Vocals On Top’s Top 10 albums of 2012

Posted on December 14, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

I absolutely love doing year end lists. I get excited even in the early months of the year thinking about it. Here at VocalsOnTop.com this will be my 3rd Top 10 albums of the year list.

Here is my list from 2010, headed up by Jason Collett’s Rat-A-Tat-Tat

Here is my list from 2011, headed up by Tom Waits’ Bad As Me

The 2012 winner is The Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits 

Read and enjoy my list. Also watch for my top 5 concerts of 2012 coming soon. Feel free to send me your top 10 albums list and I will post your list for you. I’d love to read them. Thank you – Clint @ VocalsOnTop

1. Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits

Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits

The Divine Fits are a supergroup made up of members Spoon and Wolf Parade most notably. Their brand of hook-laden pop for their first album is simply irresistible. Britt Daniel of Spoon steals the show here with some of the best songs he has ever written. This is an album that I can listen to repeatedly and never get tired of. It is one of very few “happy” albums I enjoyed this year as you will read below.

Key Track: “Like Ice Cream”

2. Heartless Bastards – Arrow

Heartless Bastards - Arrow

The Heartless Bastards absolutely nailed their fourth album Arrow making it the best of their career and a masterpiece by which the band will now always be measured. The heavy guitar and perfectly complimenting rhythm section make for a perfect prog-rock mix so good it almost makes me want to listen to Rush. I said almost.

Key Track: “Got To Have Rock N Roll”

3. Todd Snider – Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables

Todd Snider - Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables

Todd Snider has made a long career of having a great sense of humor and bringing it into his songs. With Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables he still has a sense of humor but it is black comedy. The album is shockingly dark, portraying little hope for humanity and anything else. It is a whole different kind of record for Snider who has successfully re-invented himself with an album that stands up with his best of his catalog.

Key Track: “In The Beginning”

4. Craig Finn – Clear Heart Full Eyes

Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes

The Hold Steady’s lead singer quietly released his first solo album in 2012 seemingly to cricket chirps. It never got a lot of publicity that I saw, but should have. You likely won’t see it in many year end lists either but I say it is very deserving of praise. Totally unlike his music with his band The Hold Steady, it highlights all the dark parts of his past, present and future, abandoning his “stay positive” moniker musically, even though he still very much is a positive guy; Clear Heart Full Eyes doesn’t reflect it. Like Todd Snider’s Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables it is a beautifully dark album.

Key Track: “Jackson”

5. Local H – Hallelujah! I’m A Bum

Local H - Hallelujah! I'm A Bum

Scott Lucas of Local H made two solo albums with his band Scott Lucas and the Married Men with a much mellower sound since the last Local H record. So Lucas had to prove he still rocked and he did so by putting out possibly Local H’s hardest rocking record yet. Hallelujah! I’m A Bum is split into two halves, a blue half for the Democrats and red half for Republicans. Released before election day it profiles the political turmoil in America but still is filled with very good, hard rocking songs.

Key Track: “Another February”

6. Will Johnson, Yim Yames, Anders Parker and Jay Farrarr – New Multitudes

Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Yim Yames, Anders Parker - New Multitudes

The alt-country super group recorded a group of Woody Guthrie lyrics that never got put to music and did a fantastic job with them. Each of the four members took on 3 songs to sing each. The result is a beautiful window in Guthrie’s lyrics. Will Johnson puts out a great effort but was overshadowed by the only unknown participant for me; Anders Parker. Parker’s tunes are simply fantastic on this compilation and are worth the price of purchase by themselves and his best contributions are on the bonus disc so be sure to pick that version up.

Key Track: “Fly High”

7. Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls

Alabama Shakes Boys & Girls

Newcomers The Alabama Shakes knocked the music world on their ass with their first record Boys & Girls. “Hold On” was easily one of the most infectious songs of the year. The band shows incredible talent for being so new to the music scene and have one of the brightest futures among any band going today.

Key Track: “Hold On”

8. Jason Collett – Reckon

Jason Collett - Reckon

Jason Collett is one of my favorite songwriters in the indie music scene. He even topped my 2010 best albums list. Because of this Reckon may have gotten a little bit of a boost in making my list but it is still a very good album. It is mellow and like all my favorite music from this year, dark.

