(read more of Rob’s work at NUVO.net / Indy’s Alternative Voice for 21 years)
Full of sly attitude and Faces/Black Crowes nods, Indianapolis rock singer/songwriter Jeremiah Cosner’s four-song Hold Steady EP gets grinding with a slide guitar and cracking drum on the opening track “Lipstick and Cigarettes”. The sneer and drawl of lyrics like “she knows what it takes to get this party rocking” give the tune – and the album – a certain Stonesy accessibility . The production allows space in the mix for the rock to breath. Musically clean without being too shiny, the sound is not unlike the mid-80’s LA rock of David & David (“Welcome to the Boomtown”); pop/rock for 2011 channeled through 1989.
album reviews/previews
The Cars: Stop the universe! A new album coming May 10
From 1978 through 1984, The Cars were huge. The skinny guy rocking the massive mullet – frontman Ric Ocasek – and producer Roy Thomas Baker put together a self-titled debut album that stands as one of the best in rock history. A Mutt Lange-led Heartbeat City, closed their run of ubiquitous radio play and MTV stardom.
And then the band splintered. Bassist and singer Benjamin Orr died. The group, minus Ocasek, reformed as The New Cars, with Todd Rundgren recruited to front the band. It fizzled.
Now, after nearly 25 years, the original lineup has regrouped to make an album that less-the-subtly recalls the vibe of the glory days (listen to three cuts below). On Move Like This, The Cars recapture their classic sound, dominated by New Wave keyboards, snarly guitars and the hiccuping vocals of Ocasek.
Wilco working on new album
As Wilco have just formed their own label (dBpm Records), they have also gone into their own studio/clubhouse to begin work on their next album.
“We really like doing things ourselves, so having our own label feels pretty natural to me,” he said on their website. “And, to be working with Anti- — a label that was started by a punk rock guy to sell his own records — seems like a perfect fit for us.”
An update on the band’s Facebook page reads: “Okay just a reminder: Wilco are recording a record. It will be out later this year and will be followed by many, many concert dates. To quote Derek Smalls, they shall tour the ‘World and Elsewhere’ beginning in Late 2011.”
Also, the album Tweedy released in 2010 with soul legend Mavis Staples, “You Are Not Alone”, won best Americana album last Sunday night at the Grammy’s.
New album for Duke Tumatoe; Chad Mills opening for Zac Brown Band duo
Singer/songwriter Chad Mills is part of the Redbud Tree House Concert Series this Sunday, January 16 at Radio Radio in Indy’s historic Fountain Square District. He will open for Levi Lowrey and Clay Cook, both members of the Zac Brown Band, who are on a tour between dates with the ZB band.
Indianapolis bluesman Duke Tumatoe’s new album, I Just Want to Be Rich comes out January 18 and he will preview the release with a show at Rathskeller in Indianapolis this Saturday, January 15. He will also be at the Players Pub in Bloomington on February 4.
Hear I Just Want to Be Rich
Roots and rock albums on the way: Todd Snider, Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, more
Some strong roots-rock albums will arrive over the next few months. Todd Snider’s song/spoken word set sounds interesting and odd, the Drive By Truckers will offer greasy R&B and new stuff by Lucinda Williams and Hayes Carll will start Americana fans vibrating.
January 11
Rusty Bladen – One Live Night – The Hoosier roots-rocker channels his inner Tom Petty with his full band, the Designated Drivers, in a live recording captured at a historic theatre in Scottsburg, Indiana.
January 18
Social Distortion – Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes – Mike Ness growls some rock for ya.
February 1
Todd Snider – The Storyteller – Live songs and musings from the East Nashville boy genius.
February 15
Drive By Truckers – Go-Go Boots – Featuring songs recorded concurrently with last year’s The Big To-Do. DBT’s Patterson Hood told knoxville.com that Go Go Boots has more of an R&B vibe to it than The Big To-Do. I call it our rhythm and blues murder ballads record. Its about as different as it could be and still be the same band.
Indiana Album: Mike Reeb – "Breaking"
For a good album to elevate to great, especially for local or undiscovered talent, finding a unique sound while embracing familiar influences becomes important. Some (Lenny Kravitz, Oasis) took that idea to a near-breaking point, while others don’t go far enough, and we are left with music that doesn’t find it’s way into our heart and guts.
Lafayette’s Mike Reeb does a fine job of blending his influences and own sound on his new album Breaking. A record filled with images of melancholy and heartbreak, Reeb casts his bright pop and rock music into the mix to keep it engaging.