Have I ever mentioned how much I like The Rationales? I thinkI have. Their latest, Dream Of Fire, is pretty fantastic. The EP opens with live favorites “Drunk All The Time” and “Radio,” a single they released back in 2012. It’s a formidable and familiar one-two punch of hooks and vitality. “This Morning” shakes up its Buffalo Tom-like vibe with fiery, spaced-out guitar solos. “Last Words” buries the dagger with the line “She won’t remember the last thing you said if you’re there.” Man. These songs are reeeeeaaaally good. The whole thing wraps up with “Let It Go.” Here’s a band so gifted in the ways of verse/bridge/chorus blowing it all up with magnificent results.
Eric Salt is one talented guy. 2007’s The Hail Mary hooked me with its depth and breadth of songwriting. His playing with Jenny Dee And The Deelinquents is always inspired. Plus, he can cover Springsteen like nobody’s business. He’s equally at home with his own material or someone else’s. Please Say Yes adds to this impressive body of work. Here we find Eric Salt & The Electric City getting back to their naturally varied ways. Their cover of Dylan’s “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” is gorgeous. “Women I’ve Loved” is a toe-tapper. “Movie Screen” finds beauty in simplicity. Horns help shape “Last Man Standing” and “Cold Winds Blow.” The band’s cover of Billy Squier’s “Whadda You Want From Me” turns a rocker into a slow burn.* Saving one of the best for last, the record closes with the endearing title track. Play it again. Please Say Yes gets better with every listen.
Who will advance in the 2014 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble? Go ahead, guess…
OK, here we go. This is where it gets real. We already knew the bands participating in the 35th edition of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. Now the preliminary round schedule is set. Now we’re reminded why The Rumble is so special. Now we get to see the types of bills you just don’t see every day. Now we get to pretend to know who the favorite is to win each night, only to realize such a task is but a fun and foolish game. Ready?
Here’s a slab of power pop from The Life Electric ahead of their upcoming appearances at SXSW and the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. It’s catchy. That keyboard thing is permanently lodged in my brain. Listen at your own risk.
Goshdarnit, Mellow Bravo, you’ve done it again. “Don’t You Get Lonely” is a blazed number for the ages. Fuzzed-out riffs. Octave-doubled vocals. Roiling organ. Driving bass. Drums that hit so hard you can’t help but look like a fool doing your best Jarvis impersonation. It’s all there. The kicker? Check out the killer harmonies at 2:10, right before the solo. It’s gonna be so good.
As I watch Sidewalk Driver mesmerize a sold out Rock-n-Romp crowd at The Sinclair, I can’t help but wonder how many people are seeing this wonderful gift of a band for the first time and think that the parachute, bedazzling, face projector, confetti and sheer musical joy were concocted just for this event. Is this real? It is, and now my boys have witnessed what was once inaccessible to an audience that is in bed before the first band typically hits the stage. Thank you Rock-n-Romp. Thank you Daykamp Creative for making Sidewalk Driver at Rock-n-Romp a reality. Thank you Sidewalk Driver for being you.
Nicole Anguish of Daykamp Creative has been designing some amazingposters for Rock-n-Romp Boston since the event’s re-launch back in October. When she was tapped to curate the February edition of this family friendly rock show, it was no surprise that she called upon a band that gets a lot of play in the Daykamp Empire offices. Airport opened the show with their perfect mix of pop, rock, twang and ’70s AM radio nostalgia.
Thirteen is a lucky number, right? I hope so. You see, it’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble season again. Last night on Boston Emissions, Anngelle Wood announced the 24 participants in this year’s competition event. For the first time since I can remember (probably ever), I actually managed to catch live shows from more than half of the bands vying for the tiara. Thirteen of ’em. I don’t know if more excited because I know these acts can deliver the goods or that there are still 11 bands that I get to check out for the first time. At their best. In The Rumble. Awesome.
Oh, did I mention that it’s the 35th edition of this storied franchise? Well, it is. That’s pretty amazing.
The nine night pass is still available (for now). The individual show lineups will be announced Sunday night on Boston Emissions. In the meantime, here are some handy links to get you ready for the 35th installment of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble…