Key Track: “I Wanna Rob A Bank”

9. Patterson Hood – Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance

Patterson Hood - Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance

The Drive-By Truckers lead singer has now released three solo albums. The first two were solid but he took a noticeable step up with Heat Lightning Rumbled in the Distance. The songs are dark and sad but they are some of the best solo work Hood has done. This album is not even a far departure from a Truckers record, but it could never be one without Mike Cooley contributing. Hood also gets credit for both the best album title of the year and best album cover of the year.

Key Track: “Better Off Without”

10. Jack White – Blunderbuss

Jack White - Blunderbuss

I know, I know; it’s on everyone’s list. I’ve made no secret of my admiration for White in the past and all of his projects. This one doesn’t blow me away the way albums like Icky Thump did but it is still a solid collection of tunes. He still comes up with great sounding songs that are somehow unique; someday his music may get old to me but that day was not in 2012.

Key Track: “I’m Shakin'”

Every Year a few albums just barely miss the cut. This year those albums for Vocals On Top were Nada Surf – The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy, Toadies – Play.Rock.Music and Lucero – Women & Work. Special mention goes to St. Joe’s own Scruffy & The Janitors who released a record of very good music in Pino which if it weren’t such a lo-fi recording might have had a shot at my list.

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Lyric of the Day: Patterson Hood – (untold pretties)

Posted on December 14, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

‎”As far as I’m concerned it was the last time I ever saw her.”

Written by Patterson Hood from the song “(untold pretties).” Off the 2012 album Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance.

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SEXWOLPH Lives!

Posted on December 11, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

Friday December 14th 2012

The Rendezvous

$3 

9pm

By Danny R. Phillips

Norway’s own Fridthjof Thorbjorn, known in outlaw country circles as SEXWOLPH, will be bringing his brand of down home awesomeness to The Rendezvous this Friday night at 9pm.  The story of SEXWOLPH is a long and winding road filled with potholes, loss and redemption.

SEXWOLPH, the alt-country project of former Black Metal God Thorbjorn, began its life as a way to find peace and explore a foreign music genre while dealing with a chapter of his life he would just as soon forget.  Following a concert in Vaxjo, Sweden and an incident that involved an inebriated goat, Cheez-Whiz, pickles and a police cruiser, Thorbjorn was charged and sentenced to five years in prison for felonious conduct with an automobile and endangering the life of intoxicated livestock.

During his incarceration, by chance Thorbjorn discovered the music of Hank Williams, Sr., Buck Owens, Manassas, The International Submarine Band and Waylon Jennings through bootleg cassettes that were circulating among the cellblock population.  While still awash in the warm glow of his discovery and subsequent transformation from Black Metal demon to Country & Western aficionado, upon his release, Thorbjorn borrow some cash and headed for Nashville, a Stella acoustic guitar in hand.

Sexwolph One Night Only!

After landing a job as a roadie and guitarist on a Garth Brooks tour, Thorbjorn came to the realization, after a night of whiskey and women, that the music he was supporting night after night was bullshit, a mere shadow of the true art form it claimed to represent.  The stop in Omaha, Nebraska was his final show on the tour. Finding the Midwest to be welcoming and a good place to hide from the world, he decided to, like his heroes Gram Parsons, Ryan Adams and Waylon Jennings before him, make the music he wanted to make without concession or compromise.

While on a beer stop in St. Joseph, SEXWOLPH met local music mainstays Chris Clark and Corey Riley of Seven Mile Drive and 80’s cover band B.O.C.C.  After many hours spent drinking and digging deep into their shared love of music, the trio formed Crash of ’29, a band in which they could share their music influenced by the alt-country movement and the acts that helped build it: Whiskeytown, Uncle Tupelo, Soul Asylum and the widely acknowledged creator of the genre, the late great Gram Parsons.

Crash of ’29 would build a steady following within the growing local music scene and play shows with such bands as Appleseed Cast, Blackpool Lights, Sun Ambulance and Old Canes before the members dismantled the band to pursue other interests.  Riley raised purebred rabbits while Clark became brewmaster at Boulevard Beer.  With ’29 no more, Thorbjorn formed Helping Hands and Sorry Sweetheart… with local scene giants “Sweet” Bobby Floyd, Colby Walter, Marcus Words and Zale Bledsoe.

Sorry Sweetheart… released a full-length album, “Trinkets and Treasures,” and several well-received eps on the @homerecords before Thorbjorn took a break to continue his obsessive need to collect vinyl records and perfect skateboard tricks.

Last summer, Thorbjorn came out of seclusion to sign a deal with local powerhouse label This Tall Records (a label founded by Zale Bledsoe) and this Friday will be SEXWOLPH’s first performance as a member of that stable.

