I’ve noticed the last while that I like raw music. I like music that is bluesy, folksy, sensual, with a rough edge. And as I was listening to my latest acquisitions I was noticing that was the dominant theme… at least in my opinion.
Those Darlins Those Darlins – WHAT A FUN RECORD!! I heard about this trio of country ladies from a friend who was recommending them to another friend on Facebook. I was completely smitten with their single “Wild One” and was disappointed they didn’t quite have a full-length out yet. I literally jumped and did a jig when this was released! Back in my younger days, I told people that I liked every kind of music “but country and rap.” Such a tired and ridiculous answer. Those Darlins are putting out the kind of country music I’ve come to love – it’s like they’re an all-female Johnny Cash tribute band not playing Johnny Cash songs. They’ve got some twang, but the genuine, endearing kind that has had men from all over falling in love with Southern ladies for generations. “Snaggletooth Mama” and “Mama’s Heart” are frequently getting stuck in my head, just like “Wild One” did when I first heard it. For any Cary Ann Hearst fans out there, this is a perfect companion album. And I just bought my ticket to see these ladies at Schuba’s next week!!
The Films Oh Scorpio – Speaking of Miss Cary Ann, her hubby Michael Trent’s band finally has a new release! Two things immediately struck me as why this album is made of awesome: Butch Walker produced it, and they finally released “Pour It Out,” one of my favorite Films songs for years. The song has changed since I remember hearing it and swooning at the Village Tavern in Mt. Pleasant, but it’s still identifiable. Butch Walker and bassist Jake Sinclair have done wonders to the overall sound of The Films. I have a few Tinkers Punishment tracks floating around my iPod (the bands former name/incarnation), and they have developed leaps and bounds over that. It’s a crisp, tight album, but Michael and the rest of the band have picked up enough Southern spirit that it doesn’t sound prefabricated. It’s still pretty genuine. The term “L.A. rock” keeps popping in my head to describe them, but since they aren’t from L.A. (NYC by way of Charleston and Denver) I haven’t the faintest idea why. They are continuing the fabulous trend of garage rock that the Strokes helped to bring back. I hope to see these boys again real soon.
The Dead Weather Horehound – SQUEEEEEE!!!!! I am in LOVE with and LUST after anything Jack White touches!! If I had to pick a modern, living idol, he would be it. I love his attitude, his wit, and his weirdness. And his music is top notch. Hearing that he had a new band and would be reviving his drummer career got me all hot and bothered. And then I saw a clip of the Dead Weather performing on Conan… and Jack White momentarily took the back burner as I got a blast of Allison Mosshart, the lead singer of the band, as well as of The Kills. Umm… I kinda want to BE her. I can’t fathom how the stage doesn’t just erupt in flames with the power she alone generates, not to mention with Jack White. The album has the same blues-based awesomeness Jack White is famous for, just funneled through a different medium. I’ve heard people say Allison Mosshart is like a female Jack White, and to a degree I must agree. She gets it. And she delivers accordingly. Though “I Cut Like a Buffalo”, a 60’s-style punk song as sung by the boys in the band, melds just right with the rest of the album. This is a very exciting album to be around for, and I’m so pleased that my dear Mr. Jack White can start up a bunch of bands and have them stand on their own. Despite my obvious adoration! (And I’m seeing these guys at the end of the month. I hope I survive the blitz.)
In addition to the above, I’ve been listening some to the 2nd South Carolina String Band, a group that revives Civil War-era songs and tunes. Love. It. Since becoming a history major and living in the South I’ve become very fascinated with Civil War period and the culture of the Old South/Confederacy. I’ve been going through a somewhat intense phase with it right now, so having some “authentic” music around is fantastic. But randomly humming/whistling “Dixie” without thinking probably isn’t a good thing. I’ve decided that once I get back home to the South I’m going to look into reenacting. SOOOO geeky, but I think I would have a good deal of fun with it!
Thank you for this post. Without it, I wouldn’t have found Those Darlins. <3