Alberta Cross - ATX [Single] (2009)

There are very few album releases that I have anxiously anticipated more than Alberta Cross' first full-length LP, Broken Side of Time... Chinese Democracy is certainly an example. At this point, I have used and abused both of AC's EP releases—Leave Us Or Forgive Us and The Thief & The Heartbreaker—nearly to the point of delirium. Accordingly, I was exponentially stoked when the new track, "ATX," was posted on Alberta Cross' MySpace page recently. The track cranks the AC sound and style up a few notches with reverberating guitar riffs and rumbling bass, that is somewhat similar to Kings of Leon when they lay down some hard rock. This is not the folky, country rooted Alberta Cross from the aforementioned 07/08 EPs, but the guitar driven, hard rocking Cross that (apparently) releases full-length albums. Perhaps a foreshadowing of what to expect, but I hope that this extremely talented quintet does a little bit of everything on the album to be... it has been too long my friends!

Check out this solid shot of AC's South by Southwest performance of "ATX." The album, Broken Side of Time, is slated to be released on September 22nd, but I won't hold my breath...

Booker T. - Potato Hole (2009)

Booker T. & The MG's used to be my favorite band and STAX Records is still the baseline by which I measure all other soul music, past and present. So while I no longer listen to the MGs regularly, Potato Hole was still a must listen. Plus, it features Neil Young and the Drive-By Truckers. That's a pretty dynamite, if not quite intuitive, combination. Obviously, Young is a very different guitarist than Booker's old parter, Steve Cropper. However, the best songs are the ones that feature the fuzz and crunch of Young's guitar because it provides such a nice contrast to the B-3's clear and warbling rings. In particular, I like the gritty and soulful grind of "Pound It Out" and the lyrical organ on "Native New Yorker". The mellow second half of the album isn't quite as good as the more upbeat first half, and although it is isn't as awesome as it could be, it more than satisfies this fan.

Grand Archives - The Grand Archives (2008)

Mat Brooke knows how to make beautiful dreamy pop music. It's like his old group Band of Horses, but not nearly as depressed. He's also dropped most of the ringing guitars and the Neil Young influence in favor of vocal harmonies and some well-placed whistling. The songs are generally sweet and slow yet still catchy. "Torn Blue Foam Couch" and "Index Moon" are just gorgeous. The album closes with rollicking "The Crime Window", which reminds me of the Beach Boys' party version of "Barbara Ann". Highly recommended.