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10 Signs Rock & Roll is Not Dead
We all know rock & roll ain’t dead, of course. But pop culture media outlets persist, assuming that every arena pop goddess and new electronic adventure means the death of guitar, bass and drums. Rock may arguably never again be the bestselling, influential force it once was, but it still kills. Apologies to Lee Bains & the Glory Fires, Archie Powell & the Exports, Neil Young & Crazy Horse and all the other folks who put out kick-ass records recently – only 10 slots allowed.
The Cribs – The Parish (Austin, TX) – June 12, 2012
The Cribs’ postpunk & roll is fine enough on record, but in concert, when the band eschews its intricacies and just blasts it out, is where its music really comes alive. Guitarist Ryan Jarman’s distinctive mic technique – he circles it like a lion circles its prey, even when he’s singing – is fascinating to watch as well.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock (Polyvinyl)
This Vancouver duo doesn’t bother with slick production or gimmicks – it just blazes away on a set of singalong anthems with enough “whoa-oas” for everybody.
Royal Headache – s/t (What’s Your Rupture)
The recording quality is for crap, especially on the vocals, but the spirit and tunes shine through on this young Australian quartet’s debut. There’s a Jam flavor running through these catchy rock tunes, plus hints of a 60s soul influence, but the band’s sound is pretty much its own.
Biters – It’s All Chewed Up, OK? (Understated)
A writer friend recently described this Atlanta quartet, which grew out of the short-lived but beloved Heart Attacks, as “Cheap Trick meets Thin Lizzy.” That pretty much sums it up – big rock power meets even bigger hooks. A fantastic live act, too.
Black Box Revelation – My Perception (Merovee)
Basically what I love about this bluesy Belgian duo is that it takes its cues more from mid-60s Rolling Stones than Zeppelin. Catchy songs and loads of rock & roll passion.
Ginger Wildheart – 555% (self-released)
The Wildhearts leader recently made waves when 100%, the commercially released single-disk version of this Pledge Music-funded record, debuted in the top 10 on the British charts. This three-disk version was sent only to pledgers, but it’s crammed with enough melodies and ideas to make the eBay hunt worth it.
The BellRays – Black Lightning (Cobraside)
Riverside, California’s mighty BellRays fully rebound from the loss of guitarist/songwriter Tony Fate with a monstrously powerful batch of soul-on-fire rock & roll songs. Singer Lisa Kekaula is like Rob Tyner and Aretha Franklin rolled up in one larynx, and her husband Robert Vennum keeps the riffs flowing fast ‘n’ furious.
Slug Guts – Playin’ in Time With the Deadbeat (Sacred Bones)
More Australian goodness, but from the opposite end of the spectrum. The quartet’s long-gone countrymen the Birthday Party are the most obvious influence, but to call the Guts a BP clone is to do them a disservice, as there’s a sense of grace and groove that’s entirely their own.
John Paul Keith – The Man That Time Forgot (Big Legal Mess)
Memphis rocker-about-town Keith fills his second LP under his own name with country, rock, soul and everything else that stokes fires before the Beatles hit. Plus good songs. Lots of ‘em.
JD McPherson – Signs & Signifiers (HiStyle/Rounder)
McPherson sounds like he’s never heard a record made after 1959, yet his R&B-driven rockabilly sounds like a breath of fresh air in these Autotune-saturated times. Plus I’m dying to know what the book he’s holding in his hand on the cover is.
