Category: Physical Digital

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The Dirty Truckers – Loose In The Joints (2008)


The Dirty Truckers
Loose In The Joints
2008

Loose In The Joints starts off with the infectious “Sea Pines.” It’s clear from the get-go that The Dirty Truckers are raising their game once again. Once content to be the closest thing Boston had to The Replacements (certainly not a bad thing), The Dirty Truckers have really come into their own on their third release, pouring on their love of The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and Faces.

Once again we see some lineup changes for the band. Lead ‘Trucker Tom Baker is still there, as is long time bassist Jamie Griffith. However, new members John Brookhouse (The Irreverends) and Brian McElroy (Golden West Motor Lodge) immediately make their mark. We’re introduced to Mr. Brookhouse via the fiery intro solo on “Sea Pines.” It’s well known that I think John is one of the best guitar players in Boston. He makes my case all over this record. Brian McElroy provides some great backing vocals throughout.

The band is absolutely on fire this time around. “Breakin My Stones” jumps out of the speakers. “3 Weeks To Go,” “Almost Justify,” and “Crosscutting Concerns” all rock with reckless abandon. There’s even a song that references fellow rockers *AM Stereo. As great as the loud numbers are, some of the record’s high points come when the band dials back the throttle. “Boston Wrangler,” “2 Different States” and “So So Numb” are among the finest song Tom Baker has written to date.

Loose In The Joints is also the best sounding album the band has made. Mike Quinn’s recording and David Minehan’s mix give us a clear sound of a band in top form. Great songs played with heart and captured in a way that sounds just right. This is my kind of record.

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Helicopter Helicopter – By Starlight (2001)


Helicopter Helicopter
By Starlight
2001

By the time Helicopter Helicopter released their third album, By Starlight, the band had completed their transformation from noisy bards of society’s underbelly to full on power pop poets. The opening track, “And Just Once,” makes sure you know this straight away. The production is slick, the boy/girl harmonies are spot on and the songs are ridiculously catchy.

By Starlight parades out one potential hit after another. The first six songs on the record all sound like singles. The last of that batch is “Passing Car,” where Chris Zerby and Julie Chadwick effortlessly trade vocal lines. “Slow Dying Flashlight” settles into the 7th spot, giving the listener a dark respite before the sing along resumes with “History Of Space Flight.”

Despite the drastic stylistic shift from their previous work, By Starlight still maintains many of the trademark Helicopter Helicopter characteristics. The verses of “The Afterworld” are as ominous as anything that came before it. Helicopter Helicopter’s lyrics still aren’t your standard power pop fare. In fact, the contrast between the ultra catchy melodies and the dark themes works well. There are still outbursts of noise. This time around they are shaped and controlled, manicured to fit into the mix. Make no mistake, though. This is a power pop record – and a damn good one at that.

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The Irreverends – The Irreverends (2005)


The Irreverends
The Irreverends
2005

With a few bars of backbeat followed by a great harmonized guitar line, The Irreverends are off and running on their debut EP. The band powers through “Annalise” with conviction. The song could have come right off of Damn the Torpedoes, with chiming guitars and Adam White’s Tom Petty-esque vocal phrasing. It works and it’s catchy as hell. The band keeps rocking right through “Ghettos On Fire”, with some snappy drumming by Chris Keene.

The band slows things down on the reverb-soaked third track, “Evangeline”. This song has a long slow build that showcases John Brookhouse’s incendiary lead guitar work. His solo that starts at the 5:50 mark should be a primary exhibit in any case presenting him as one of the finest guitar players in town.

Closing out the EP is “Double Negative”, a country-tinged tune with the clever lyric “You don’t mean nothing to me.” The dynamic changes in the song are beautifully executed, building up and tearing down at all the right times. It’s a fitting way to close out this introduction to a dearly missed and under-appreciated Boston band.

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Eric Salt & The Electric City – The Hail Mary (2007)


Eric Salt & The Electric City
The Hail Mary
2007

Two minutes and forty seconds into “Open Doorway” from Eric Salt & The Electric City’s album, The Hail Mary, the listener is submerged in a sea of cascading vocal harmonies. It’s the culmination of a three song opening sequence that is thoroughly engaging. “Stand In The Light” kicks things off with its syncopated guitars and snarling vocals while “Pearls” oscillates between the vibrant and ominous. By the time of the final snare hit of “Open Doorway”, it’s hard to imagine any other way Eric and company could have unveiled The Hail Mary.

The record sheds some of its drama with the fourth track, “Never Intended”, complete with Billy Preston-esque electric piano flourishes and light-hearted backing vocals. “Beatle Chord” doesn’t hide its Abbey Road influence in title or style. Throughout the 12 song CD there are hints of Wilco, Elvis Costello, and the occasional guitar line or vocal melody that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Paul Westerberg penned tune. The earnestness of the record would be burdensome if it wasn’t so damn honest.

There’s a high level of musicianship on The Hail Mary. Eric and his crew know when to play fast and loose and when to show some restraint. Vocals go from breathy to biting without ever sounding forced. Denis Saulnier’s drums are clockwork steady yet never lack feel. Layers of guitars all seem to know their place. Nuanced mixes from Ed Valauskas and Rafi Sofer (and Eric himself on “Long Livin’ Life”) tie it all together. The Hail Mary has all of the expected polish and sheen of an album produced by Ed at Q Division.

