BEN REEL
Time to Get Real
B Reel CD
www.benreel.com
Pop music doesn't have to be an endless quest for novelty. The fact that Ben Reel's sixth album could have been released at any time in the past 40 years is not a put down. Music that uses conventional instrumentation and basic folk/roots/pop forms doesn't have to be humdrum and predictable - it's all down to the song. Ben Reel's songs ooze a romantic Irish melancholy and passion. 'Summers Always Here' is a gorgeous love song. On this, and several other tracks, the pure female backing vocals of Julieanne Reel (wife? sister?) really complement Ben's singing, which is not to say he's a slouch in this department himself. The other ballads, like 'Time Just Slips Away' are also strong, mixing folk, pop and alt.country influences, with lots of brushed drums, unpretentious guitar and subtle keyboards. Apparently Mr.Reel has been playing for over two decades and this is his sixth solo album in ten years, but he has managed to stay off my radar until now. For new listeners this is a good place to start.
Phil Suggitt
THE BIKINI BEACH BAND
!Viva! On Stage In London
Mad Village CD
www.bikinibeach.co.uk
The Bikini Beach Band always do the business on stage, so a live album is a logical move in some respects. They play surf music as it should be played, with considerable style, seemingly effortless instrumental dexterity and a sense of humour. This album is a faithful representation of a typical live set, as you get several fine surf originals, plus some of the bands' trademark surf instro interpretations of popular tunes like 'Planet Claire'. On the other hand, the choice of songs is curious. There are several selections from The BBB's earlier releases, such as 'Tequila Rockingbird', 'Hey Ya' and their fine version of 'Blue Monday'. Most great surf instrumental music was made to be played live, with a minimum of overdubs or studio wizardry, so the live cuts don't sound significantly different to the CD versions. The inclusion of surf standards like 'Wipeout', 'Miserlou' and 'Hawaii Five-0' makes sense towards the climax of a live set, but the songs are so well known they are not an inspired choice for a CD. This is a great introduction for new listeners, but a bit of a let down for long time fans, who will already own about half the album,
Phil Suggitt
JACK RABBIT SLIM
Hairdo's and Heartaches
Western Star CD
www.western-star.co.uk
Big Cheese magazine describe Jack Rabbit Slim as 'wild and sleazy strip-bar rockabilly', and there is plenty to support that description on the band's fourth CD, like the tune about a girl who is a '21st century Bettie Page',or 'Skin', a song with strange lyrics about mutual masturbation.. Despite plenty of stand - up bass and primal rhythms, Jack Rabbit Slim are more than your typical rockabilly combo. The title track song has a rock and roll vocal but the guitar is part Searchers, part Byrds jangle! Singer and songwriter Bob Butfoy includes enough traditional rockabilly to keep conservative rockabillies happy, but also includes interesting details from a much wider musical spectrum, (without trying for some ghastly 'crossover' ). Also Darren Lince is an inventive guitarist who doesn't just trot out safe and predictable licks.
Phil Suggitt
MILMAN-BRIGNALL ENIGMA
Bafflemania
FLorence CD
www,cdbaby,com
This collaboration between Seattle based vocalist Al Milman and multi-instrumentalist Mark Brignall was recorded in 2005 but it strongly reminds me of some of the 'neo'psyche' releases of the 80s garage revival. Milman figured in the 70s NY punk scene, but on this album he sings in several different styles.
There is an impressive psych pop-art cover painting, 'Drunken Spider', curiously lysergic song titles ('You're So Existential' etc) and lots of 60s influences. The tray photo shows Brignall with a sitar, which features heavily on 'Acka Raga''. Most of the songs feature some good instrumental passages from Milman or David Will on keyboards. The only cover is a well arranged cover of 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore'. Unfortunately several of the songs are spoilt by trying too hard to be psychedelic, with gimmicky effects, whilst other tunes lose direction or lack a really strong melody.
Phil Suggitt |
