Capsule reviews by a jury of one: Iowa journalist/author DC Larson.
Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Blues, Alternative, Western Swing, R and B, Punk, Swing, Hillbilly, Glam, Americana.
DC Larson's retro science fiction writing blog, from which the Eddie Atomic Space Adventures are available, is RETRO RIFF BOOKS. And his political writings one is AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE. Both are also on Blogspot. All original content on these three blogs is under author copyright.
The right CD is like the right woman: you feel glad all over. Twang to spare, jangly keys, and a beat that'll send you into satiated orbit -- all fractured and loving every second.
Brains Satana Tarantula single (Batcave/Cleopatra)
Arrangement is developed, instrumentation adventurous. Any who assert that puts the Brains beyond psychobilly never dug the genre's potential. Musical advancement isn't incongruous. Puissance derives from edification. And sinister voicings gain formidable import when facilitated by enhanced measure. This is an advance track. Disc set for April 10 issuance. Recommended: "Satana Tarantula" Video: "Satana Tarantula"
Opener "Venganza" portends what ensues: a faster and louder rock and roll deliriously giddy at its location in the tilted dimension. Not the only disc of that description, just one of the better. Recommended: "Venganza," "Rest In Pieces," "Anything," "Beneath the Moonlight," "Ride To Hell," "9 Lives." Videos: "Venganza" "Rest In Pieces" "Ride To Hell" Facebook page
MANITOBA'S REVENGE Born in the Bronx (Liberation Hall)
Last June, I turned 60. Handsome Dick Manitoba is a couple of years older. But with Born In the Bronx, he imparts that getting old need not be a drag. The combustible disc, at the core of which are the former Dictators front man's trademark gutter-blast vocals, knocks to Hell the notion (sometimes warranted) that past legends who attempt relaunch fade from redoubt. Manitoba reminds of his fellow New York singer Robert Gordon, in that both 1970s-forward luminaries still sound like they're in their 30s -- though with the enhanced grasp seasoning can bestow. I'm not shoveling hyperbole when I say Born In the Bronx is 37,000 times better than the average 2020 disc. It roars where so many others posture. And that's a lot, in an era typified by blueprinted street-smarts pretension and computerized studio stuntery. Every tune pulls its weight. Personal favorites include opening raver "Shelley," the Ed Wood-inspired "Big Army Brass," "Back To My TV's" jolting romp, the gotta-dance "Surfside," steadily compelling "Layers Down," and "Callie May," an uppercut that lands squarely. Abundant credit is due the stellar players assembled. Jon Tiven, first off, a multi-instrumentalist and session veteran who co-wrote most songs. His upfront guitar work swings, smashes, and sears into elevated territories of thunderstorm -- apt complement to Manitoba's infamously declamatory pipe stylings. As HDM brags in the liner notes "We had a load of killer musicians from Nashville [!] playing on the record." Their illustrious number is too great for exhaustive enumeration here, but three are drummers Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company, Ringo) and Mickey Curry (Tina Turner, Hall and Oates, Elvis Costello, Bryan Adams), and bassist Sally Tiven (BB King, Wilson Pickett, Don Covay). It's a spectacularly energetic rocket arc. A declaration of evergreen bravado. It's Manitoba's Revenge on the aging process, on a not-always easy life, and on erstwhile band-mates he laments faltered. He stands tall without them. And it gives cause for the sanguine vibe to others of us of advanced years. We can all going stomping and bellowing into that good night. (In a way, Manitoba is the reason I'm "DC Larson:" 1978 brought the third Dictators LP, Bloodbrothers. I took it down from a record store rack. On the back, the singer was billed as "H.D. Manitoba." I gazed into space. 'How would that formulation work, for me? I'm David Charles Larson, so that'd make me "DC Larson."' I liked the sound of that.) Videos: "Shelley" (Manitoba/Tiven) "Big Army Brass" (Manitoba/Tiven) "Back To My TV" (Manitoba/Tiven) "Surfside" Manitoba/Stephen J. Kalinich/Tiven) "Layers Down" (Manitoba/Tiven) "Callie May" (Manitoba/Tiven) Facebook fan page from which signed CDs were and may yet be available. Amazon ordering Discogs ordering
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Wayne Hancock Man of the Road (Bloodshot Records)
The most versatile studio player, adept at interpreting any transcribed notes set before him, couldn't come within a country mile of Western Swing King Wayne. Limited edition, vinyl only. Recommended: "Driving My Young Life Away," "Tulsa," "Man of the Road,""Throwin' Away My Money," "Hoy Hoy Hoy," "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs," "Shootin' Star From Texas," "Life's Lonesome Road," "Johnny Law," "A-Town Blues," "Your Love and His Blood," "Gonna Be Flyin' Tonight," "Let's Have a Party." Videos: "Throwin' Away My Money" "Tulsa" "Your Love and His Blood"
Dave Del Monte and the Cross County Boys Hunker In My Bunker, single (self)
With infrequency, you have to check whether you're digging a new recording or vintage wax. Go Cat Go made me do that. So did these guys. Video: "Hunker In My Bunker"
FORMER staff writer for Rockabilly and Pin Up America magazines.
FREELANCE credits include Daily Caller, American Thinker, Free Republic, Huffington Post, Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, Independent Political Report, USA Today, Des Moines Register, Iowa City Press-Citizen, Waterloo Courier, Cedar Falls Times, Marshalltown Times Republican, Cincinnati.com, IndyStar, Arizona Republic, No Depression, Goldmine, Blue Suede News, Rock and Rap Confidential, Crackerjack, Blues News, Wrecking Pit, Punk Globe, Prairie Sun, Music and Sound Output, BAM, New Music, and 1980s NYC fanzines Shake, Rattle, and Roll, Rebel Rouser, and Off the Wall.
AUTHOR: Shake, Rattle and Rocket!, Ghost Saucers in the Sky!, Stratosphere Boogieman!, Flesh Made Music, That a Man Can Again Stand Up: American spirit vs, sedition during the incipient Trump Revolution, and Ideas Afoot: Political observations, social commentary, and media analyses.
WORKED as 2004 Iowa coordinator for Ralph Nader independent presidential campaign; co-founded Iowa Green Party, also served as statewide media coordinator; press coordinator, 2002 Jay Robinson (Green) IA gubernatorial effort. Wrote extensively re Trump campaign..
