In honor of Cinco de Mayo, here’s Los Saicos!
Chris
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, here’s Los Saicos!
Chris

Not too long ago somebody recommended that I learn about the historical roots of the music that I presently enjoy. You know what? Old time “garage rock” of the 60s just doesn’t have the same appeal to me as newer stuff. I tried Count Five’s Psychotic Reaction and Iggy Pop’s Raw Power and while there are some gems on those records, they just aren’t as fun through and through as say Black Lips! or Blood Visions.
In the spirit of Quebec here is a 2004 hit from one of my favorite bands north of the border, Les Cowboys Fringants:

Band: King Khan & Pat Meteor
Release: 3/2010
Label: Sub Pop
1. “The Fiery Tears of St. Laurent” – B+
2. “Bon Bon” – A-
Comments: The kind of music you’d expect with a title such as The Fiery Tears of St. Laurent. This is slow cooked rock and roll with a distinct rural aesthetic. Would it be okay to call it at least one part country? It’s French-Canadian goodness…what I believe they call néo-trad. I’d like to say Meteor sings on the first track and that Arish Khan spearheads the treat called “Bon Bon.” Even though “Bon Bon” is as lyrically simple as a song can come, it has a great atmosphere that reminds me positively of the culture surrounding the classic visit to Quebec that Chris and I (amongst other students) embarked on five years ago.
Grade: B+ (89)
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Band: The Dead Weather
Release: 5/2010
Label: Third Man Records
1. “Blue Blood Blues” – B-
2. “Hussle and Cuss” – B-
3. “The Difference Between Us” – B-
4. “I’m Mad” – B
5. “Die By The Drop” – B
6. “I Can’t Hear You” – B
7. “Gasoline” – B-
8. “No Horse” – C+
9. “Looking at the Invisible Man” – C
10. “Jawbreaker” – B-
11. “Old Mary” – C-
Comments: These guys! I think I may have mentioned this in my review of Horehound: these songs (especially the first five) are really memorable, but not necessarily my cup of tea. If you like what they call ‘blues-rock’ then I could definitely see this as a suitable fit alongside a collection of Raconteurs, White Stripes, Black Keys, and Them Crooked Vultures records. The first single released in March “Die By The Drop” brings back crazy memories of Rage Against the Machine. Same with the next song.
Grade: C+ (79)


Both tracks are off their upcoming album Expo 86 (June 29, Sub Pop):
“What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)” – Spencer Krug succeeded in his goal of penning a danceable song. Lyrically speaking, this song is filled with oddball lyrics, sort of like what we’ve come to expect from Sunset Rubdown. Like Deerhunter’s “Operation” the drum beat and bass are what makes this a so-called “dance rock” number. Sure, the organ fills and scratchy guitar riffs are nice, too. I wasn’t too impressed the first few listens, but this is definitely a grower. [Grade: A/A-]
“Ghost Pressure” – Dominating, at first, this song is the synthesizer, which sort of like an Editors song, darkens atmosphere and mood. The synth “brightens” up after a short keyboard part. The bridge “shake me up, shake me up” sounds awfully familiar, but I can’t quite recall what tune this reminds me of. Anybody? Boeckner sings the first half before Krug enters. They harmonize up until a short instrumental finishes the thing up. Like “What Did” I wasn’t really an immediate fan, but this is actually quite good. [Grade: A]
Listen to the songs at the Dork!

Mark Sultan and Bloodshot Bill are The Ding-Dongs. Their self-titled debut is being released today, May 3, on Norton Records!
“Brown Trash”