Album Review: Drive-by Truckers

Drive-by Truckers

Live from Austin, TX

# of spins (out of 5):

What can I say and how should I say it?

Most reviewers are having verbal orgasms over this CD/DVD set, and I don’t really get it. This is not to say I don’t get The Truckers, because believe me I do (if you’ve spent much time on this blog you know they’ve owned a place in my heart since the release of 2003’s Decoration Day). In fact, maybe the reason I don’t get this is because I’m a little jaded, having seen this band (or variations of its past and present members) dozens of times over the years, I have a point of reference. So don’t get me wrong, I would love to appeal to my emotions and rave, but alas, I must yield to my sensibilities.

First of all if you have never actually seen these guys live or never heard either of the band’s previous live documents Alabama Ass Whuppin’ or the DVD only release The Dirty South: Live at the 40 Watt. Then I can understand how this album would suffice, because they are exceptional live and you have nothing to compare it to.

But here’s the thing…

As a live band The Truckers are at their most glorious when unrefined, unhinged, and uninhibited…none of which is compatible with the sterile, soundstage atmosphere that they’re dealing with here. Because remember the whole show is from the band’s episode of the PBS live music series Austin City Limits, which they recorded last Fall. This is not done in a bar, a music club, or some other seedy dwelling (places where The Truckers flourish like fine bacteria) filled with members of their intoxicated but loyal devotees – but rather they’re playing in front of a reserved crowd of mostly sober music execs. This isn’t to say that I don’t understand what a badge of validation it is for these guys to finally get a “Live from Austin City Limits” release, because it is a big deal. But let’s not kid ourselves and pretend that the band on this set is the same Drive-by Truckers I have been (literally) following for six years now.

The whole thing is 13 songs…another symptom of t.v. taping. In their natural habitat this band is only getting warmed up after 13 songs…they’re regularly known for their two-and-a-half to three hour shows – so forcing them to condense it into 83 minutes, just feels wrong. There are some gems dug up from their first two records, but their middle four albums are ignored almost entirely to stack the set with songs from 2008’s Brighter Than Creation’s Dark. While still a great album – loading the set with its songs, while ignoring crowd favorites from previous records, makes this feel less like a live document and more like a promotional stop in an album cycle.

Ultimately, is it bad? Nope. It’s The Truckers, if there is anything this band can do, it’s play live. But is this the career defining live set that people are hailing it to be? Hell, no. Once again, buy a ticket to their next show, then check out Alabama Ass Whuppin’ (although it’s long out of print, you might still be able to download it somewhere), and the DVD The Dirty South: Live at the 40 Watt. After doing that, go back and listen to Live from Austin, TX…you’ll see what I mean.

Concert Review: Marcy Playground

Marcy Playground (w/ Hot Action Cop)
8/1/09 Phoenix Hill Tavern, Louisville, KY

Marcy Playground is remembered as one of the biggest one-hit-wonders of the 90's, but in retrospect I don't know why. I mean, I understand they did only have one REAL hit song, but the fact is that the band is so good...how did they never make it work? Seeing their concert last night, just reinforces that question.

The band is out in support of their new album "Leaving Wonderland...in a fit of rage", which is an astonishingly good album in its own right (album review coming soon). They tore through of their old songs like "Poppies" and "Saint Joe on the Bus" were great reminders of the days when people liked one song, and still ended up buying a really great album (although "Cloak of Elven Kind" was sadly missing from the set). Some of the great songs from their pseudo-dark period, like "Punk Rock Superstar" and "Rock n' Roll Heroes", also showed up throughout. And of course they played "the song". Which didn't seem contrived or nostalgic like when most 'one hit wonders' hit into their signature hit. The audience was excited for it and the band seemed just as excited to play it. And I'll admit, I'm one of the few people that is pro-concert sing-a-longs - and it filled the room amazingly.

John Wozniak's voice is a force of nature and how that has gotten passed me for the last decade is shocking. And when the band closed with a cover of (the nearly cliche) "Hallelujah", I was skeptical. But they sold me...full band, Buckley's arrangement, and Woz's voice - their rendition of that song easily shoots to the top of that rapidly increasing list of people who cover that song.

The weak part of the evening was opening act Hot Action Cop. They're a band that plays mediocre music very well. They put on a good show, but their musical style clashes badly with that of Marcy Playground. Hot Action Cop feels like a bad remnant from the rap-rock craze of the late 90's that we all try to forget. And the entire band should be sentenced to anafterlife in the flaming pits of hell for their cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb".

Album Review: Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (Sid n Suzie)

Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (aka Sid n Suzie)

Under the Covers Vol. 2

# of spins (out of 5):


This is Vol. 2 in the Sweet/Hoffs collaborative Under the Cover series, and I am officially excited about their future ventures. The first one focused on their favorite music from the sixties, and this one focuses on the seventies. And as before, their song selection is surprising but reasonable…no real classic rock standards, but nothing too far left of the classic rock radio dial, either.

