KINK Community Album Review

September 13, 2011, 8:25 pm

Music suggestions from the KINK Community

Don't pass these releases by

We’re more than halfway through 2011, a good time to pause, stop and reflect on a truly important question. Yeah, that one. Just how many new CD’s have we bought so far this year? Here are two that may interest you.


Augustana

Those lucky enough to catch Augustana’s performance at The Aladdin earlier this year know how this band can really deliver live, but what about their latest CD release?

The self-titled CD (“Augustana”) from this San Diego-based indie rock band has been out since April. The CD’s lead single “Steal Your Heart” can be heard now and then on the radio, but honestly, folks, if there’s a bad track anywhere on this album I’ve yet to find it.

In fact, one wonders why the folks at EPIC Records chose “Steal Your Heart” over “Wrong Side of Love” for initial promotion. Yes, “Steal Your Heart” is a great song, but the vocals, tension and buildup of the latter seem far more arresting and notable. One hopes more hit singles from this worthy effort are forthcoming.

Great but simple songwriting and Dan Layus’ touching vocals are among the band’s best strengths, taking Augustana from a merely good to a great American band. Justin South’s talent as a drummer is another key ingredient. Listen to “On The Other Side,” or “Counting the Stars,” for perfect examples of how songwriting prowess and great rhythm and energy can add up to superior rock ballads that merit repeated playing.

Other notable cuts include the wistful “Borrowed Time” and the Keane-like “Shot in the Dark.”  With its winning chorus: “Rising up slowly and getting higher / I’ve been living with a hole in my heart / Weighing down on me, but I’m a fighter / But I know I still got a shot in the dark,” it’s another track equally worthy of better promo.

To sum up: this band’s had two songs on Billboards “Hot 100 List”: 2007’s “Boston,” and 2008’s “Sweet and Low.” With this latest effort solidifying their standing and abilities, there’s every reason to make sure your 2011 purchases include the new CD, and to expect more hit singles from this exceptionally good band.

T Bone Burnett, The Producer

I’m not one to buy compilation CD’s very often, but at first blush “T Bone Burnett, The Producer” had so many interesting artists and songs listed I simply couldn’t help myself.  

This engaging assortment of artists and tracks opens with the bluesy, grinding twang of string-bass and electric guitar on Gillian Welch’s “Pass You By.” As guitar notes rise up, over and around Welch’s sultry voice, fans of the “O Brother Where Are Thou?” soundtrack will quickly recognize her distinctive style. Here’s betting you can’t listen to “Pass You By” any other way than volume cranked up.

The driving beat of The Wallflowers’ classic “One Headlilght” with Jakob Dylan comes next. Jon Brion’s skills on slide guitar and Dylan’s dead-on lead vocals remind us of how fantastic this song still sounds some 14 years after it was first released - thank goodness quality stations like KINK-FM still play it.

Sam Phillips’ “Baby I Can’t Please You” from the album “Martinis & Bikinis” is included here as well. Beautiful pairings between drums and sitar, Phillips’ voice and a string section are medicine for the ear.  “Baby I Can’t Please You” is pure, wonderfully layered psychedelic rock.

KINK listeners will readily recognize “If It Wasn’t for Bad,” a recent release by dynamic duo Elton John and Leon Russell. Creative keyboard collaboration take this song from great to classic.

The honest storytelling of Steve Earl’s Cajun-tinged “Waitin’ on the Sky” is but another T Bone highlight. A song this simple and this good makes us want the entire CD from whence it came. (That would be: “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Allive,” released in April of this year).

And as if all this wasn’t enough…

“T Bone Burnett, The Producer” also includes Los Lobos’ “One Time, One Night (in America),” a stellar composition by Louie Perez showcasing lead singer David Hidalgo’s expert finger pickin’ lead guitar. The vocals found here are as warm and smooth as a shot of the finest tequila on a very cold, very dark night. Just try not to tap your foot as Hidalgo makes his way up and down those frets. Seriously, folks, “The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame” ought to have a separate category for songs as fine as this one.

Sometimes a healthy dose of curiosity pays off big time, so if you’re the least bit curious about T Bone Burnett, heed the call. Available at most Starbucks.


Thanks to Cynthia Orlando. 

Listener reviews are always a welcome addition to my blog.  What sounds good to you these days? ~  Dave Scott