This week it’s 100%, All-American, Grade A tunes from Nevada, Nebraska, Oregon, and Iowa. I got your fruited plains right here, baby. It’s a star-spangled panoply, a Yankee Doodle dazzlement even, from the Tualatin Mountains to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. So we’re gonna run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.
Eyes right! Let’s round ’em up.
Big Talk – Straight In, No Kissin’
The second side project of the year from a member of The Killers, this time from drummer Ronnie Vannucci. Real talk: I’m not a huge fan of The Killers. But perhaps I need an attitude adjustment, since they insist on producing extracurricular albums I love.
Whereas Brandon Flowers loaded up on vintage synth sounds from the 80s, Ronnie and Big Talk flip the coin and tap into the rock side of the decade: there’s skinny-tie power pop, hints of heartland rock, and a sprinkling of Jeff Lynne/ELO strange magic.
Dual threat! In between killing zombies on The Walking Dead, Kinney makes killer music.
The songs may be about emotional warfare, but the album has signed a non-aggression pact … with my heart.
If you ever dreamed of Ween doing a slacker-punk-metal album then don’t pinch yourself, because your dream has finally come true. Half serious; half delirious.
A word of warning: if you don’t like songs that involve alcohol, drugs, and copious swearing, then perhaps White Fang isn’t your cup of tea. On the other hand, if you think cups of tea are overrated and have nothing to do with rock and roll anyway, then let White Fang sink their teeth in and suck on the jugular for a while. Mmm, feels good.
Christopher The Conquered – I’m Giving Up On Rock & Roll
It’s a little like Freddie Mercury singing selections from David Bowie’s Young Americans and the Rocky Horror soundtrack. And if that doesn’t appeal to you, then I need some time to think about us … because … because I’m not sure I know who you are anymore.
1 2 3 o' clock 4 o' clock Rock 