A man progresses in life when he strives for what he loves.  He moves past childish things & finds who he truly is.  Fridthjof Thorbjorn has left his Black Metal childhood behind and has found peace and contentment in the country.  Come to The Rendezvous this Friday night, buy SEXWOLPH a beer and be part of a man who has discovered, at his heart, who he is.

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Concert Review: The Melismatics at The Rendezvous in St. Joseph, MO 12/7/12

Posted on December 10, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

You like the Melismatics. You may not know it but you like them. If you’re into punk and new wave, the Melismatics brand of guitar heavy, high-energy rock will be right up your alley. If you lean more toward radio friendly pop The Melismatics pop hooks will also be irresistible to you. They are one of those unique bands that is in-between genres that listeners from both sides enjoy their music.

The Melismatics make the about 6 hour road trip down to St. Joseph from Minneapolis a couple times a year on average and have found a home away from home at the local club The Rendezvous. The group knows many crowd members by name and appear to be well within their comfort zone on the small stage adorned by the band’s smoke machines and stage lights on this night.

The Melismatics starting their set at The Rendezvous in St. Joseph, MO on 12/7/12.

The Melismatics starting their set at The Rendezvous in St. Joseph, MO on 12/7/12.

The Melismatics took the stage confronting difficulties with the sound that it would appear would not get completely ironed out for the length of the show. Being the only band to take the stage on this night, they would go on a little later trying to get the sound right. The band showed frustration until their set officially started then the stage personas of the band members would take over. The four member group led by guitarist and vocalist Ryan Smith is very active on stage. Complimenting him on guitar and keyboards is Pony Hixon who also sings several songs. Rounding out the band is animated bassist Mark Wade and the steady beats of drummer Ron Caron.

Their set would be very well received by a late arriving crowd on this December 7th show at The Rendezvous. They would mainly concentrate on tunes from their last two albums; The Acid Test and Mania!. Massive sing-alongs always accompany favorites like “Modern Machines” and “Industry of Cool.” 80’s new wave would ooze from the Pony song “Your Love Is A Poison” and crunchy guitar adorned the quasi-duet between Hixon and Smith, “Soul Sucker.” Ryan Smith would refuse wipe the sweaty hair clinging to his forehead away as he tore into the rocker “Can’t Relate” that was highlighted by Wade’s tasty bass line and proved to be one of the best moments of the show. Smith would then dedicate a cover of the band’s hometown heroes The Replacements to local music writer Danny Phillips. Smith would comment that they were requested to play “…this exact song” as they hammered out an appropriately loose cover of “Alex Chilton.”

Ryan Smith of The Melismatics performing live at The Rendezvous in St. Joseph, MO on 12/7/12.

Ryan Smith of The Melismatics performing live at The Rendezvous in St. Joseph, MO on 12/7/12.

The band would then show their comfort level by testing out a new song, playing it for the first time with Smith commenting “At the very least, if we train wreck it’s special because it’s new.” After not train wrecking on the new tune the band went back to songs they perform nearly every show like “It’s A Drag” and “Speaking In Tongues.” They would take the screaming vocals of “Speaking In Tongues” into a “fake” encore where the band would remain on stage. They would then invite friend and local comedian Hootie Wales on stage where Wales chose an older Melismatics song, “You’re My Habit” to play guitar on to close out the evening. Another 70 minute set was added to the hours upon hours the band has logged at The Rendezvous in St. Joseph. If you missed it be sure to check the paper for their next appearance, after all, you already like them.

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Concert Review: The GasTown Lamps / Band 13 at The Cafe Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO 12/1/12

Posted on December 5, 2012 by VocalsOnTop
The GasTown Lamps and Band 13 poster from the Cafe Acoustic on 12//1/12.

The GasTown Lamps and Band 13 poster from the Cafe Acoustic on 12//1/12.

It’s hard to compete with free beer. The Cafe Acoustic went up against that with it’s December 1st show featuring The GasTown Lamps and Band 13. Magoon’s (a bar across town) was hosting “Occupy A Venue IV” forming the main competition on this night and in the past has had free beer. The Cafe Acoustic still packed a good crowd in, even with rumors of a Dsoedean reunion down at Magoon’s.

The GasTown Lamps bring the heat at the Cafe Acoustic .

The GasTown Lamps bring the heat at the Cafe Acoustic .

