AltWeeklies Wire
'Chinese Democracy,' the New Guns N' Roses Album: Not Badnew
It seems like thousands of truly twisted guitar solos decorate the riffs, attacking from all angles as Chinese Democracy's songs twist, break down and morph. Even the album's bad parts boast something interesting.
Theresa Andersson's 'Hummingbird, Go!'new
Theresa Andersson steps outside her roots-music box to discover success on a national scale.
The Pine Leaf Boys: Home Sweet 'Homage'new
In the past, the Pine Leaf Boys tempered Cajun tradition with touches of roots-rock, swamp pop and neo-Americana, but Homage au Passe is thoroughly and delightfully old-school, with smoking fiddle and reeling accordion sounding like a sweaty, stomping good time at a Eunice dance hall on a Saturday night.
The Radiators Show Their Rough Side on 'Wild & Free'new
This two-disc set of unreleased rarities, outtakes, flotsam and jetsam of 30 years of playing comes across as something of a basement tapes recording with rougher, more laidback versions of fan favorites.
Tags: The Radiators, Wild & Free
C-Murder Creates Gangsta Nostalgia on 'Screamin' 4 Vengeance'new
Corey Miller, aka C-Murder, releases a new project while awaiting a retrial on murder charges. The record is filled with stomping, lead-heavy beats and menacing gangsta growl and features a guest spot from No Limit star Mia X. It's not a thriller, but does strike chords of nostalgia.
Tags: C-Murder, Screamin' 4 Vengeance
John Cleary Channels New Orleans Legends on ' Mo Hippa'new
Jon Cleary's new album captures some of the unfettered groove of New Orleans legends like James Booker and Professor Longhair on a record of authentic Crescent City stomp and boogie-woogie.
Meaty Rock and Funk Coming Your Waynew
Is there such a thing as cerebral rock that doesn't suck? Johnny Sketch and Co. may be proving so with its immodestly titled fourth album The Big Awesome, which flexes the band's conservatory chops on meaty rock and funk in a way that's smart but not snobby.
Asymmetrical Tapestry of Soundnew
As science-y sounding as the title, the album is sonically understated, yet complex. It plays like a collection of lost sounds naturally magnetizing to one another and then spinning off into the atmosphere.
Hot Gypsy Jazznew
The sextet definitely rocks the tunes with aplomb, particularly Pierre Pichon's sizzling acoustic guitar, which isn't as front-and-center as one might assume from the material. The full band is constantly in play, getting the most out of the earthy sophistication of the familiar style and arranging the tunes in a perfect balance to assert its own stamp on the material while paying homage to the near perfection of the original compositions.
Tags: Swingphonicity, VaVaVoom
James Blood Ulmer: Blood and Pietynew
With six covers on Bad Blood in the City culled from the rich, muddy history of rural Southern blues, Ulmer's pedigree as a down-home swamp dog could easily pass examination.
Simple Pleasuresnew
The year's best CDs demonstrated craft and brains, whether it's the immaculate, melodic pop of Ron Sexsmith's Revolver or Van Hunt's nuanced take on love and lust. With the war and election as a cultural backdrop, warmth and intelligence were far more personally useful than jagged, new wave by Franz Ferdinand and the like.
