Jay's mid-summer all-stars

Classics this year include indie, alt-country and music from Australia’s Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson.

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 07/16/2008
Minkin Music Archives
Talk Back to Jay

The first half of the 2008 musical season has offered several spectacular highlights. Gems by Shelby Lynne, Griffin House, The Black Keys, and Melody Gardot have received accolades from my readers and qualify for an automatic berth on the list of mid-summer classics.

Indie darlings old and new are represented by R.E.M. and Death Cab For Cutie. Members of the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, and Peter Buck delivered Accelerate—an album full of guitars, hooks and harmonies that will have longtime fans will whispering “comeback.” I must warn you, though this is a high decibel rock album, it deserves your attention.

For Death Cab, the release of Narrow Stairs gives the Seattle darlings the big league treatment they have earned and truly deserve. On what may be the most creative album of their career, lead singer Ben Gibbard’s voice shines on cuts like “No Sunlight,” “Pity and Fear,” and the eight-and-a-half minute epic, “I Will Posses Your Heart.”

One of my favorite alt-country bands, Drive-By Truckers, serves up 19 gothic southern rock tracks with the release of Brighter Than Creations Dark. A mix of country and rhythm and blues, singer/songwriters Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley lead the three-guitar attack along with longtime guest pianist Spooner Oldham on songs “Self Destructive Zones,” “The Opening Act,” and “Ghost To Most.” Bass player Shonna Tucker adds a new dimension to the band with her vocals.

The album getting the most attention is Rattlin’ Bones from Australia’s Kasey Chambers and husband Shane Nicholson. Chambers has scored several Americana hit singles in the U.S. while Nicholson’s more mainstream pop Faith & Science garnered a Mink Music Award in 2006.

This “roots country” record combines sweet harmonies with acoustic guitar and banjo. Songs like “Once In A While,” “One More Year” and “Wildflower” will touch your heart while “No One Hurts Up Here” will stir your soul.

Reach Jay at blues4bird@aol.com.

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