Various Favorites by Various Artists in Various Parts of the Spectrum

I was about to write today about my new favorite album that I just received in the mail. Then I guiltily remembered all of my past favorites, arriving in small packages at my door, spinning madly in CD player for a couple of weeks, but never making it to this site. Therefore, with apologies to those who sent me this music many weeks ago, here’s a rundown of some past new favorites, the albums that immediately saw a lot of airtime in my world (in Spectrum order).


Rhythm & Blues: The Best of Johnny Adams
Fuel 2000 Records has a great collection of re-releases, blues, R&B, etc. When I think of the 60’s and R&B, I think of Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson. I should be thinking Johnny Adams, too. This collection of Johnny Adams’ hits gives an excellent look back on a great singer who brought tremendous flair, an outstanding range, and a beautiful style to his renditions of standards and new songs.

“Release Me” makes you remember what a soul ballad is supposed to be. “You Made a New Man Out of Me” moves and shakes with a funk that still pulses today. “Georgia Mountain Dew” is one of the tunes that has a lot of country blowing through but Adams gives it an unmistakable R&B feel. Shuffling up as the lead track in this compilation, “I Won’t Cry” shows how a heart breaks even through clinched teeth.


Country-influenced Rock: Grand Drive’s See the Morning In
You can’t escape the twang in Tom Petty’s voice, even on his most pop rock tunes. That’s how Petty came to be in the Country-influenced Rock section, ready to be the sound I latched onto in Grand Drive, while trying to find out where this band fits into the Spectrum.

Grand Drive opens See the Morning In with a fragile, lilting song about a girl making wishes on the glow-in-the-dark star stickers on her ceiling. There’s comfort and familiarity in this song; there’s hope in something futile. The next track, “A little like you,” picks up there, moves it a bit more up tempo, with the mandolin lines and slide guitar setting the stage.

I think what I most intriguing about this album is how, like Petty, a distinctive voice (OK, nasally, twangy) can’t deter these songs from fully capturing the imagination, leading those who are inclined to sing along, touching you with tenderness.

See the Morning In is released by Gravity.


AltCountry: Jason Walker & the Last Drinks’ Ashes & Wine
Bug me later about what the AltCountry category has come to mean, because right now, I just want you to know that Jason Walker & the Last Drinks demand to be turned up during your summer backyard picnics. Not in the sense of party music, but more in that sense of providing a soundtrack, providing that feeling that as the sun warms everyone, that as you gather around, there’s still plenty of scrapes and bruises and fights, but otherwise, we’re all doing just fine. Just fine, indeed.

(Unfortunately, being from Australia, released on Laughing Outlaw Records, the seasons are backwards there, but for you in the Northern Hemisphere, the timing of the summer picnic comment is right for you!)

Blue Mountain is another group that has resided in my AltCountry collection for awhile (thanks to Emily!), and both Blue Mountain and Jason Walker have that same ready-to-rock, ready-to-front-porch-stomp sound. Ashes & Wines opens with a false start, the guys counting out the tempo before trying “You’re On Your Own” again. That’s the feel that brings this album truly home or to your next barn dance or to a stage in the courthouse square. It’s a recording which brings sounds very live and spontaneous, like you’re pulling up downtown, walking through the crowd with your sweetheart, approaching the stage, watching the band play into the night while the cicadas buzz and the river steams with heat.


Garage Rock: Deathray Deathray
Like The Rosenbergs, Deathray is in the Garage Rock section, the less heavier side, because they sound like “the fun band down the street who plays at all of the local gigs.” Relinet K has occupied this tenuous space for awhile, a band that throws down and rocks, but also has ballads, keyboards, and vocals on top of the mix.

Deathray has got these same qualities, but they’re making the kind of rock that should be played in roller skating rinks—it’s the stuff of crushes and dating. The kind of music that you listen to in your headphones, walking to school, trying to get your courage up to ask that girl to the dance today. The kind of music we all still need when we need a musical confidence boost.

Deathray was released in 2000 by Doppler Records. It is skate rock, I suppose. I don’t skateboard, and when I’m talking to the youth in the church neighborhood, I admit my sad attempts to do so. Seventh and eighth grades were quite embarrassing for me in trying to look like a skater—without the skateboard. So I suppose I still identify with the image, the approach to life, the skate rock attitude. It’s tongue-in-cheek rock ‘n’ roll, but it also wears its heart on its sleeve. Music for the sensitive skater (and wannabes)? I suppose that’s what I’m saying, but that’s a good thing.


Punk Rock: The Gossip’s Movement
The best Punk Rock plays fast, loud, and pays homage to ones who have gone before. The Gossip (or Goxxip) record in basements, smash through their songs, and it’s Punk Rock, riot rock, garage rock, all of that. Yet, it’s the blues that most comes through the kit and low-tuned guitar and vocals.

Movement (Kill Rock Stars) finds lead singer Beth Ditto, drummer Kathi Mendoncaa, and guitarist Brace Paine laying down the meanest sounding blues without niceties. There’s no smooth keyboards; there’s no bass to leave the guitar free to find the higher side of the scale; there’s no slide steel or finger-style guitar. Yet, holy cow, these kids have the blues; there’s no doubt about that.