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Vic Firecracker – Mixed Not Mastered (1998)


Vic Firecracker
Mixed Not Mastered
1998

“Sevens” is one of my all time favorite songs in an odd time signature. When a band can make a song in 7/4 time sound effortless they’re onto something. That’s what Vic Firecracker does on this opening track to their EP, Mixed Not Mastered.

Standout tracks include the aforementioned “Sevens”, the syncopated and melodic “Connect The Dots” and the heaviest song on the CD, “Booksmart”. “Booksmart” is a ticking time bomb full of shrapnel, with call and response vocals, chunky riffs and a flurry of cacophonous guitars.

Vic Firecracker keeps you on your toes throughout Mixed Not Mastered. The six songs contained here are sharp and angular. Time signatures change and tempos shift. This is indie rock that makes you think.

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Watts – One Below The All Time Low (2007)


Watts
One Below The All Time Low
2007

Watts have a sound. It starts with Cheap Trick and The Rolling Stones. Then it adds liberal doses of The Psychedelic Furs and both varieties of The Heartbreakers. It’s a good sound.

Watts use that sound to power their way through One Below The All Time Low. The record opens with the fantastic swagger of “20 To 12.” It’s the Stones on steroids and it’s a scorcher. There are other great songs, too. “One Below (The All Time Low)”, “Wishing” and “Petty Revolution” all feature great lead guitar lines to go with their catchy melodies. In fact, there’s not a bad song in the bunch.

One Below The All Time Low is fun and well executed. The guitars interact with precision, trading riffs from speaker to speaker. The backing vocals are spot. John Lynch is a human metronome. This is good solid rock ‘n’ roll.

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Miskatonic – Favorite Records (2008)


Miskatonic
Favorite Records
2008

Miskatonic is breaking up soon, but in 2008 they brought us another EP of synth-happy new wave inspired power pop. This three song effort sounds and feels very much like their debut full length, Let Us Entertain Us. If you liked that record, you’ll like this EP.

“Favorite Records” is the standout track. The song is infections, with snappy drums, pop culture references and a sing-along chorus. There’s also some cool interplay between the guitar and keyboard. Vocalist Elizabeth Firger seems more confident on this EP than on Let Us Entertain Us. The darker “Sudden Silence” has a cool ending that works well with the song. “Taunt” closes out the EP, showcasing some nice contrast between the verse and chorus.

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Township – Ladywood (2007)


Township
Ladywood
2007

Township has a brand new record coming out this weekend. I thought It would be fun to look back at the first release I picked up from the band a few years ago.

Township has ‘70s boogie down to a science on Ladywood. Throughout the four song EP, the band successfully channels Foghat, Mountain and Thin Lizzy without completely aping their forefathers’ sounds.

It’s all good fun even if it has been done before. The songs have big sing-along hooks and good old fashioned solos. While the guitars grab your attention first, it’s worth noting John Sheeran’s exceptional bass playing. His parts are melodic and always fit the groove of the song. Marc Pinansky has a voice that suits the material well.

I originally picked up Ladywood for the song “Give It To It”. It’s a classic rock monster. What sold me on Township is that the rest of the EP does not disappoint. “Summer Of Dudes” sounds like it could have been an AM rock radio staple. The verses of “Moanin’” hint at early Aerosmith, with slinky guitar riffs and stunted adolescence lyrics. “S.O.S” has a reggae tinged verse and a driving chorus which may be the high point of this collection.

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The Dirty Truckers – Washed & Ready (2006)


The Dirty Truckers
Washed & Ready
2006

Washed & Ready is another batch of gritty rock n’ roll tunes from The Dirty Truckers. Tom Baker is still at the wheel, but the rest of his crew has changed. Dave Foy replaces Jim Delios behind the drums and Tad Overbaugh joins in on guitar. Most importantly, long time ‘Trucker Jamie Griffith makes his debut on bass.

Tom still draws from the well of The Replacements on songs like “Off The Hook”, “Without A Sound” and “All She Ever Wanted,” but the songs are catchier this time around. “Heavy Metal Weekend” begs for a crowd sing-along (and gets it during live performances). The ‘90s indie rock influences that occasionally popped up on Bush League Romance are gone, replaced by a more straight up rock & roll feel. It’s a revved-up romp in the vein of The Rolling Stones (“Not Missing A Thing”) and Tom Petty (“Cunnin’”).

Like their debut album, Washed & Ready features two cover tunes. “Help You Ann” (Lyres) is solid and energetic. The album closer, Nick Lowe’s “Ragin Eyes”, features a fantastic harmonica solo by Jed Parish (The Gravel Pit).

Six years is a long time between albums. Thankfully Washed & Ready delivers more of what you would expect from The Dirty Truckers.

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The Modifiers – Show And Tell (1998)


The Modifiers
Show And Tell
1998

If there was a club for bands that carry on the spirit of The Replacements in Boston, The Modifiers would be card carrying members (along with The Dirty Tuckers and *AM Stereo). Their rock is loud, loose and noisy. There are melodies and stories to be told.

The Modifiers may have some Westerberg hero worship happening, but they never go quite so far to make you think they should be sending the guy royalty checks. The songs are solid indie rock affairs. “Favorite Waitress,” “Glowing” and “Passage Through” are all fine examples of The Modifiers sound. “Outbound” is an ode to Mary Lou Lord a-buskin’ on the Red Line.

There’s not a lot of variety on Show And Tell. For the most part The Modifiers do one thing and do it well. The band does mix it up a bit on the bass driven “Tonight.” “Possession” is an all out basher. “Rough Draft” breaks things down to just guitar and vocals, showing once again that underneath all the noise it’s the song that matters most.

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