The GasTown Lamps would go on first and they just keep getting better. The more times they trot out their brand of bluesy rock, the better they sound. Todd Ward’s vocal style compliments his grounded guitar playing nicely with a mix of well written songs. Drummer Jason Baines has always been Ward’s shadow in music and keeps him on track. Baines’ personality transcends from behind the drumkit as he is the voice of band in-between songs always reminding the crowd to tip their bartenders at each show. The newest GasTown Lamp is bass player Steven Williamson who joined the two-piece after they already had a group of songs together. His addition has helped the band expand their sound and put a little more meat on the bones of The GasTown Lamps music.

The GasTown Lamps have put together a group of very good songs you can expect to see at their shows. The loose “Free To Run” usually starts the show and instantly makes it difficult to keep your head still. One of the bands slower songs “Out of Your Soul” is now a staple for the band as well, having no shortage of soul itself. That song may have been a turning point in the group’s sound. The band has several upbeat, noisy numbers as well like “The One To Bet On” and “Can You Get To That” that still maintain that very distinct GasTown Lamps sound. They would attempt to leave the stage after they built their set to a climax with the Neil Young inspired “If We’re Here” and their appropriate closing song “Hands In The Air.” The crowd of about 35 people gave the opening band on the night a good enough ovation they felt compelled to do one more song. They would comply by coming back and playing “Effect the Effect.”

Band 13 from Kansas City plays the Cafe Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO on 12/1/12.

Band 13 from Kansas City plays the Cafe Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO on 12/1/12.

Band 13 would make their way up from Kansas City to headline the evening at The Cafe Acoustic only to see much of the present crowd exit before they would start playing. The trio would still put forth a diligent effort to fill out their set of classic rock inspired music with energy. They would be giving away their 2011 CD Transmission From Exile and playing a few songs from it but mostly other tunes.

They had a Red Hot Chili Peppers inspired number in “Son of Saint Star Killer” and absolutely killed a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “The Immigrant Song.” They would show a little surf-billy swing by opening their set with their original song “Into The Blue” as well. The snarky humor of “Gas Station Rose” was one of the better songs on the night. They would end with a very good sounding song “Light Years” and would grant the request to play one last song. Because dancing broke out on a few songs, singer Shaun Lindsey would let the crowd know since they wanted to dance they would end with a dance number. Band 13 would then tear into a tight version of Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” They might try to tell you they hadn’t practiced it but you could tell they had.

I’m not sure what went on down at Magoon’s with the about 8 bands playing there but The Cafe had a pretty good show on this night too. Hopefully Band 13 will return soon and The GasTown Lamps are putting finishing touches on their first EP. It is set to be called “Heavy Trunk” and should be available at their shows early next year.

The GasTown Lamps setilst from 12/1/12 at Cafe Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO:

  • Free To Run
  • Cross The Line
  • Out Of Your Soul
  • The One To Bet On
  • Two Kinds
  • No Friend Of Mine
  • The Breaks
  • Call My Name
  • When The Night Comes Through
  • Can You Get To That
  • If We’re Here
  • Hands In The Air
  • Effect The Effect

Band 13 setilst from 12/1/12 at Cafe Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO:

  • Into The Blue
  • Nobody Knows
  • Last New Mystery
  • Salesman
  • Lost In Atomic Passion
  • Son of Saint Star Killer
  • Beast Boy Shindig
  • The Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover)
  • Sweet Majestic
  • Gas Station Rose
  • Zero Warning
  • The Last Living Dinosaur
  • Light Years
  • Billy Jean (Michael Jackson cover)
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Concert Review: The Sword / Gypsyhawk at The Record Bar in Kansas City, MO 12/3/12

Posted on December 5, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

Neil Young once wrote in a note to Stephen Stills: “…funny how some things that start spontaneously end that way.” The evening that led to me attending The Sword show at The Record Bar in Kansas City on December 3rd may not have ended spontaneously but it sure began that way.

The lure of a metal show is always greater after a crappy day at work. It was also a Monday so that sweetened the pot. It wasn’t until the knock on my front door by others going to The Sword show that I submitted to the urge. I packed a cooler and said I was in. What I knew about The Sword was quite possibly less than you if you are reading this. I only knew they sounded like Metallica and Black Sabbath and that I should probably bring my ear plugs.

Gypsyhawk performing live at the Record Bar in Kansas City on 12/3/12.

Gypsyhawk performing live at the Record Bar in Kansas City on 12/3/12.