Their voices were meant to sing together, they weave lavish vocals around the melodies of the songs that you love but would never think to remeber. It might sound odd, but they do a very strong version of Grateful Dead’s “Sugar Magnolia” – with a slicing guitar part that does The Dead justice and makes it impossible for even the staunchest of Deadheads to criticize.

Sweet and Hoffs vocal interplay dwarfs that of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks when it comes to their version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News”. But when you hit their glorious renditions of Eric Clapton’s “Bell Bottom Blues”, Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes”, and Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” back-to-back-to-back – you can’t help but think, “there’s no way they can top that run of searing covers.” And alas, it is. It crescendos with those, and while everything here is strong, nothing quite measures up after that. Save for inspired tracks like Yes’ “I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People”, John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth”, Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” (Hoff’s whiskey growl on this is enigmatic), and George Harrison’s “Beware of Darkness”.

Ultimately at sixteen songs, there are just too many for all of them to be as good as this album is at its best. I would say, scratch the Todd Rundgren and Bread songs all together, and perhaps pick a different Little Feat tune (“Sailin’ Shoes” instead of “Willin’” maybe?) and this album would have been as classic as the songs on it. Regardless, this does not foil my excitement for their future endeavors – hopefully they’ll follow this all the way through with Vol. 3 being full of 80’s songs, Vol. 4 being filled with 90’s songs, Vol. 5 picking through what's decent of the new millennium, and maybe throw in a Vol. 6 that dips all the way back to the 50’s – I don’t mean to plot their careers out for them or anything…but as a fan I would LOVE to see this trajectory.

A Wonderful Press Release

I usually don't like to put up press releases...of course I don't USUALLY do anything around here, so who cares? But anyway, I got this one and it made feel tingly sensations in places I've never felt them before. So take a look...

LEVON HELM - RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN

PBS SPECIAL TO AIR IN AUGUST 2009

Unparalleled Group of Musicians Join Helm for an Historic Evening

On most Saturday nights since January 2004, Levon Helm has hosted evenings of music at the “barn,” his home studio in Woodstock, New York. These magical nights are called The Midnight Ramble Sessions. On September 17, 2008, Helm took the Midnight Ramble on the road to one of America’s treasured venues, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, where — accompanied by such luminaries as Buddy Miller, John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow and Sam Bush — the Levon Helm Band gave birth to a night of stage magic. Captured in pristine high definition LEVON HELM - RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN is part of special programming airing on PBS in August 2009 (check local listings).

The performance is a veritable tour through the American songbook, featuring tunes from Helm’s tenure with The Band, as well as selections from the 2008 Grammy winning Dirt Farmer and classics from artists such as Chuck Berry, the Carter Family and more.

LEVON HELM - RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN came on the heels of Dirt Farmer’s debut. After overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, Helm released the album, his first solo recording in 25 years, and won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. The San Francisco Chronicle called Dirt Farmer “nothing less than a return to form by one of the most soulful vocalists in rock history.” Helm was obviously on a roll in 2008. Rolling Stone hailed his Midnight Ramble as “2008’s Best Jam

Session” and the Americana Music Association bestowed on him the Artist of the Year Award.

Click the link for a preview of RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVvlNJ4Kspc

LEVON HELM: RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN includes:

· “Ophelia”

· “Back to Memphis

· “Fannie Mae”

· “Baby Scratch My Back”

· “Evangeline”

· “No Depression in Heaven”

· “Wide River to Cross”

· “Deep Elem Blues”

· “Rag Mama Rag”

· “Time Out for the Blues”

· “The Shape I’m In”

· “The Weight”

Levon Helm recently released his new album Electric Dirt (Dirt Farmer Music/Vanguard) which was hailed by critics and fans alike. The New York Times cited “His voice is vigorous and unbridled... the music struts and cackles through every earthly travail." Electric Dirt marked Levon’s highest in Soundscan era at #36.

...and yes, I am full aware that I am a "Band Geek". Get it? Did you see what I did there? "Band Geek"...The Band...Levon Helm...I know, I suck.

Forecastle Band Count

Here are all the bands' sets I saw while at Forecastle last weekend:

7/10 - Forecastle Festival Day #1
(Main Stage: Cage the Elephant, The Whigs, Zappa Plays Zappa, Pretty Lights, The Black Keys)
(Second Stage: The Last Straw, The Lion's Rampant, Hackensaw Boys, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit)

7/11 - Forecastle Festival Day #2
(Main Stage: The New Mastersounds, Dead Confederate, The Black Crowes, Widespread Panic)
(Second Stage: The Afromotive, The Deep Vibration, Royal Bangs)
(Third Stage: Paul Dailey, Dory, Three)

7/12 - Forecastle Festival Day #3
(Main Stage: Umphrey's McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Avett Brothers, Widespread Panic)
(Second Stage: Gringo Starr, The Instruction, Backyard Tire Fire)