Various Artists on Voodoo Rhythm Records - Records to Ruin Any Party (2011)

One of new favorite record labels is Voodoo Rhythm Records. I have posted about great bands such as King Automatic, and King Khan & the Shrines, all of which are signed to Voodoo. They have recently come out with a compilation, 'Records to Ruin Any Party' which features some of their up and coming musicians. My favorite is the third album, Volume three. Voodoo Rhythm seems to sign bands that play the Blues, Bluegrass, Rock-a-billy, and Garage/Punk Rock. But all of their artists seem to be slightly off, in a good way, like they fell off the back of a gypsy wagon. Bands like 'The Dead Brothers", "Pussywarmers", "Zeno Tornado", and "Hipbone Slim & The Knee-Tremblers" definitely meet the above description. Their Bluegrass is my personal favorite. " Possessed By Paul James" and "Andy Dale Petty" are phenomenal. Petty's guitar plucking reminds me of original delta blues that has taken the next step forward. King Khan had this to say about Petty: "I met Andy Dale Petty in Huntsville, Alabama, he had a magazine in his pocket with all the state train routes in it and was telling me about how he loved to hop trains like the hobos back in the day. He taught me how to run next to a train and hop it, always make sure you can see the spokes in the wheel turning, if you can't then the train is too fast and you might loose a limb or two or your head." I think that best sums up what Andy Dale Petty is all about. My favorite Garage/Blues Rock bands are the "Come N' Go", "Roy and the Devil's Motorcycle", "John Schooley", and the standout band "The Juke Joint Pimps". Their song on the compilation 'Dust My Broom' doesn't do them justice, as it is just okay. But their own albums have tracks that rival the Black Keys. Check out '4 Seasons Love' and their new song 'Delta Trip' which is off their new album. This band kicks ass. The other albums in the compilation volumes I and II are okay, but in my opinion the third one is the one worth buying. Check out "The Super Supers" track name 'Mama Soul' on Volume I, as well as "The Get Lost!" song 'Boogiehut'. Mama Soul sounds like the Duder was playing it in his ride while drinking a White Russian in the Big Lebowski. As far as 'Boogiehut" it's just...it's just...did the Sonics get back together? Cause this song is fucking killer. Check out a sample of the Dead Brothers below, which is a good representation of what Voodoo Rhythm Records is all about.

Paul James - Possessed By Paul James (2007)

Paul James, or Possessed by Paul James (whichever you prefer, as he goes by both names) is far and away my new favorite blues/bluegrass artist. He is a featured performer on the Voodoo Rhythm Records label, which is how I discovered his beloved talents. Paul's real name is Konrad Wert, and he is from the swamps of Immokalee, Florida (rad). He was raised Mennonite with Amish roots, but don't expect toned down, dispassionate, drab and dreary traditional jams. Paul James is raw, full of gut-wrenched carnal yelps, and it almost seems like he himself is possessed, and that stage name was meant as a warning. The songs are not for the faint of heart. Some are about loosing one's mind like in "Committed," or the taboo feelings regarding a loved one's suicide in "Colorofmybloodynose," and for resentment over people giving up see "No Windows." His songs are about life's perplexity; full of contradiction, rage, and if nothing else, the commitment to being absolutely forthright, consequences be damned. The melody of acustic guitar and banjo strings seems to almost put the listener in a trance. Where I feel like I am becoming one of those people overcome by the holy spirit at some crazy week long baptist revival. Definitely check this guy out, especially my favorite song "Cold and Blind" which is not on the album but can be seen below. Cheers.

The SteelDrivers - Reckless (2010)

The bluegrass streak continues, and I am excited! The Quickcrit faithful are probably well aware of my bone-deep affinity for The SteelDrivers, and their new album "Reckless" is ridiculous. For those not familiar with The SteelDrivers I will say this band makes me want to read more, so I can have a better understanding of the English language and poetically describe their sound to strangers. I just said I want to read more people; let that sink in for a minute. This is one powerful force of a band. Chris Stapleton's vocals and songwriting is some of the best I've heard in years, in any genre, and the plucky banjo combined with the country-road fiddlin' is very simple, special and essential, all at the same time. There's something about bluegrass, especially The SteelDrivers, that reminds me of the basic things. Simple things that give me a shit-eating grin and a bounce in my step, even though they both don't come around an awful lot. But when they do, they can make your week. Few quick examples: using the word "chagrin" in a sentence, and hearing the phrase "Smith converts on 3rd down".* They both happen, but not nearly enough. This last example is somewhat abstract, but I felt obliged to mention it anyway. I live in a fairly metropolitan city, full of traffic jams, alarm clocks, tall buildings, and concrete. I must say it's easy to forget that the whole world does not look this way, and operate on deadlines, paperwork, and bus schedules. I am reminded of this reality by surprise twice a month when the street-sweepers push the leaves, and dirt into a gigantic pile next to where I park my car. When I leave for work at three in the morning I am hit with a big earthy smell, which instantly reminds me that the food I eat does not come from Safeway. The SteelDrivers hit me like that compost heap and wake my sleepwalking soul. They are like that jolt of earthy goodness that puts me at ease and a smile on my face. The whole album is great, but some songs that need to be checked out are "Where Rainbows Never Die", which is high in the runnings for my favorite song of 2010. Also listen to "Can You Run" and "You Put The Hurt On Me". Enjoy folks!

