Review: The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers - Grizzled

The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers - Grizzled
2009, The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers

When you are surrounded by a brutal Alaskan Winter you find an outlet for energies or you go insane. For The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers, that outlet is a classic blend of Americana Music: Southern Rock and Blues dressed in dark lyrics and dash of authentic Country Rock Nashville hasn't seen in a few years. Joe Erickson (drums) and Russell Biggs (guitar/vox) got the ball rolling, eventually bringing Elizabeth Dubey (vox, keys), Jonathan Russell (guitar), Mark Kimmins (harmonica) and Mack Rogers (bass) into The Council. The band's debut album, Grizzled, features songwriting they'd be proud of in Texas, R&B based Country they'd be proud of in Mississippi and a commercial touch that Nashville will go ga-ga for.

Grizzled opens with the tasty guitar licks of Tupelo Road, a brand of Texas Country/Rock that sounds vaguely likely Harper Valley P.T.A.. Lyle Lovett and Ernest Tubb’s influences can be heard here in a classic bit sounding tune. The Best That I Could Do hits full on the Rhythm And Blues roots of Rock N Roll with a bit of honky-tonk thrown in for good measure. Try not to dance when this song spins; you can't do it. The rhythm and energy are irrepressible. Chicken In The Pan won't win many members from the Gloria Steinham society for progressive thought, but it's great Rock N Roll. Once again, you won't be able to hold back the urge to dance or at least tap your feet.

The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers are first class musicians, but their charm is amplified by vocalist Russell Biggs. Biggs has enough of that Rock N Roll magnetism in his voice to hook listeners and enough country in there to appeal to the boots and chaps crowd. Leaving Little Rock is a prime example of this, with Biggs coming across as a mix of Jon Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks. The commercial potential here is huge. Pocketfull Of Holes is a classic hard-luck song about picking up the pieces and moving on, even if you have practically nothing left. The song is incredibly catchy and will stick in your noggin; it's perfect radio fodder. Down And Out recalls a one night stand in classic country singer/songwriter style. The trip down memory lane is a sweet reminiscence for the narrator. The Council winds things up with Grass Soup, an interesting and subtle dig at the inequality of wealth in society. Grass Soup is written from the perspective of those on the bottom of the socioeconomic spectrum, accepting their lot and trying to make the best of it. The wit here is deep and cutting.

The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers are en eclectic bunch, mixing Rock, R&B, Country and Blues in an Americana blend that sets them apart from the crowd. Strong songwriting, consummate musicianship and a dynamic front man in Russell Biggs potentially sets the stage for big things for the band. Grizzled is everything you could want in a debut album. Take all of the above and add a commercial touch that Music City has forgotten how to achieve; with the right break, could be one of the biggest country albums of the year. At the very least it deserves a spot on end-of-year lists. Take some time with The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers, and don't mind the cold. It's an essential part of the sound.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Council Of Smokers And Drinkers at http://www.thecouncil.serifweb.com/. You can purchase a download of Grizzled on iTunes. CD copies will be available on CDBaby.com in the near future.

Review: Brent Amaker And The Rodeo - Howdy Do

Brent Amaker And The Rodeo – Howdy Do
2008, Gravewax Records

Brent Amaker And The Rodeo bring a gothic style to classic country music on their second album, Howdy Do. Amaker sounds like a cross between Phil Harris and Johnny Cash with inertial melody lines that don’t require significant vocal stretches, or outright spoken word parts in place of vocals. Formed from the remains of various Seattle area bands in 2005, Brent Amaker And The Rodeo have found their sound on Howdy Do, focusing on sparse instrumentation (guitar and two-piece drum kit) and Amaker’s iconic voice.

Howdy Do opens with I’m The Man Who Writes The Country Hits, sounding like classic Johnny Cash updated for today. When Love Gets To A Man continues in the classic vein with a cynical eye on the concept of love. Howdy Do is a fun classic country romp full of double entendres and barely disguised intentions. Girls Are Good is Amaker’s ode to Gloria Steinham (check it out to see what I mean). Knock You Out is a song that many readers will identify with, even if from daydreams. There is someone in your life you’ll want to dedicate this one to. The highlight of the album is This Is The Gun. It’s the catchiest, most interesting composition on Howdy Do. Other highlights include They Make Cowboys In Montana, Walkin’ In My Sleep and My Cheatin’ Wife.

Brent Amaker And The Rodeo bring country music back to its most basic, bare-bones form on Howdy Do. The stylistic comparisons to Johnny Cash abound, from the singing style to the bare instrumentation to the fact that Brent Amaker dresses all in black. These songs are simplistic, yet have a rough and tumble nature that make them endearing. Amaker will shock and surprise you throughout the thirteen songs presented on Howdy Do. We found it very entertaining, although it is probably only an occasional listen going forward.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Brent Amaker And The Rodeo at www.myspace.com/brentamakerandtherodeo or http://www.brentamaker.com/. You can purchase a copy of Howdy Do at www.cdbaby.com/cd/barodeo.