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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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'Round the Dial: Into the wild blue Yonder
Friday 27 April @ 13:26:28 |
 TOM HALLETT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "I'm a nursery-school drop-out."--Corey Feldman
SONG OF THE WEEK: "Where Do Ya Draw The Line"--Dead Kennedys
Howdy, faithful readers, dorky detractors and curious lookie-loos alike. We've got a few reviews and a whole lotta rock 'n' roll news this time out, so we'll save the rants for the end of the column and dive right in--the water's fine ...
Captain Yonder
Goodbye, Woland!
2007
Strange Midge Music
The first thing ya should know about Captain Yonder singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Ryan Pfieffer is that he believes he's channeling the heretofore unreleased lyrics and music of an old musician (the original Cap'n Yonder) he once met in a Wyoming bar. You should also know that he's a self-described jack of all trades--including (first and foremost) a musician, a former truck driver, a philosopher, a maritime cadet and a lawyer. While these factoids go a long way towards describing some of the fantastic lyrical journeys this band takes you on, they're simply not enough to describe the absolutely original, haunting, challenging oeuvre Captain Yonder is responsible for.
 Goodbye, Woland! was recorded at Wavelab Studios in Tuscon, Arizona (mebbe bringing the band closer to the source of old Cap's ghost helped create some of the haunting, elegiac vibes that run through this album like a stream of pure, fresh mead) with Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case, Robyn Hitchcock, Iron & Wine) producing--and all the challenges that must've faced the talented boardman were met head-on and with an obviously strong belief in the music being produced. Consider that the band is led by a guy who's a genuine character (and I mean that in a good way) and sings, plays guitar, cello, bass and harmonica, and includes inimitable axe-maestro (and 10w40 front-man) James Edlund on electric guitar, drummer Derek Trost, saw-expert Adam Wirtzfield and the dulcet pipes and ethereal cello contributions of Esme Schwall--Schumacher had his hands full, to say the least.
Goodbye, Woland! kicks off with the dark, Handsome Family-ish ballad "In Anatolia," a high-lonesome, tenderly-picked cut that includes lines like, "A bearded gypsy once told me I have ants in my belly-hole." That gives you a bit of an idea of how Pfiefer melds his stream-of-consciousness lyrical mastery with a most dire slice of genuine Americana that runs the gamut from resembling Giant Sand to an early Dylan nugget all in the space of around four minutes
"Ode To A Trucker 9" sounds like a blend of an old Red Sovine story-song and an ancient chanty, Pfiefer singing low and tense, the band perfectly rolling along, jumping from a country-tinged goth classic to a pop-inflected ditty à la Kings Of Leon in the beat of a heart. A classic country death ballad, and one you'll find yourself drawn back to again and again.
"The Black Dress" is a perfect vehicle for Esme Schwall's hypnotic, unique vocal talents, with saw-player Wirtzfield driving the song along in perfect synch with the rhythm section and guitars, Pfieffer adding ghostly, lustily whispered suggestions as Schwall wonders aloud, "What dress should I wear?"
"The Good Machine" is a picture-perfect example of how Captain Yonder, as a band, can randomly and expertly toss in found sounds, bizarre experimentations and oddly endearing musical touch-notes in about a minute-and-a-half, while the mesmerizing, slightly disturbing love-gone-wrong ballad "She Was Good On Me" is another in that vein.
"Banks Of The Ohio" rolls out gently and rollicking at the same time, showcasing Edlund's axe expertise. It's slightly reminiscent of an old Irish ballad, Pfieffer relating his sorrowful tale over gorgeous pedal steel, harmonica and a beat that just won't quit. "When A Cat's A Cat" is a bouncy, upbeat slice of humorous country-rock with an impossibly catchy melody and a fascinating lyrical tale as its anchor.
