New Album: Eric Church’s new album The Outsiders debuted on the Billboard 200 at #1, so he must be doing something special. Though upon my listening to this album, I can’t tell what it is. While it’s a perfectly solid album full of nice hooks, sneaky guitar work, and immaculate pop production, so are scores of other country albums that are being released right now. I’ve heard a bit of Eric Church before this while flipping through the radio, but I couldn’t really differentiate him from Luke Bryan or Blake Shelton or Kip Moore or whoever is the latest honky-tonk hunk du jour. The way I see it, there’s nothing particularly identifiable about him, but I guess that blandness and accessibility served him in good stead for this album.
The songs on the album “The Outsiders” and “Give Me Back My Hometown” do paint some good portraits, though. The first casting him and his friends as an outlaw-type outfit, and the second putting him in the position of being homesick despite being home since it’s no longer as it was. These are two very good images, and infinitely preferable to the incessant country odes about trucks and country girls and going mudding and whatever else they do. While these are cool, and probably some of the best that modern country has to offer (which, admittedly, can get pretty bad), the kicker for me is that I could imagine any of those honky-tonk hunks singing these songs and it sounding pretty much the same. Maybe I’m just not as tuned into what’s coming out of Nashville nowadays, but while it’s a perfectly solid album, I feel that Eric Church is a disposable vehicle for the songs. You should still check it out if you dig country, though.
What I’ve Been Listening To: One of the coolest albums I rediscovered on the way back from a gig the other night is the Derek Trucks Band’s 2006 album Songlines. This alumnus of the southern rock institution The Allman Brothers Band put together a great ensemble for this, and they weave through genres like nobody’s business. From the blues of “Chevrolet” to their interpretation of former UMass jazz professor Billy Taylor’s civil rights anthem “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” to the raga-rock stylings of their version of Pakistani devotional singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Sahib Teri Bandi Aan,” the virtuosity rings true and Derek Trucks makes his guitar sing with all the emotion of the finest vocalists out there. Check it out if you need something to listen to for a long drive.
While this next one isn’t an album per se, I just played a show with these guys and think they deserve a lot of attention. They’re a Boston area band called That Racket, and though they’re only high schoolers they perform like seasoned professionals and really put on a show, with everybody moving to the music, dancing, playing their hearts out, and most importantly having tons of fun. Check out their music here, and if you live in the Boston area try to go see them if you like punk and want to see a band get a little crazy onstage.
Finally, an album that I’ve been listening to because the UPC asked me to do something for when Marky Ramone comes to UMass to speak on March 24 (which would be a cool thing to go to), I’ve been listening to the Ramones’ compilation album All The Stuff And More and had a realization. If you strip away the buzzsaw guitars and manic drumming, songs like “Rockaway Beach” and “Cretin Hop” become just surf-rock songs or girl group tunes you’d hear on any oldies station. That doesn’t mean they’re not good songs, in fact quite the opposite. It means that they retain their pop sensibilities when stripped down to their core, which is pretty sweet. Listen to this and come see Marky when he speaks on March 24 at UMass.
Local Music:
1. Connecticut-based band The Go To is going to be playing at Pearl Street on March 15. They’re a pop band, but they’re all very talented musicians, and they’re pretty easy on the eyes as well. Come check these guys out if you’re sticking around for Spring Break or can hang around for an extra night.
2. There’ll be a UMass Band Night at The O’s in Sunderland on March 28. Come see some local talent at the newly renovated facilities located on the former site of Snowzee’s.
3. On April 15, the Mountain Goats will be coming to Pearl Street. Come see singer/songwriter John Darnielle’s touching wordplay and beautifully crafted songs, and you can see why they’re author John Green’s favorite band.