*Sorry to non-Niner fans who might not get the reference.

FNBP: Spaten Oktoberfest & Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

I know what you're thinking, because I'm thinking the same thing — It is not Friday and the events I'm about to pair have already passed. How inept can I get? Nevertheless, I move forward. 

Nearly everything I know about the history of bluegrass I learned from a Robert Earl Keen song. I think there was a time in college when I alienated myself from nearly everyone on my dorm room floor by listening to country and bluegrass, but honestly, I couldn’t have cared less. The DMXes of the world come and go, but there is an enduring factor to those old-timey sounds that trumps the need to conform musically with your peers. Although the particular beverage I enjoyed at the time of alienation was probably something on the lower end of the cost spectrum, for this Hardly Strictly pairing I'd like to bring out the gourmet (ironically, I sipped Modelo Especial for the bulk of the weekend). Meet Spaten Oktoberfest. 

Out of Munich, the origin of the fall festival, the Oktoberfest edition is subtly sweet and reminds me of a slightly cloudy Belgian. It is crisp and refreshing, but has a slightly strange aftertaste. The pairing goes well not only because of the timing, but also due to the strong associations I have with Oktoberfest, bluegrass and being outdoors. For live bluegrass I enjoyed the Bright Eyes front-man Conor Oberst, Bonnie Prince Billy and Robert Earl Keen Jr. on Saturday followed by Lucero, James McMurtry, Randy Newman, a fleeting moment of Elvis Costello, Yonder Mountain String Band and, finally, The Avett Brothers. I must admit, I was most impressed going in and coming out of the weekend with a longstanding QuickCrit favorite, Lucero. Absolutely worth the "early" start-time arrival.  In totality, certainly hardly, strictly bluegrass, but quite entertaining and especially so considering the event is free to all. 

Bluegrass, and derivatives thereof, to me is front-porch-music that seems to resonate with old souls and young ruffians alike. Oktoberfest was originally conceptualized around a horse race and agricultural show, so the event, and therefore the beer that bares the name, has rustic and outdoorsy undertones that parallel the stripped down appeal of bluegrass music. A great combo... any time of year.

Friday Night Beer Pairing: Miller High Life & Valient Thorr

After fleeing their overpopulated and war-torn home of Venus, Valient Thorr settled in North Carolina. Since their arrival, the other 49 states are in debt. They have a very unique sound not of this earth, if you will. They have been spreading positive vibrations on an insane touring regime that has only been interrupted by Valient Himself donating one of his kidneys to his earthling father. The band is a hybrid of punk, bluegrass, and metal that is very unique, and so good. It feels as if I am listening to Adolescents, Sir Lord Baltimore, Thin Lizzy, and the dueling banjos of Deliverance all at the same time. Because of this reason, it reminds me of several different times in my life, and there is only one beer that represents my drinking life since its inception at the precious age of 14. Miller High Life.

The first time that I drank a High Life was with my old friend Miles Leland. It is a little bit creepy, because he has two first names, and his infatuation with High Life was due to his attraction to the babe on the moon. Little did I know his genius, and the way he would change my life. The ways that I enjoy High Life is just as dynamic as Valent Thorr. Its a perfect beer for camping, watching a movie, road trips, river rafting, chilling at the beach, chores, listening to tunes... but especially for partying super fucking hard. This song reminds me of riding my bike in Santa Cruz, looking for chicks...failing miserably, then getting super trashed with brosephs and getting in a ton of trouble. I saw Valient Thorr last year, and it was the best show I had seen in a long time. I was there with friends, drinking High Life, headbanging with my foot on the monitors, and pouring every third beer on my head. It was amazing. High Life and Valient Thorr remind me of not giving a shit, getting heated, and making bad decisions. Put the video on, get a High Life, and get ready to make bad decisions.

The SteelDrivers – The SteelDrivers (2008)

I would first like to say that I promise to start reviewing 2009 albums soon, but I felt obliged to share the SteelDrivers with the Quickcrit faithful. Overall, Bluegrass lately has disappointed me. However the SteelDrivers have been an absolute joy. If you aren’t into Bluegrass, I would say you probably haven’t given it a fair shake, in which case, I would advise watching O’Brother Where Art Thou’ and buying the SteelDrivers self titled release. These guys and gal aren’t your typical Bluegrass band. By that I mean make slow, put me to sleep gospel tracks. They have more of a blues/rock n’ roll tone, yet retain the twangy banjo, beechnut in my check fire in my boots fiddlin, and the utterly necessary high pitched lonesome sound. Chris Stapleton is the singer song writer and is amazing, think Eric Clapton as a Nashville outlaw. It seems “Blue Side Of The Mountain” is getting all the accolades due to it’s Grammy nomination, and don’t get me wrong it’s an awesome song, but I feel “If It Hadn’t Been For Love”* is their best jam. Stapleton’s simple chorus of “Four cold walls against my will, at least I know she’s lying still”, a song about murdering his lover, still sends chills up my spine. Stellar album all the way through, and I would definitely recommend this as a Bluegrass/Country fan, and as a nice change of pace if you are so inclined.

*Tracks “If It Hadn’t Been For Love”, “Hear The Willow Cry”, and “Sticks That Made Thunder”, are song numbers 6-8 and are sublime back to back to back.