These reviews will appear in the next edition of THE UNDERGROUND SOUND @ http://undergroundrecords.org/sound
It's always good to just listen to something and know nothing about it. In the first 30 seconds if it jumps right in you can tell if you like it or not. I was pleasantly surprised with this Bobby Bare Jr., knowing more about his famous father, the indie label Jr was on, and his label mates than he. It being one of those know not what to expect first listens I have to say I was impressed. I'd "heard" the name Bobby Bare for a long time referring to his father. Might have even had Jr's stuff pass through the shop once or twice. Just never sat and listen to his music for an extended time.
Needless to say many if not most want to clump BB Jr. into the "alternative country" genre for whatever purposes most of all family ties. I'm glad genres don't mean much in my mind because that's not what Bobby Bar Jr. is. Even including a weird 50's jersey style breakdown (If She Cared) most of what we have on Undefeated is definitely alternative, but it's surely rock n roll.
At the beginning, there is feedback, high gain & distortion all around (North Of Alabama By Mornin), beguiling the tongue n cheek out in the country vibe of the title. A steady groovin grind with a skip beat, it's always good to start your albums with singles material. The heavier numbers shine more profusely throughout (The Big Time being one), gathering support off stuff like Don't Wanna Know" which actually does sound like some kinda country, maybe, if it was Pink Floyd.
Bare's playing with suspended and minor chords portraying dissonance imparts his music from the stereotypical. Especially when he gets away from anything resembling stuff lifted from any others. Did I mention he probably could play a nice waltz? There's time or two you could keep the cliched, thrown in there stuff, like whatever the title cut is supposed to be - maybe something for a sock hop? But eh, no one is perfect.
This isn't to say all the camp lacks cool. "Blame Everybody (But yourself)" comes close to working, and "As Forever Became Never Again" with it's big beat could be sprung from many generations of Proud Mary playing through your subconscious. Still, it is when they jam it strong like on closer "Don't Stand At The Store" with it's rhythmic pulse and pursuit of semi-psychedelia that Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminals Starvation League begs you to listen closer and become fulfilled.
Contact: Bloodshot Records https://www.bloodshotrecords.com
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He has no bones about giving nods to his influences and heroes, such as "Long Battle Coming" which is lifted straight out of The Animals playbook. It dead ends right into the dark brood of "Baby I Know What It's Like To Be Alone", sounding like the summer after the end of the summer of love. To have this type of introspection without being "retro", one must be authentic. No problem for Dexter Romweber, he is genuine.
You really hear and feel this on something like "Prelude In G Minor" with enough gnaw to guide the long black car slowly down the avenue by sheer pull of a two chord weight alone. Surf is up with "Blackout!" bringing the party back in focus, ghosting in a call by memory alone of one of Romweber's previous lives as a Flat Duo Jet. Keep in mind here, Duo is still part of the name.
In fact, the other half of this celebrated duo is in fact another Romweber, his sister Sara. Remember the White Stripes (they were big for a while)? One of Dex's biggest fans is Jack White, whose partner in crime was also supposed to be his sister in his power duo. While not anything like the Dex Romweber Duo, it's quite striking when you think about it. Dex is around my age, somewhere in the late 40's and considered old school to even his own generational peers. Like the end result came before the beginning. Ah but that IS rock n roll.
Contact: Bloodshot Records https://www.bloodshotrecords.com
BOBBY BARE JR'S YOUNG CRIMINALS' STARVATION LEAGUE
Bobby Bare, Jr. – Undefeated:It's always good to just listen to something and know nothing about it. In the first 30 seconds if it jumps right in you can tell if you like it or not. I was pleasantly surprised with this Bobby Bare Jr., knowing more about his famous father, the indie label Jr was on, and his label mates than he. It being one of those know not what to expect first listens I have to say I was impressed. I'd "heard" the name Bobby Bare for a long time referring to his father. Might have even had Jr's stuff pass through the shop once or twice. Just never sat and listen to his music for an extended time.
Needless to say many if not most want to clump BB Jr. into the "alternative country" genre for whatever purposes most of all family ties. I'm glad genres don't mean much in my mind because that's not what Bobby Bar Jr. is. Even including a weird 50's jersey style breakdown (If She Cared) most of what we have on Undefeated is definitely alternative, but it's surely rock n roll.
At the beginning, there is feedback, high gain & distortion all around (North Of Alabama By Mornin), beguiling the tongue n cheek out in the country vibe of the title. A steady groovin grind with a skip beat, it's always good to start your albums with singles material. The heavier numbers shine more profusely throughout (The Big Time being one), gathering support off stuff like Don't Wanna Know" which actually does sound like some kinda country, maybe, if it was Pink Floyd.
Bare's playing with suspended and minor chords portraying dissonance imparts his music from the stereotypical. Especially when he gets away from anything resembling stuff lifted from any others. Did I mention he probably could play a nice waltz? There's time or two you could keep the cliched, thrown in there stuff, like whatever the title cut is supposed to be - maybe something for a sock hop? But eh, no one is perfect.
This isn't to say all the camp lacks cool. "Blame Everybody (But yourself)" comes close to working, and "As Forever Became Never Again" with it's big beat could be sprung from many generations of Proud Mary playing through your subconscious. Still, it is when they jam it strong like on closer "Don't Stand At The Store" with it's rhythmic pulse and pursuit of semi-psychedelia that Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminals Starvation League begs you to listen closer and become fulfilled.
Contact: Bloodshot Records https://www.bloodshotrecords.com
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DEX ROMWEBER DUO - Images 13
At first I felt like I'd put on a classic Steppenwolf record on when I crunk this up. Growling bluesy vocals, lead guitar, reverb and attitude. This infusion holds for the entire album, not all of it's 60's hard rock; the Duo moves effortlessly between any number of core rock n roll styles. In the end everything from stripped down rock-a-billy (Beyond The Moonlight) to the aforesaid to a more ambient twist (Weird) reps; giving it not only an active audience but a level to aspire to put pulling that many rabbits out of a mainly two person hat. To understand why, you have to keep in mind that Dexter Romweber has been around high regards and expectations for a while.He has no bones about giving nods to his influences and heroes, such as "Long Battle Coming" which is lifted straight out of The Animals playbook. It dead ends right into the dark brood of "Baby I Know What It's Like To Be Alone", sounding like the summer after the end of the summer of love. To have this type of introspection without being "retro", one must be authentic. No problem for Dexter Romweber, he is genuine.
You really hear and feel this on something like "Prelude In G Minor" with enough gnaw to guide the long black car slowly down the avenue by sheer pull of a two chord weight alone. Surf is up with "Blackout!" bringing the party back in focus, ghosting in a call by memory alone of one of Romweber's previous lives as a Flat Duo Jet. Keep in mind here, Duo is still part of the name.
In fact, the other half of this celebrated duo is in fact another Romweber, his sister Sara. Remember the White Stripes (they were big for a while)? One of Dex's biggest fans is Jack White, whose partner in crime was also supposed to be his sister in his power duo. While not anything like the Dex Romweber Duo, it's quite striking when you think about it. Dex is around my age, somewhere in the late 40's and considered old school to even his own generational peers. Like the end result came before the beginning. Ah but that IS rock n roll.
Contact: Bloodshot Records https://www.bloodshotrecords.com