Before I fell witness to The Sword I was forced to endure an opening band. This was scary because bad metal bands make me want to bang my head against the wall (ironically this might be encouraged by many of them.) Gypsyhawk took the stage in sleeveless tees and possibly more hair than any other band of four members I have ever seen. As I rolled my eyes at what I expected to see the band tore into “Overloaded” and made me think twice about my preconceptions of what I was about to see.

Gypsyhawk wasn’t a distortion filled head-banging band like I expected; they were a clean sounding ’70’s style rock band that was actually quite tight. With a bass player/singer flanked by two guitarists sharing leads they pushed a “get high” agenda making no secret of their affinity to chemical substances. They had soaring guitar leads on the opening song “Overloaded” and enticed a massive sing-along of “Live, Eat, Fight, Drink” on “Hedgeking.” They would follow with a not very surprising choice of a cover with the quintessential 70’s song “Black Betty.” They got a great response from the crowd but unfortunately seemed to have a low amount of traffic at their merchandise table for the cheers they received.

The Sword breaks eardrums at The Record Bar in Kansas City on 12/3/12.

The Sword breaks eardrums at The Record Bar in Kansas City on 12/3/12.

The Sword would make their way through the crowded bar to take the stage just before 11:00. The mental image I had of the band would be off. The guitarist with his long hair and Metallica t-shirt was really the only member to fit my idea of what I thought they looked like. Instead the band was relatively clean-cut looking and the lead singer, J.D. Cronise would be much smaller than I anticipated. Misconceptions aside, the band was all business and terribly impressive.

The group was perfectly in-time throughout the night. Their music has heavy guitar riffs and is very loud but has a very high amount of starts and stops. These starts and stops were perfectly executed by the band that was obviously a well-oiled machine. Cronise would stand over the mic and sing down at it with his thunderous voice that boomed through the small but packed venue. His vocals would still be clear and easily heard which is something that is rare for this type of music and a big reason I don’t listen to more of it. The Sword would tear through their catalog with songs like “Hidden Masters” “Arcane Montane” “Hammer of Heaven” and “Maiden, Mother & Crone.” One shirtless fan would work as the conductor of the mosh pit throughout the show with the violence of the pit likely reaching its peak during the slam-dance rocker “Tres Brujas.”

The Sword would end their regular set with the lead song from their newest record Apocryphon, “Veil of Isis.” Unable to climb back through the dense crowd for a proper encore, they would remain on stage to take a short break before capping off their 80 minute set with the standard gig enders “Baraels’s Blade” and “Winter’s Wolves.”

Gypsyhawk setlist from The Record Bar in Kansas City, MO 12/3/12:

  • Overloaded
  • The Fields
  • Hedgeking
  • The Red Wedding
  • Black Betty
  • Commander of the High Forrest
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Concert Review: Scruffy & The Janitors / The Factory Workers at The First Ward House in St. Joseph, MO 11/30/12

Posted on December 4, 2012 by VocalsOnTop
Scruffy & The Janitors album release poster.

Scruffy & The Janitors album release poster.

It’s the crowning achievement for a band; there is no show more special than an album release party. The excitement and buildup of the evening is the payoff of countless hours of writing, practice and recording. Scruffy & The Janitors cashed in on their hard work $10 at a time at The First Ward House on November 30th by selling their recorded music for the first time.

Pino was officially unveiled and sold to a very good response. The bartenders at The First Ward would be running around frantically trying to keep the crowd’s thirsts quenched at the packed pub. Many musicians filled the large crowd including the whole band Radkey, nearly all of Missouri Homegrown, Marcus Words, country musicians Aaron Blumer and Casey Brett and of course opening act The Factory Workers.

The Factory Workers performing at the First Ward House in St. Joseph, MO.

The Factory Workers performing at the First Ward House in St. Joseph, MO.

The Factory Workers would pound out their standard high volume set. They are a Kansas City duo but feel like a St. Joseph band because they come north so often; they even played Joestock. They have a heavy, blues guitar sound coated with thunderous drums and loud cymbal crashes. Their sound is nicely summed up by their cover of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful” that they did in the style of Cream’s version.

The Factory Workers sound would be less abrasive than their recent St. Joseph shows. They would still have their vocals muddied by thick guitar licks and pounding drums but would have possibly their best local show in a year. Originals like “My Main Man, Man” were solid and are feeling more familiar the more they play in town. The crowd responded well to the band which was an accomplishment because they were playing in front of several new faces and they definitely won over new fans.

