Casablanca - Miskatonic Graffiti

Ignore the fact that these guys look a bit on the odd side (that helmet tho), Casablanca makes great music.It's tempting to peg any new concept album from a European band as progressive music. But Casablanca's album Miskatonic Graffiti is less about self-involved noodling and more about glam rock in the grand old Bowie tradition. And to have it juxtaposed with the thematic content of H. P. Lovecraft is only one of the unusual aspects of this fantastic album/band.

So, yeah, there's a definite 70s vibe happening here, but that's not to say it's all trebly Gibsons and Leslie cabs. The production gives everything a nice big space to play around in, making the spooky lyrics more ethereal and effective. Tracks like the 10 and a half minute opener, Enter The Mountains, make for an appealing opening act to this three stage saga which kicks into the Alice Cooper-esque groove of Closer. I really like it when a band goes a different path when it comes to this sort of source material. What I really like is that every song, while part of a larger work, stands on its own as a testament to the talent of this band. I'm totally digging this album.

The Bottom Line: It would perhaps be more natural for a death or doom metal band to do Lovecraft with a heavy-handed approach, but Casablanca fucking rocks this shit, with solo sections that sound like full-throttle classic Boston or Kansas. And that contrast accents the underlying dread of the dark lyrical themes at work, like shambling horrors waiting in the shadows of a bucolic scene. Great stuff.

- Genghis wants to finish playing Dark Corners Of The Earth now...

Thundermother - Road Fever

Itchin' for some more of that sweet Scandinavian rock? Say hello to Thundermother.It's a testament to the pure energy of rock n' roll that bands like Motörhead can still pack venues, from small clubs to arenas crammed with screaming fans, armed with not much more than a handful of chords and a semi truck of attitude. And what I find truly amazing is that we seem to be enjoying a new era of bands that embrace this stripped-down, no bullshit approach to the genre with an authentic sound that doesn't feel recycled.

Which brings me to Thundermother and their second album Road Fever. In the spirit of hard rocking bands like the legendary Motörhead or Australia's Airbourne, this hellraisin' quintet shares a love of classic, AC/DC-style hard rockin' and is road-tested and good to go. The combination of lead guitarist Filippa Nässil's raunchy riffing and singer Clare Cunningham's whiskey-and-cigarette marinated delivery make for a one two sonic punch to the dome that should keep a bar crowd going all fucking night. This ain't gonna re-write the rule book or anything, but it's satisfying to hear genuine material like this coming from a group of rowdy women that doesn't come off like a gender-swapping gimmick. Hell, there's even the requisite hard rock staple, a song about self-pleasure. Horns up, man - uh, ma'am.

The Bottom Line: Thundermother is some of the best bar music you could ask for. If you're looking for a soundtrack to an evening of beer-fuelled hell raising, this'll do ya.

Tunes That Require You To Wear Some Kind Of Leather: FFWF, Deal With The Devil, Enemy, and Thunder Machine

- Genghis is down with the rock n' roll sisterhood...

Podcast #197: Grub

Cormac Neeson of The Answer stops by to Raise A Little Hell. Nice.Genghis & Ragman do their out-and-about thing where they sample a little local food why they chew the fat about all things heavy metal - in this case, the summer touring season comes to a close with tales to tell. So join the lads and pop open a Mexican Coke for a little lunchtime chattage.

Next, the boys talk with Cormac Neeson of The Answer, who speaks about the Irish band's rise to success, including touring with AC/DC on their Black Ice tour. These guys got the goods, ya hear? HORNS UP!

Food of the Show: Tacos Al Pastor (Tacos A Go-Go in The Heights)
	"Tacos A Go-Go is a local favorite for a quick and cheap Tex-Mex fix that satisfies nicely. Don't miss their fish tacos!"

Featured Tracks: Huntress - Flesh; Vicious Rumours - Children; Motionless In White - Break The Cycle; Steve 'N' Seagulls - Holy Diver; The Answer - Trouble, Gone Too Long, Strange Kinda Nothing, Raise a Little Hell, and Pride

- Genghis can't wait for the fall concert season...

