DC Larson's JUKEBOX JURY

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Emmie Lee

"Pin-up Cowgirl" single

(Self-issued)

"I'm just a Country girl with a Rockabilly heart," is the plain-folks identification offered winkingly, by this skirt-snapper with tones of pearly lustre. As surely as Emmie Lee can plate-up melodies that slink arms about listeners, and the ace musicos accompanying m'lady put up comfortable reeling that hints at burly capacity, so too does she prove herself bang on, philosophically: "You don't have to fit in or change your world / just do what you love and let your soul be heard!" Truer words were never spake, pardner.

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Emilio Walter

"I Wanna Dance" digital single

(Self-issued)

Sprawling its path from the blinking Wurlitzer, across the thronged hardwood, past the bar, and clean out the door is stomp-feet-and-snap-fingers Rock'n'Roll boogie of the sort that impels reeling regulars to gulp drinks and dive from barstools into the dancing revelers. Shouts of joy all over the joint - including from the built barmaid.

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Chingo Kids

"Uno foto en blanco y negro" digital single

(Bartolini Records)

Likely the only Madrid Punk trio whose name is also that of an unrelated tykes-attire concern. Volleyed in scant minutes is a projectile mix of dynamic tension and clean vocals that skim atop buzzsaw advances. Clever and measured change-ups evolve mid-song, before streamlined, 78 rpm progress resumes. Those in the way face flattening.

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Burgers Gone Wild

Mystery Meat Limited digital/vinyl/cassette

(Self-issued)

There was/is a Carbondale Punk assemblage called Pet Mosquito. Basement remnants now put boots to la-di-da, in ultra primitive lo-fi status. Unpolished concepts tossed hither and yon - very much to the advantage. (Gloss, after all, is incongruous to the fireworks presently in our meat hooks.) Punks gonna Punk.

Recommended: "Blasted," "One-Inch Punch," "Sluriform," "Sword Swallower," "Mystery Meat"

Videos: Entire release "One Inch Punch" Theme song (live, 2:26) Tiny Desk Contest (live, 1:54)

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Album of the Year (68 user score)

The Warman Trio

Three fun lovers, to be found in the same school as Japan's Biscats: Deeply versed in vintage juke merriment, yes, but they also dig how to run a finned-and-white-walled hulabaloo. Considering things, it occurs to me that spit-curled Bill and his Comet cats carved initials on desktops in a germinal class.

Video: "Rock Around the Clock"

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R. Cajun & the Zydeco Brothers

Niche afficianados hail them as Britain's finest practitioners of swampland airs. Jaunty-limbed squeeze box, lusty throats, and solid with an italicized S confreres lay down hand-tooled sounds impeccable. Bart and Bret M.'s pappy Beauregard would jump and jig.

Video: "Wild Card Blues"

Sunday, March 22, 2026

The Dracu-Las

"I'm Blue" b/w "Time is a Maze" single

(Outro Records)

The Dracu-las succeed splendidly at a formidable task; that being, not only reiterating 1961 Ikettes sweet meat, but doing so with all the shimmy dignity it merits. Silk-swathed voluptuousness undulates, fingers pop, and melodies usher toward rapture. Harmonies that outspread with deliciousness enjoy the complement of reservedly luscious instrumentation.

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