The fuzz guitar of “Post Meridian” by Scruffy & The Janitors would be the next music the crowd would hear as they would begin performing their entire record Pino, as sequenced on the album. With friends and family looking on they emphatically tore through their blues filled numbers. Guitarist Teriq Newton would stomp on the bar’s hard wood floors while using his long blonde hair and the tails of his paisley shirt as weapons in the band’s visual show.

Scruffy & The Janitors officially unveiling their first album Pino at The First Ward.

Scruffy & The Janitors officially unveiling their first album Pino at The First Ward.

The songs from the record would be highlighted by Teriq Newton putting down his guitar and blowing his harp on “Use Me Up” and the sweet serenade “Rosie” by lead singer Steven Foster as a solo acoustic performance. Drummer Trevin Newton, who is the most improved musician in the band over recent months, even got a chance to shine with a short but sweet drum solo before “Use Me Up.”

The post-Pino part of the set would include three covers and three originals. The new song “Harry Truman” once again impressed and appears to be bound for the group’s sophomore album. They would get a well deserved encore and after having to wait for the band to set up for a bit the crowd would be rewarded with a quiet, sincere cover of The Avett Brothers’ “I Would Be Sad” with Trevin stepping out from behind his drum kit to play mandolin.

Scruffy & The Janitors first album, Pino is now available at a couple locations. I recommend you stop by the Cafe Acoustic on December 8th and pick one up after listening to the boys make some noise. If you can’t make it there, swing by St. Joseph’s favorite record store The Lucky Tiger and pick up a copy.

Scruffy & The Janitors setlist from 11/30/12 at The First Ward House in St. Joseph, MO:

  • Post Meridian
  • Know It All
  • There’s A Ghost
  • Stick Around
  • Plain Jane
  • Use Me Up
  • Rosie
  • Poor Boy
  • I Will Pick You Up
  • Dupe
  • Crow Jane (Skip James cover)
  • Dirty Hands
  • Blue Balls
  • She Don’t Use Jelly (Flaming Lips cover)
  • Harry Truman
  • I Would Be Sad (The Avett Brothers cover)
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250 Word Album Review: Amanda Shires – Carrying Lightning

Posted on November 29, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

Amanda Shires - Carrying Lightning

Amanda Shires - Carrying Lightning gets 3 Stars

Amanda Shires has a sweet, gentle voice that is so fragile you feel it could break at any time. It is no surprise that heartbreak is a common theme on her record Carrying Lightning and it is well done. The songs aren’t too mopey and the accompanying music is just upbeat enough to keep the record from being a depressing affair.

It’s easy to hear traces of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell in Shires’ songs as well as Leonard Cohen and Todd Snider but the songs here are distinct to her as well, she isn’t ripping anybody off. The songs are very distinct on this album not only because the lack of guitar solos but that the solos are replaced by violin. Shires highlights her violin skills at several points throughout the album.The late album track “Lovesick I Remain” is a microcosm of what the album represents. Her voice builds to a point of almost giving out by the abrupt end of the song. The desperation of “Shake These Walls” and the sweet chorus of “Slo Gin” are tracks to take notice of as well.

One song soars above the others on Carrying Lightning as undoubtedly the best on the record. The song “When You Need A Train It Never Comes” has a classic feel like one of those songs you will tell friends about for years to come. Sometimes one song can be good enough it makes the rest of a solid album seem not quite as good as it is, “When You Need A Train It Never Comes” does this to Carrying Lightning.

Key Tracks: “When You Need A Train It Never Comes” “Detroit or Buffalo” “Slo Gin”

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Concert Review: Blue Oyster Culture Club / Dolewite / Radkey at the American Legion in St. Joseph, MO 11/21/12

Posted on November 25, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

Cover bands play music for people who don’t like music. There is a large group of who don’t care what is going on in the music world and pay no attention to what the next great band might be. These people did care about music once in most cases but other things in life have replaced the part of them that once was concerned with concerts and records.

They don’t want to see a band do something new and creative. They have reached their musical capacity and don’t want to hear a song they have never heard before. This is where Blue Oyster Culture Club (B.O.C.C.) and Dolewite come in. B.O.C.C. plays a smooth blend of 1980s cover songs while Dolewite plays rap and hip-hop covers from the early 1990s.

Editorial Note: This review is exclusive to VocalsOnTop.com, I also wrote a less opinionated and more observational review for tuningfork.tv. You can read that article here.

