Dave Laing responds meekly to being told he looks like an Oakridge Boy by wise-ass young country gun Justin Townes Earle
Best Rock’n'Roll Stuff of 2008
by Dave Laing (Dog Meat/Savage Beat Records, occassional Ugly Things and I-94 Bar contributor)
Black Diamond Heavies – live & ‘A Touch of Someone Else’s Class’ CD
Wild, primal and LOUD R&B, like Ray Charles if he was trying to impress The Stooges. Great cover of Nutbush City Limits, and some killer originals. A perfect party record and an animalistic live band. If we’re lucky they may have worked up their version of Bob Seger’s ‘Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man’ by the time they reach our shores in December. Don’t miss them!
Alejandro Escovedo - ‘Real Animal’ CD
Not his best bunch of tunes, but his hardest sounding record. Like his beloved Lou, Mott and Stones, this guy is as adept with the quiet stuff as the loud stuff, and he’s got the songs and depth of soul to match his heroes.
Pierced Arrows live & ‘Straight To The Heart’ CD
Dead Moon is dead, long live the Pierced Arrows! Fred Cole is the sound and spirit of rock’n'roll personified, and his guitar sound is still the smokin’est ever.
Felice Bros live & ‘Felice Brothers’ cd
At first glance too much like The Band, but these guys have a completely unique spirit, great humor and great tunes to boot.
Chris Wilson – ‘All the Action’
Groovies singer returns with only second solo record in 20 something years. Album is patchy song-wise, but this opener, sort of an update/answer song to ’Shake Some Action’, is an absolute ripper.
Roky Erickson & The Explosives live at Threadgill’s
Roky & co play of scorching full length set, in a beer garden type setting, out front of a legendary restaurant in Austin. Billy Gibbons appears on stage for last couple of tunes. How can you not love SXSW when it keeps throwing up things like this? For all the industry wankery, there is still a strong element that is all about the music,,,
Magic Christian live at SXSW
Awesome live shows around Austin during sxsw. Now where the fuck is that second album guys?
Buffalo Killers ‘Let I Ride’ /Hacienda ‘Loud Is The Night’
These two, together with the Black Diamond Heavies, make for a trio of killer albums released by Alive and produced by Dan of the Black Keys. Buffalo Killers sound like Cream playing Big Star, Hacienda are young Mexican guys from San Antonio with Beatles/Beach Boys fixation. Great songs and great sounds abound on both these albums.
Charlie Pickett &… ‘Barband Americanus’
Best single-artist reissue of the year. Killer rock’n'roll from Miami, for fans of the Dream Syndicate, Gun Club and Flamin’ Groovies.
‘Thank You Friends: The Ardent Records Story’
Best multi-artist resissue/comp of the year. Outlines the context in which Big Star developed beautifully. The rare and unreleased stuff from Big Star and contemporaries on disc 2 is awesome.
Justin Townes Earle live and ‘ The Good Life’ CD
Steve Earle’s son has one foot in the gritty singer -songwriter stuff of his dad and his namesake Townes Van Zandt, and one foot in old time country Hank Williams-style. A great singer and captivating performer – by the time you read this you’ve probably missed his first Australian tour.
Hitmen ‘Death by the Gun’
I missed their live shows this year, but this great version of Masuak’s old and unreleased Birdman gem, which will appear on cd in ‘09, absolutely burns.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring ‘Primary Colours’
Still haven’t seen them live (no I don’t get out much anymore) but I’m finally convinced.
The Visitors reform
… and I fucking missed it !!
Johnny Casino & the Secrets ‘I Am Who I Am Not Who You Want Me To Be’
Great songs, great playing, and the boy has become a great singer. Soulful journeyman-type rock’n'roll that reminds me of Scott Kempner’s fab first solo album from the early 90’s.
Graeme Day & the Gaolers ‘Triple Distilled’ (Damaged Goods)
Prisoners mainman outdoes himself and how. Furious energy, great tunes, and ‘Glad I’m Not Young’ could well be my personal anthem of the year (and yours too!).
HOLD THE PRESSES!
Apparently an advance release of the second Magic Christian album ‘Evolver’ is available for purchase here www.cahootsgraffix.com . My likely album of the year will be in hands in a week or so I’m hoping. Check Cyril Jordan’s killer new licks on the bands myspace site!!
