The Raconteurs
Consolers of the Lonely
You'll Like If You Like: MC5, The Who With a rapidly changing - some might say fading - recording industry, The Ranconteurs' Consolers of the Lonely joins the continuing experimentation by established acts in the way they release new music. The album was released less than three weeks after completion, skipping the traditional six months of promotion and touring prior to the release of a major label album.
Many of the songs bare a strong resemblance to "Icky Thump" tracks from Jack White's "other band" - not to say that's a bad thing. Instrumentally, Consolers is stimulating, but the vocal melodies seem comparatively rushed. The album has a melodic bright spot in the up tempo ballad "Many Shades of Black," where singer/guitarist Brendan Benson sounds possessed by Elton John.
To avoid future repetition, White should consider taking a break from self-producing his group's albums. Somebody please lock him in a room with Rick Rubin until they both agree Rubin should produce his next project.
- Phil Paquette South Austin Jug Band
Strange Invitation
If you like: Matt Costa, Jack Johnson Don't be fooled by the name: South Austin Jug Band is not just another player in the stereotypical "country-pop"/Americana genre. With its new album Strange Invitation, this rising local band's creative yet accessible sound stands out as it welcomes listeners on an eclectic journey through multiple musical styles.
What genre is the band aiming for? A handful of songs hold somewhat true to their "Jug Band" personage, eliciting multiple guitars, fiddles and a mandolin. "Come To Me," however, could have been written by Jack Johnson, and many songs have that alternative, John Mayer-like feel. Others have the half-bluegrass, half-rock twang of Bob Dylan. The track "Jack Ass" is a Beck cover. Clearly, these guys put no limits on their musical capabilities, and it works. All and all, it's easy to see why South Austin Jug Band has been generating so much press lately. Its creative and fun new album is an enjoyable, Strange Invitation worth accepting.
- Leigh Patterson
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