The “Night Before Thanksgiving Throwdown” features these two bands annually and is quite a big deal in St. Joseph. The show, now in its 4th year, has to be held at the American Legion because the size of the crowds can’t be contained by any of the other “traditional” venue in town. This show brings out people who haven’t been to any concerts all year because music is simply not a priority for them. They will pack in the smokey American Legion along with about 1000 other people and sing aloud to the songs that were popular back when they cared about music.

Blue Oyster Cluture Club / Dolewite / Radkey Thanksgiving Eve 2012 poster.

Blue Oyster Cluture Club / Dolewite / Radkey Thanksgiving Eve 2012 poster.

At the less than ripe time of 7:30 the first band would take the stage. This year a third band would be added to fill out the bill and in vast contrast to the two cover bands that would take the stage later in the night, Radkey, a band that writes their own songs, would play. Radkey makes sense at this show though. They aren’t a cover band and don’t play 80’s music (like B.O.C.C.) or rap (like Dolewite) and they play punk rock. The reason they fit is that they may the best band in town. This night showcased the biggest bands in St. Joseph so it makes perfect sense to add the one of the most talented group of musicians in town writing their own material to the bill.

Radkey hammered out 8 of their best tunes to a fairly decent crowd response. Decked out in their typical shtick of jean jackets and flannel they blasted through a half hour set of all original songs. They would tempt the early crowd to come closer by assuring them “It will sound better if you come closer to the stage.” The three brothers would force themselves to perform an intense set highlighted by many of their standard tunes. “Out Here In My Head” is always a personal favorite for me as is the big chorus of “Mind Ride.” They would take on “Cat & Mouse” after a little self-promoting that they have a spiffy music video for the song. Then they would end by playing “N.I.G.G.A. (Not Okay)”, a song that is a statement about how it isn’t okay to spell the word that way. I initially thought the song was a little gimmicky and didn’t like it much but it has now sunk its hooks into me and I can’t resist the big chorus.

Radkey rocking out live at the 2012 Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion show in St. Joseph.

Radkey rocking out live at the 2012 Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion show in St. Joseph.

Much to my surprise Blue Oyster Culture Club would make their way to the stage next. There was no doubt in my mind they were the main attraction so I was shocked to see them take the stage at 8:25. The early start time would be necessary for the band as their set would clock in at over two full hours without a break.

The sing-alongs would be plentiful at this show. It would be a perfect show for anyone not wanting to hear anything new. The band has a ton of talent so they nail the songs and still maintain the big hooks, keeping everyone into the show. Guitar-heavy cover tunes like “Whip It” and “The Gambler” were highlights for me because of how much they differed from the originals. Some covers were straight forward and not very entertaining unless you wanted to try to shout over the person next to you (which many people did). I’m looking at you “Jukebox Hero” “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Purple Rain.”

Some personal favorites were hearing a Springsteen song (“Dancing In The Dark”) and an absolute tear-a-hole-in-your-head rocking version of the Ramones “I Wanna Be Sedated.” The latter song being a rare moment where B.O.C.C. let the wheels fly off and really jammed. “Boys of Summer” was good and so was the gentle pop of the now dated “Video Killed The Radio Star” but most songs fell in the jukebox category. It was appropriate that the band played “Jukebox Hero” because essentially that is what they were, jukebox heroes. They were simply that cool 1980s playlist we all keep tucked away on our iPods. A crowded bar with these songs ringing from the jukebox with this amount of alcohol flowing would garner a very similar response. It would also not be lost on me the beautiful irony that Blue Oyster Culture Club would not perform any songs by Blue Oyster Cult or Culture Club. I wonder if anyone else noticed that?

Blue Oyster Culture Club busting out some covers at the 2012 Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion show in St. Joseph.

Blue Oyster Culture Club busting out some covers at the 2012 Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion show in St. Joseph.

Dolewite would get on stage after a long half hour of switching out equipment. Many of the attendees would leave during this time if they came to see B.O.C.C. The crowd that was sparsely spread out for the earlier part of the show would pack up to the front as everyone who was still there was there to see Dolewite.

The about seven member band would switch vocal responsibilities according to what rap songs they were mimicking at the time. Many of the members were wearing big gold chains to fit the part they were playing. Other accessories included sunglasses in the dark venue and backwards baseball caps. The setlist for Dolewite contained no big surprises. “Ghetto Superstar” would start things off and move into rap favorites like “Nothin’ But A “G” Thang” and “O.P.P.” causing massive sing alongs and waving hands in the air.

