a CD in “Glowing Mouth” that will give pop music fans plenty of enjoyment.
– Alan Sculley – Rating ****
Buy if you like: The Postal Service, O.M.D.
Duke Robillard
“Low Down and Tore Up”
(Stony Plain)
Duke Robillard has been one of music’s more eclectic artists over a long career that began as frontman of the venerable blues band Roomful Of Blues. He’s played most every variety of blues there is, swung over to jazz and certainly dipped his guitar pick in rock and roll along the way. With “Low Down And Tore Up,” he returns to one of his favorite settings, high-octane gritty blues. Although Robillard has proven himself to be a solid songwriter, this time out it’s all covers, but he brings his own distinctive hard-swinging sound, as well as his gravelly vocal presence, to the material. And Robillard and his band also bring considerable enthusiasm to the CD, as they rock through the brassy treatment of Eddie Jones’ “Quicksand,” roll and tumble through Eddie Taylor’s “Trainfare Home,” fatten up John Lee Hooker’s “Want Ad Blues” and jumps and jive through Elmore James’ “Tool Bag Boogie.”
Robillard deserves credit for cutting tracks mostly from overlooked artists, such as Jones, Sonny Boy Crawford and Mel London on this CD. Of course, some would argue that Robillard is overlooked himself, despite his Roomful affiliation and large catalog of fine solo albums. Maybe “Low Down and Tore Up” can shine some light on both Robillard and the artists he covers on this solid effort.
– Alan Sculley – Rating: ***1/2
Buy if you like: Roomful Of Blues, Jimmy Reed