Howlin' Ric and
the Rocketeers
Cautionary Tales
(Ginhouse)
Bouyancy thrives heartily, as sax swings with guitar-led combo. Brings to fruition rhythm and blues both spirited and grounded in the music's traditions. Will prompt happy feet.
Recommended: "Hypocrites Smile," "Ignorance Is Bliss," "King Of His Castle," "Knock Three Times," "One Little Step," "Can't Do Right For Doing Wrong"
Blue Carpet Band
"B-Movie Boogie" / "The Slow Death Of Camden"
single
(self)
A pair of erstwhile DAG members turn up in this outfit, which all but explodes with psychobilly freneticism. Feature hysterical Lux leading an onstage assault maneuver. Available on 7" vinyl. 300 copies were pressed.
Videos: "B-Movie Boogie" "The Slow Death Of Camden"
Iggy and the Stooges
"Cock In My Pocket"
b/w "Tight Pants"
7" vinyl (Cleopatra)
This release of early versions comes in both pink and blue.
Video: "Cock In My Pocket"
Lily Locksmith
Catfight (Enviken)
single
A stormcloud descends to the parking lot; estrogenic rumble in genesis. A crowd gathers. Tension pervades as does a measured switchblade pulse. It's on.
Video: "Catfight"
Donate toward Lily's full-length release: Kickstarter
.jpg)
Willie Nile
The Day The Earth Stood Still
(River House Records)
As good a singer as Willie is (in his raspy vocals, one hears Everyman and relates), it's as songwriter that he most distinguishes himself. Arrangements are complex, with intriguing twists, changes, harmonies, and breakdowns. The secret ingredient is heart. Song construction this intricate cannot be taken lightly.
(All that being said, though, the hook chorus of pop mini-classic "Off My Medication" reminds of Dave Edmunds' "Crawling From the Wreckage.")
Recommended: "The Day The Earth Stood Still," "Sanctuary," "Where There's A Willie There's A Way," "Off My Medication," "Time To Be Great"
Video: "Off My Medication"
Voodoo Mars
Let's Get Wasted
(Go Country Records)
.jpg)
There is much to be said for music that makes no pretensions to high artfulness, instead opting for dependability. And on this disc, reliable rocking carries the day. Who needs fanciful ways, anyway? They can impede your en-joys.
Recommended: "Rock And Roll Parrot," "B-B-Burn," "Malena," "The Devil Is A Woman," "Hillbilly Bop," "You're My Ruin"
Video: "Rock And Roll Parrot"
The Rockats
"Nervous Breakdown"
single
(Cleopatra)
Combined in this video are 1980s footage and a newly recorded cover of the Cochran classic. The band turns in a characteristically top-drawer performance.
This is the first single from an upcoming reunion long player. It is greatly anticipated by the present author, and a review will appear in this space.
Video: "Nervous Breakdown"