"The Dog King" eases out on old vinyl crackles, Pfieffer's pipes and Wirtzfield's saw once again perfectly matching moods, with the added treat of background vocals from Schwall. "My Good Hoss" is like a soft, respectful ode to Will Oldham's musical output, that eerie saw ringing through the haze of a dusty tragedy tale like one salty tear rolling down the face of a broken-hearted stranger.
There's a hidden track at the end of this album, wherein the saw sonically resembles a spaceship coming in for a landing, and then you're left with a piece of old Captain Yonder's ghost inside you--where it belongs. A delightful, sometimes dark but ultimately uplifting collection of top-notch songwriting and musicianship. The album comes out May 2, but the band's official CD release party won't be held until May 12 at the Nomad in Minneapolis as the group is currently on tour. Check 'em out for yourselves at captainyonder.com and enjoy the ride!
Matt Mays & El Torpedo
Self-Titled
2007
00:02:59 Records
Halifax, Nova Scotia, rocker Matt Mays has been bubbling under the surface here in the states for a while now, and it's great to hear he and his band are taking their show out to the clubs and saloons of the U.S. of A. With a sound that's part early Wilco, part late-period Whiskeytown, part Matthew Ryan and part all-out rock 'n' roll, Mays & El Torpedo fill a gap in honest, loud guitar-rock that's been plaguing the national scene for the past few years.
The band, which includes Mays on vocals, guitar, harmonica and peddle steel, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, Tim Jim Baker on skins and bass, and Jarrett Murphy on guitars and vocals, pumps out a clean yet raw version of today's modern rock 'n' roll wizardry that also pays homage to some of their many influences--Neil Young, Marshall Crenshaw and Lindsey Buckingham, as well as a few they may or may not know they resemble--including Slobberbone, The Drive-By Truckers and Bobby Bare, Jr.
This album fires off a volley of supercharged guitars right from the get-go. Bass heavy, steady and sure, Mays' raw honey vocals draw you in like a moth to a flame. "Stand Down At Sundown" would ride perfectly next to Neil Young's "Barstool Blues" on a mix, while "Cocaine Cowgirl" makes no bones about its subject matter or its author's feelings about it. Produced, mixed and mastered expertly, this catchy ditty about an all-too-familiar story stays with you long after the record's ended.
"What Are We Gonna Do Come The Month Of September" is a melancholy, bass-driven rocker that finds Mays spitting and howling his pain and anger back out at a world that's going so wrong so fast around him--replete with absolutely blistering blasts of guitars and timely, on-the-money lyrics.
"Lost Souls" could be an old CCR out-take, written as John and Tom Fogerty were just starting to drift apart, with soul-baring lyrics and a classic backbeat augmented by sweet harp tweets and Mays revealing the softer side of his vocal talents. "Time Of Your Life (Til You're Dead)" weaves, wobbles and stomps its way out of your speakers like a drunk who doesn't realize he's had enough, then explodes into a ripping, clawing beast of a rocker that'll have you reaching to crank up your volume knob post-haste.
Album closer "Wicked Come Winter" almost hits too close to home after the long, dreary, drawn-out slide of the past year's cold and snow, but is redeemed by its gospel-like fervor and weary, soul-heavy vocals from Mays. Actually, there's not a bad cut in this batch, and with this album, Mays and El Torpedo prove they've got the chops, the talent and the guts to carry their particular brand of axe-layered, lyrically-sensitive brand of Nova Scotian rock and roll to the rest of the continent--and, I wouldn't be surprised--eventually, the world at large. Killer stuff, highly recommended. Check out Matt at his website, mattmays.com, and make sure not to miss the band's upcoming sure-to-kick-ass gig in Minneapolis at the 400 Bar on May 1. Highly recommended.