A female vocalist would help Dolewite attempt songs like “Shoop” and “It Takes Two” as well as performing the very important intro to “Baby Got Back.” By this point thousands upon thousands of dollars in alcohol had flowed through the bloodstreams of the eager audience making them dance crazy and act like they were 18 again so the crowd was quite worked up and crazy. I wanted to see Dolewite to know what the group was like and I’m glad I did. If you don’t like any rap or hip-hop I wouldn’t recommend them though.

Dolewite making the whole room bounce at the 2012 Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion show in St. Joseph.

Dolewite making the whole room bounce at the 2012 Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion show in St. Joseph.

The night that started with hard-edged originals by youngsters Radkey had come full circle with B.O.C.C. covering the sing-along classics then Dolewite letting the crowd indulge in their secret love of early rap and hip-hop. Exhausted, I looked back at the show and realized that the short half-hour set by the rowdy boys of Radkey was the best part.  It is safe to say Dolewite is not the band for me. B.O.C.C. was an entertaining band to see but I have all those songs on my Now That’s What I Call 80’s cd. Next year I recommend you attend; drink, smoke; sing and dance; I’ll see what is going on elsewhere.

Radkey setlist from Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion in St. Joseph, MO:

  • Where Do You Stand
  • Mind Ride
  • Is He Alright?
  • Out Here In My Head
  • Little Man
  • Pretty Things
  • Cat & Mouse
  • N.I.G.G.A. (Not Okay)

Blue Oyster Culture Club setilst from Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion in St. Joseph, MO:

  • (Don’t You) Forget About Me
  • Jesse’s Girl
  • Whip It
  • Safety Dance
  • Here Comes The Rain Again
  • Straight Up
  • Let’s Go Crazy
  • Video Killed The Radio Star
  • Boys of Summer
  • Jukebox Hero
  • Holiday Road
  • Pride
  • Dancing In The Dark
  • I Wanna Be Sedated
  • Purple Rain
  • The Darkside
  • When Doves Cry
  • Get Out Of My Dreams
  • Total Eclipse of the Heart
  • The Gambler
  • Take On Me
  • I Would Walk 500 Miles
  • C’mon Eileen
  • Love Is A Battlefield
  • Rebel Yell
  • Don’t Stop Believing
  • Lose Yourself

Dolewite’s partial setilst from Thanksgiving Eve show at the American Legion in St. Joseph, MO:

  • Ghetto Superstar
  • O.P.P.
  • Nothin’ But A “G” Thang
  • Bust A Move
  • Brass Monkey
  • Shoop
  • The Humpty Dance
  • It Takes Two
  • Baby Got Back
  • Paul Revere
  • California Love
  • Jump Around
  • Insane in the Brain
  • Killing Me Softly
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250 Word Album Review: JIP – Sparks, Flames & Names EP

Posted on November 25, 2012 by VocalsOnTop

JIP - Sparks, Flames & Names EP

JIP - Sparks, Flames & Names EP gets 4 Stars

JIP is a Chicago band and you can tell it with one listen of the Sparks, Flames & Names EP released this year.  It is an unconventional EP because each track features a different guest musician. Normally this could lead to an erratic and disconnected collection of songs but the 7 songs still remain a tight, related group.

The catalyst among all the guest vocalists on the record is that JIP vocalist Jim Gwynn sings on all of the songs as well connecting the tracks. Gwynn’s distinct vocals compliment the well written songs songs with big hooks that stick in your head. The big, repeated hooks appear in all of the EP’s best tracks like “Shift” “Our City by the Lake” and “Meant to Pass.”

Narrowing down the musical influences on the Sparks, Flames & Names EP is a bit of a pointless endeavor.  You can hear pieces of tons of music you have heart but it is taken from such a large variety that it really doesn’t sound too much like any artist as a whole. At times the music is adorned with acoustic strums like on “Shift” and sometimes dirty, heavy guitar like on “Shudder.”

“Shift” contains the best guest vocals on the album with help from Shaun Hague while Nickolas Blazina helps “Our City by the Lake” become the best song on the record. The best part of the album is when Gwynn screeches “…my voice might strain…”  just on the edge of his vocal range in “Our City by the Lake.” The EP is a very smooth listen overall. The hooks on “Shift” and “Meant to Pass” alone will keep you coming back for more each time.

Key Tracks: “Our City by the Lake” “Shift” “Meant to Pass”

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