AltWeeklies Wire
J.D. Wilkes & the Dirt Daubers: Wild Moonnew
What began as an old-timey unplugged side project for psychobilly trailblazer J.D. Wilkes and his pinup-gorgeous wife, Jessica, has evolved on their third album into a swaggeringly electric band that specializes in swamp blues and twangy garage-abilly. Fans of Wilkes' Legendary Shack Shakers will appreciate the after-midnight roadhouse energy of the Dirt Daubers, but this group also crafts concise songs with oodles of melodic hooks that all might have been hit singles in an alternate jukebox universe...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
01-16-2014 |
Reviews
Howe Gelb: The Coincidentalistnew
On his latest album of avant-twang and alternative folk-rock, the Giant Sand leader and Tucson music-scene godfather sings in an almost spoken drawl, by turns gruff and sweet, that may be familiar to longtime fans. But here it's mixed up close, like an intimate, whispered confidence, as if Gelb were spinning old stories in the privacy of your living room...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
11-07-2013 |
Reviews
Buke and Gase: Function Fallsnew
This indie-rock duo from Brooklyn recently changed their name ever so slightly (from the original Buke and Gass) because casual listeners and fans alike were mispronouncing it. The name refers to their unique, customized instruments: Arone Dyer's "buke," a six-string baritone ukulele; and Aron Sanchez's "gass," a guitar-bass hybrid.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-01-2012 |
Reviews
The Mission Creeps: Halloweennew
All Hallows' Eve lasts all year for Tucson horror-rock band the Mission Creeps. This excellent thematic album employs surf-rock, blues stomps, high-Gothic drama, sci-fi soundtrack music and rockabilly twang to help you get your spook on.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-01-2012 |
Reviews
Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man in the Universenew
For his latest comeback—and first album of new material in 18 years—this R&B titan of the 1960s and '70s went to England.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
08-16-2012 |
Reviews
Blind Divine: The One Hundred Box Setnew
Many musicians release boxed sets, but those are usually career retrospectives or best-of collections. Meanwhile, Tucson's Blind Divine recently issued a set of five CDs of all previously unreleased material...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-25-2012 |
Reviews
Last Call Brawlers: The Pressures of Living, The Darkness of Dyingnew
The Brawlers have been around since 1999, and their latest album shows the band's meld of rockabilly, punk and surf music at its most seamless. The local quartet keeps things simple and direct, always opting for heart and guts rather than elaboration...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
05-08-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: last call brawlers
Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N 2 Itnew
Out of desperation can come redemption. From challenges that threaten to break us, we learn resilience. Dangerous excess can lead to enlightenment.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
03-26-2012 |
Reviews
Madi Diaz: Plastic Moonnew
There's something reassuring about the traditional musical values -- catchy vocal melodies, bright hooks, bouncy beats -- that Nashville tunesmith Madi Diaz applies to her chosen form, which is hard to call anything but power-pop.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
03-16-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: madi diaz
Jenny Owen Youngs: An Unwavering Band of Lightnew
On first listen, this deeply talented singer-songwriter's third full-length album is almost overwhelming, such is its embarrassing wealth of beguiling melodies, effervescent arrangements and endearing almost-love songs. But each time I press "play," it gets better, and now I find myself looking forward to each new track as the previous one fades.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
03-04-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: jenny owen youngs
Hank Topless: It's So Decembernew
Trading in wry wordplay and hard-won wisdom, singer-songwriter Hank Topless uses his warm baritone voice to weave lovely songs of nostalgia, darkness and occasional joy. The nine classic honky-tonk tracks on this new album explore a combination of humor and emotional tumult.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
02-13-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: Hank Topless
Ruthie Foster: Let It Burnnew
In the hands of some jazz, soul and blues vocalists—Cassandra Wilson and Bettye LaVette among them—classic-rock tunes are becoming the new standards. On her terrific new album, singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster brings her signature blend of folk, blues, soul and gospel to the party. But she has help.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
02-09-2012 |
Reviews
Tags: Ruthie Foster
MarchFourth Marching Band: Magnificent Beastnew
Is there not something sublime about the best marching bands? Without irony, they deliver joyful melodies, inventive charts and the natural power of amassed brass—and for the last decade or so, Portland, Ore.'s MarchFourth Marching Band has taken the marching-band format in exciting new directions...
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
01-19-2012 |
Reviews
Chris Isaak: Beyond the Sunnew
Chris Isaak was born to make this album, his tribute to the influential confluence of country, blues and rock 'n' roll created during the 1950s and 1960s at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-30-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Chris Isaak
Big Tree: This New Yearnew
On its second full-length album, this creative quintet shows off its obvious jazz influences.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
10-31-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Big Tree