ROCK NEWS:
• Check out the classic Bomp! Records site at bomp.com. Bomp! was founded by Greg Shaw and continues to release and re-issue some of the finest punk and garage rock on the planet. The label has a killer online store where you'll find literally dozens of musical treasures, including The Hypstrz (on 180 Gram Vinyl!!), Iggy & The Stooges, Nikki & The Corvettes, some Stiv Bators and The Dead Boys re-issues, The Coffin Lids and Brian Jonestown Massacre. The Bomp! Site is also linked to a great newer label called Alive/Energy, who've been releasing one killer garage-rock masterpiece after another for a few years now, including The Black Keys, Buffalo Killers, The Bloody Hollies and Two Gallants--all of which have been reviewed in this here column recently. Check 'em out ASAP--they've got some great music and are real supporters of the indie community at large--go to aliveenergy.com and have a peek.
• Boycott The RIAA month might be almost officially over, but that's no reason to let the big dogs continue to run the music game--go to gizmodo.com for more info on the beasts who are bent on destroying original, indie and regional music.
• Former Soundgarden vocalist/current Audioslave front-man Chris Cornell is striking out on his own with an upcoming solo album, wherein he'll reportedly be covering the cornball '80s Michael Jackson radio smash "Billie Jean." AHHGGGHHH!!! Does this mean Michael's comeback record will include a cover of "Black Hole Sun" or "Rusty Cage?" All I know is, it's "Like Suicide" to me, so keep it off "My Wave." Thanks, Chris--god, money makes people do STUPID things!!
GIGS OF THE WEEK:
Apparently, nearly every band in town has a gig scheduled for Cinco De Mayo, so I'll list those first and give the readers some options for that night out:
May 5: Seattle band Guns That Shoot Knives, who come highly recommended from some former Pulse writers in Seattle, are currently on tour and will be making a stop at The Triple Rock with rockers The Rockford Mules, Juggernaut and The Resets. New music--good thing. Sitting at home watching reruns of "Spongebob"--bad. Get more info at triplerocksocialclub.com. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. Free for 21+ Naked Raygun ticket holders!!
• Awesome local Van Morrison tribute band (led by the always-boppin' Terry Walsh) will play a ferocious night of Van tunes at Lee's Liquor May 5, with special guests Peal--a promising night of great local talent featuring your favorite covers and some awe-inspiring original jams from good ol' Peal. Nice to see you boys back on the circuit! Get more info at leesliquorlounge.com.
• Royalty Records, Etc. will celebrate a new CD release by Space Camp on May 5 at Big V's Saloon in St. Paul. The gig also features Seymore Saves The World, ZibraZibra and the killer sounds of Middlepicker. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. Free Space Camp CD to all attendees. Don't miss this one if you can help it--Royalty is the future of Twin Cities rock 'n' roll--special thanks to Ty Morse for your latest package--I'll be spending a long weekend with David Bowie thanks to you, bud!!
• Every Friday, local writer/musician Jim Walsh hosts a great gig called "The Hootenanny" at Java Jack's at 46th St. and Bryant Ave. S. in South Minneapolis. On April 27, the lineup includes Jim's band The Mad Ripple, Chastity Brown, Luke Zimmerman, and Slim and Louis Dunlap. I can't think of a better way to spend an early Friday evening--shows usually kick off around 6:30 p.m. and end by 8:30 p.m., so that gives you plenty of time to hit other shows ya been hankerin' to see later on. That's EVERY Friday--SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!!
• Also on Friday, April 27, local band Carp 18 (who were recently reviewed in this here column) are putting on a free live gig as they bring their fiery, original vibes to Betsy's Back Porch Coffee House at 5447 Nicollet Ave. in Minneapolis. Don't miss Joe Fahey and this excellent up-and-coming local outfit!!
That's about all I can squeeze out this time 'round, gang. Tune in same place, same page next week for more of the same. Until we meet again--make yer own damn news!
If you have local gigs/events/CDs you'd like to see listed in this space, or you're just wondering if the "next big thing" in rock will be slightly washed-up '90s artists covering totally washed-up '80s artists, send replies to: Tmygunn77764@yahoo.com.
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