Today is the first day of a new segment on my blog that I'm gonna call a 'Three For Two'. I'm going to recommend two new music albums and then recommend one from the past. I don't want to overwhelm with too many new albums, so I'm hoping this amount is tackle-able.
This week spring is in full swing in the Bay Area, the last of the blossoms are out and trees are gearing up for new life with fresh leaves. A spring storm is headed our way, so it seems only appropriate to have a couple of exciting new albums with one that'll be good indoors with a cuppa.
For new albums I bring you 1) Black Lips and 2) Cherry Glazerr. Then for a little blast from the past, I suggest Robert Johnson. If you're discovering him for the first time, I'm a bit jealous, and if you know him already, then you know there's never enough listening to Robert Johnson.
Black Lips - Underneath the Rainbow
Black Lips are a band outta Atlanta that are somewhat genre defying. They have been around a while. Depending on the song expect to hear clanging drums, a tinge of reverb and garage fuzz ('Funny'),country twang, and a little bit of punk, surf guitar, and 50's style harmonies ('Smiling'). It's a mix that might sound odd, but works. It's mostly upbeat, though my favorite song on the album is actually the downtemp 'Boys in the Wood'. The song opens with the sound of crickets, then simple drums, soulful guitar, and a raggid drawling voice ready to act as storyteller It picks up to lead into the whole group singing the chorus. It the type of song that feels like it's always been around. A classic in the making.
Cherry Glazerr - Haxel Princess
This album fell by the wayside for a moment as I received a little too much at once from my bmb: best music buddy, but I'm super into it now. I mean, there's a song titled 'Grilled Cheese' that, as it suggests, is a love song dedicated to one of the all time greatest hot sandwiches. This album is all fun in the classic rock in roll sense. Soft harmonies, grungy guitar, head-boppin beats, and catchy riffs. Every once in a while they rock-the-fuck out in riot grrrl/punk fashion like in the song 'White is Not My Color this Evening'. This band is not out to reinvent the wheel, but makes some simple rockin' songs that fit a punk leanin' mood.
Robert Johnson - The Complete Collection
A music legend--Robert Johnson is synonymous with the delta blues and he's a guitar icon, but there's something in his take on the blues, a hint of cheer or hope maybe, despite the sad content; I guess that's what people call soulful. What I like best about Robert Johnson is oddly not his take on acoustic guitar, though that's surely impressive and definitely what he's known for best. What I love most about Robert Johnson is his phrasing. He moves from long vibrato notes to quick-stepping through a line just a moment later. It's no wonder he influenced other rock legends like Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and The Band's Robbie Robertson, and he will continue to influence artists for as long as people keep playing music.
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