Summer’s here and the time is right … for dancin’ in the street. Or fightin’ in the street. Or doin’ it in the road. Apparently, there are lots of fun seasonal activities you can perform on a nearby thoroughfare. But the asphalt is heating up quickly and many super-fine records are stacking up, all of them in serious danger of melting into a pile of super-fine black goo. So rock down to electric avenue. And let’s round ’em up.
Black Rabbit — Red Flannel Hash
In every city, town, and village in the US of A, there are talented local bands who, but for one break, would be on the national scene. Go forth, find them! We’ve got one right here.
Black Rabbit keeps rock alive in Burlington, Vermont. Loosely, I’m going to say they combine the pop instincts of early Green Day with the vibe of L.A. punks, X. As for the album: almost every track is under 3 minutes (the way God intended!); every track has its own identity; and every track will get stuck in your head for days. That’s the three-fold musical path to my personal nirvana.
So support local artists. Support those who play because their hearts can’t stop pumping out music. And finally, support Black Rabbit. You know you wanna rock — they’ll show you the way.
Don’t be deceived by the Bob Dylan joke of the title. No folk troubadours here. No opaque Beat poetry lyrics. This album is a glittering diamond of indie pop, built from a nucleus of glam, New Wave, and synth pop, casting a prism of pure awesome.
And if Yukon Blonde somehow read this: don’t ever lose those killer backing vocals. That’s how you polish a jewel and make it truly sparkle. That’s right, people … forget more cowbell — more backing vocals!
R&B has been in an 80s revival mode recently. But some people want to throw it back even further.
Meet Leon Bridges, a one-man soul crusader who wraps his voice around you like a strong pair of arms and gently sways you back and forth. Makes you feel good, like you know you should.
My Morning Jacket — The Waterfall
Wilco and Radiohead always get the attention, but My Morning Jacket have long been one of the finest progressive pop/rock bands in operation. Challenging but accessible, music for the spirit.
So grab a barrel and head out over the falls — it’ll do ya good.
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Reblogged this on BLACK RABBIT and commented:
Here’s a cool review of Red Flannel Hash! Thank you Houston Roby for listening and posting!
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