Top Five X 2
by Gretchen “Dixiegrrl” Wood, host of the Hanging On For Mercy podcast on garagepunk.com and contributing writer for perfectsoundforever.com and Atlanta’s Stomp and Stammer magazine
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colors (Goner) Yet another high five for their sophomore release. Fresh and angular, aggressive bass reminiscent of Australia’s X, clanging guitars tight like Wire or Gang of Four, seductive chanting melodies, sneering vocal. All at once, distinctly primal and very modern. Can’t wait ’til they return to the States!
Gentleman Jesse – s/t (Douchemaster) This highly anticipated debut full length absolutely delivers on the promise of their “I Don’t Wanna Know” 7″. Infectious angsty power pop out of Atlanta, this be the act tapped by Paul Collins himself to be the Beat on his next tour.
Charlie Pickett - Bar Band Americanus (Bloodshot) This criminally overdue retrospective from Florida’s rockin’ answer to the Flamin’ Groovies encompasses everything that’s passionate, pissy and smart in Pickett’s catalog. Back in the 80s when he was making records, only the most savvy knew about this cat. Now everyone else can get hip as well…
Mike and the Ravens - Noisy Boys: the Saxony Sessions (Zoho Roots) Forty-five years after a summer of wild-ass shows cut short by hijacking the steeple PA system at the local church to blast the valley with rock n’ roll, these 1962 frat rockers from VT reemerged from their respectable lives to obliterate notions of grandpa rock with a big bluesy voice, snarly guitars, and sophisticated songwriting that reveals a knack for hooks.
The Finkers – Epilogue (Off The Hip) Where on Earth have these boys been hiding? Few of their Melbourne scenester compatriots have even heard of their perfect pop, their soulful tunes, their yearning hooks, and they sure are missing out. Sure a two-CD set is a bit of a commitment especially when it’s presented as the band’s sayonara, but song for song, this delivers. Even the covers are smart picks from the Stems, Groovies, and Real Kids. I sure hate to say goodbye to this act before I’ve hardly said hello.
live shows…
Roky Erickson @ 40 Watt – Athens, GA (Aug) Legendary Thirteenth Floor Elevators front man, continues to resurrect himself from debilitating mental illness to hit the stage even more fiery than either of his two appearances at the Ponderosa Stomp. Those in the know said even more fiery than his most recent show at SXSW… And this came down a scant five minutes from my crib. lucky me!
Mary Weiss/Reigning Sound @ the Earl – Atlanta, GA (Nov) The lady’s hitting her stride, her voice booming, her joy palpable. What can ya say about the Reigning Sound except that they always throw down. The icing was Jayne County down from NYC usurping MC duties. The entire night, nothing short of grand send up for local mag Stomp and Stammer’s lucky 13th birthday.
Patterson Hood @ Melting Point – Athens, GA (Oct) Few command a stage with songs and stories like the Drive-By Truckers’ front man. In genteel surroundings with chairs, tables, candles, and even table service, he delivered one of the most compelling solo acoustic performances this side of Richard Thompson or Steve Young.
Dexter Romweber Duo @ Star Bar – Atlanta, GA (Feb) watching him transcend this old world to fight demons and commune with spirits while he flails away on that old Silvertone, With his sister Sara (Let’s Active, Snatches of Pink) on drums, Dex is free to boom away his best voice ever.
Herman Hitson @ the Earl – Atlanta, GA (Oct) This old school Atlantan’s wrenching performance of “Bad Girl” – a deep soul classic, the best known version by fellow Atlantan Lee Moses – was plenty soaring to earn a year end mention. The few of us that remained at the end of that long night were doubled over in breathless euphoria.