Podcast #197: Grub

Outlaws and Moonshine - 1919 EP

As many of you know, I'm not a fan of country music, with the exception, of maybe some older Willie Nelson.  I really stay away from it, at all costs.  I'm not a fan, but have opened up a little to it, due to Ron Keel and his Metal Cowboy project.  Ron showed that the two can exist, and still rock.  Truthfully, bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd paved the way, for bands to merge rock with country, which is better known, as southern-fried rock. 

Over the past few years, we have seen more and more rockers, dipping their toes in to the country waters, and many of them failing quite miserably.  For me, Ron Keel was the only one that captured my ear, until I heard Outlaws and Moonshine.  Outlaws and Moonshine are a new band, that blend 80's style hard rock with some southern fried blues.  The music is down and dirty and catchy as hell.  It is hook-laden southern fried rock with an 80's tinge.  The part where the country influence comes in, is in the lyrics, which comes off a little cheesey.

The songs on 1919, are catchy, and filled with big anthem style choruses, that draw you in.  This band has a nice sound and I'm really digging the vocals of singer Beau Van, who has a killer voice.  The thing about this band, is that they sound so good, that you kind of forget about the cheesey country style lyrics. There is a nice variety on this release.  I really like the Zeppelin-esque Whiskey, which starts with a nice acoustic intro, before kicking into a full on rocker.  The track Hey Y' all, has a Def Leppard vibe to it.  The only thing, that sets these songs apart, from rock n roll, are the country style lyrics, which, at times, take away from the songs.  Don't get me wrong, the songs are strong enough to get you past the lyrical content.  I can see this one playing loud at a party or two.

Bottom Line:  Solid melodic blues based rock, with a classic sound.  Sing a long songs that hook you with their melodies.  The only downside, is that the lyrics get a little distracting, because of the lyrics.

Standout tracks: A Different Kind of Man, Redneck Me and Whiskey

-Ragman is looking for a cowboy hat.  Not!

Whitesnake - The Purple Album

Initially, when i hear that a band is going in and re-recording, their past glories, I instantly take a pass.  I don't understand why artists, feel a need to re-hatch their back catalog, rather than putting out new product.  Is it because they can no longer write music, that fans want to hear, or is it some sort of attempt to make dated songs sound fresh?  No tellin'.  I generally write these re-records off, because the new versions, don't typically hold a candle to the originals.  There are those rare occasions, when it works, but they are few and far between. That said, David Coverdale and his fellow snakes have taken on his era of Deep Purple.  Let's see how they fared.

To be honest, I was ready to pan this one, but I couldn't, because it was good.  The tracks on this CD, aren't simply re-records, of Deep Purple tunes, they are much more than that, because they are infused, with a heavy does of Whitesnake.  Whitesnake has done a nice job of breathing new life, into these classic tracks, especially with the help of guitarists Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra.  Actually Beach and Hoekstra's shreddding make this one a must have, because both of these guys are on fire.  It is nice to finally see Reb get more of the spotlight, in this band, because he is such an amazing player.  Hoestra is no slouch either, who complements, Beach's playing and vice versa.

I have to say, when I first heard that Coverdale was going to do this, I was a bit nervous.  I get bummed out when the great singers, from back in the day, try to re-live their past glories, only to prove that they ain't got it anymore.  Coverdale, proved me wrong, because his voice is strong as ever, on this release.  The list of songs picked for this release, meld very well together.  There is a nice mix of rockers and ballads.  The standout tracks are the tracks, that I wasn't as familiar with.  The hits are fairly karaoke, with the exception of the guitar solos.  It was the deeper tracks, that excelled on this one, for me. 

Bottom Line:  Whitesnake putting a fresh spin, on an era of Deep Purple, that is not as celebrated, as their earlier incarnations.  A solid release that can stand on it's own, without seeming like a total covers record.  There is just enough tweaking of the songs, to set it apart from the original versions.

Standout Tracks: Love Child, Sail Away, Stormbringer and Holy Man.

-Ragman is sprawled out, on top of the hood of wifey's car.  Here we go again.  DOH!