Harlem, you know that really awesome band from Texas who Chris and I saw at Great Scott just short of a month ago, will be back in these parts in a couple of months. July 14, to be exact, at the House of Blues. No, no, no. I know what you are thinking. They couldn’t even draw a sold-out GS crowd, so any chance of them headlining a 1,000 capacity venue seems moot, don’t you think? Right. They will be opening for the perfectly average hard-rock/blues outfit Dead Weather. Fellow KLYAMer Matt will be presumably in attendance and he’ll be in for a treat. In a summer void of great concerts, I’d probably go to this one. BUT it’s $29 bucks and $29 for a quickie set from Harlem (fuck they only played 25 minutes at GS as headliner) is a bit much.
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)
Jack White, drummer/singer for blues-rock band The Dead Weather, has stated that the band is recording the last few songs on their second record and that he will begin mixing the record within the next week or so and that to expect the album in April. White has stated that the first single off the record will be called “Blue Blood Blues.” He has described the somewhat new sound as “bluesier and heavier than we ever thought we could be.” The Dead Weather consists of Jack White(drums), Dean Fertita(guitar), Jack Lawrence(bass) and Alison Mosshart(vocals). I don’t know about you but as a full blown worshipper and believer in the Church of Jack, I am really pumped for this record.
Band: Dead Weather
Label: Third Man Records
Release: 2009
1. “60 Feet Tall” – 8.5
2. “Hang You From The Heavens” – 8.7
3. “I Cut Like A Buffalo” – 7.5
4. “So Far From Your Weapon” – 7.7
5. “Treat Me Like Your Mother” – 8.3
6. “Rocking Horse” – 7.5
7. “New Pony” – 8.3
8. “Bone House” – 9.2
9. “3 Birds” – 7.4
10. “No Hassle Night” – 8.5
11. “Will There Be Enough Water” – 7.6
Comments: Sweet licks — bass, guitar, etc. I do like the direction of many of the instrumentals, but often times these sounds are too processed for my liking. Their blues-rock style borders garage crossover, but is seemingly heavier than that. I get a weird Rage Against the Machine vibe; apparently others do too. PJ Harvey meets RATM meets Cold War Kids meets Downbeat 5. The good news is that this album possesses a ton of positive energy and is generally fun no matter which way you spin it. Most fun? Probably “Bone House.” The amount of noise (pop) is reminiscent of Sonic Youth. Filler alert for “3 Birds.” Overall, I’m not going to be coming back to this album for my fix of blues-rock, but for a one time deal it’s a solid listen.
Final Grade: 8.1
Boston based shows/fests – DIY, punk, noise
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 