Short Attention Span Record Reviews - March 2015 Part II

ALLISON MOORER – Down To Believing

If you still thought that country music is just banjos and fiddles (you shouldn't), then check out how bad this lady rocks. (8)

CANCER BATS – Searching For Zero

With catchy tunes and a sound falling somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between Clutch and Kvelertak this is quite appealing, if you can stand the vocals. (7)

DEATH GRIPS – Jenny Death

Look. Maybe I’m just an old cynical bastard but having listened to Public Enemy the first time around, Beatnigs/Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Consolidated, Meat Beat Manifesto the second time around and Dälek the third time around, Death Grips don’t sound new or impress me at all. (6)

ENSLAVED – In Times

Call this progressive black metal, psychedelic viking metal or whatever you like – no matter the label, it rules and will top quite a few metal “best of” year-end lists come December. (9)

GILL LANDRY – Gill Landry

Solo album by Old Crow Medicine Show member is a welcome departure from the flashy bluegrass virtuosity of his day job towards a more low-key, subdued sound. The songwriting’s still great though and the awesome Laura Marling is a guest. (8)

KARYN CRISIS’ GOSPEL OF THE WITCHES – Salem’s Wounds

Karyn (from Crisis) jumps on the occult rock bandwagon two years too late, but she’s got a couple of guys from Immolation with her and she’s a witch anyway so it doesn’t matter and she’ll still kick your ass. (8)

LAURA MARLING – Short Movie

Marling adds a dash of PJ Harvey to her generous portion of Joni Mitchell/acoustic Led Zep. Beautiful. (8)

LEAD BELLY – The Smithsonian Folkways Collection

Anyone interested in pre-rock ‘n’ roll era American music should own this box set: 5 CDs of classic and highly enjoyable acoustic folk/blues from Lead Belly, the man, the myth, the convict. And in case you suspected this is obscure ancient stuff please note you already know a few of these songs – they’ve either been covered or stolen by half the people in your record collection including Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Waits, Bryan Ferry, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Fall and Abba. (10)

LIGHTNING BOLT – Fantasy Empire

A bit more polished than their previous albums but still outrageous even for power-duo standards, “Fantasy Empire” is noise-rock’s King Crimson to “Head For the Shallow”’s Uriah Heep and will make you slamdance and laugh your ass off at the same time. Fantastic. (9)

MOTOR SISTER – Ride

Joey Vera told me years ago that he’s a huge fan of rockers Mother Superior, so he puts his money where his mouth is and joins superfan #2 Scott Ian’s project featuring Mother Superior’s own Jim Wilson, doing tougher cover versions of Mother Superior songs. (7)

OTIS TAYLOR – Hey Joe Opus Red Meat

Another “trance blues” tour-de-force from Taylor, featuring a fantastic version of “Hey Joe” as the concept album’s centerpiece. Play this in the dark, with no distractions. (8)

PRONG – Songs From The Black Hole

Cover versions of songs by Discharge, Sisters Of Mercy, Black Flag, Killing Joke, Husker Du, Fugazi, Bad Brains, Neil Young etc. Great tracklisting but the tunes could have been Prongified more. (7)

SUMMER CANNIBALS – Show Us Your Mind

Straight outta Portland garage, this is pop that’s punk enough to love. Or the other way around. (8)

THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW – Bad News Boys

How can a duo playing doo-wop-infused garage punk on a badly tuned guitar and a minimalist drum set seemingly consisting of just a kick drum and a tambourine actually sound so much FUN? (7)

VARIOUS ARTISTS – An All Star Tribute To Pink Floyd: The Everlasting Songs

Α bunch of really old ex-rock stars and A-list session players do Pink Floyd karaoke. Totally pointless. (1)