Taildraggers Make Blazing Display Of Blues Finesse On ‘Swamp Opera’
Too Slim and the Taildraggers
“Swamp Opera”- Burnside CD
At last, the long-awaited fourth album from Too Slim and the Taildraggers hits stores on Tuesday, Halloween. “Swamp Opera” marks the first studio album from the popular Spokane blues band in three years.
In keeping with previous efforts, this new gem doesn’t disappoint and provides quite a thrilling listen. Plus, the work on this record greatly exceeds that of the others, which include “El Rauncho Grundge” and last year’s live album “Wanted Live.”
From the blazing slide playing and harmonica blasting on the opening track “One More Gallon Of Gasoline” to the closing, adrift rocker “Hell’s Half Acre,” Too Slim and the Taildraggers - singer/ guitarist Tim Langford, drummer John Cage and bassist Tom Brimm- churn out one smoking tune after another.
The song selection on “Swamp Opera” is quite diverse. Of course, the stomping blues rock songs, sometimes driven by Delta-style slide guitar work and often compared to Stevie Ray Vaughn, are the emphasis.
Yet, the band demonstrates its prowess for trying other styles, too. The album’s title track boasts a spicy Cajun sound. If there’s a hit song in the bunch, this is it. Langford and company hang ten on “Drinkin’ Rye” and “Snakehead Road,” two instrumental surf tunes.
What makes these songs endearing is that Langford really gave them the blues treatment. Unlike most surf instrumentals, these tunes evoke strong moods.
A host of elite guest players pop up throughout “Swamp Opera.” Charlie Musselwhite belts out some blissful harmonica licks on “One More Gallon Of Gasoline.”
Jim Pugh, keyboardist for Robert Cray, lays down some stellar organ sound-scapes on “Blue Guitar,” “Chicken Shake” and “She’s Not Coming Back.”
And Little Charlie of Little Charlie and the Nightcats blows the harp on “Doghouse.”
If you have yet to hear Too Slim and the Taildraggers, give this CD a whirl. It’s probably one of the best local releases of the year.
Too Slim and the Taildraggers will play a record release party for “Swamp Opera” on Thursday at the Fort Spokane Brewery at 9:30 p.m. The cover is $3.
Distorted Silence
Self-titled - Beyond Productions tape
On its debut tape, this local heavy metal band doesn’t hide its influences. The crushing riffage was copied right out of the Slayer and Metallica (early Metallica) guide to heavy metal.
And the vocals, often high-pitched, bring to mind former Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson. Put the two together and you’ve got one of the better heavy metal releases this town has produced in some time. The songs are well written and usually have something interesting to say.
Also, Distorted Silence constructs some luring hooks. The guitar solos become a bit redundant though, but guitar solos have longs since been an essential force in heavy metal.
National album reviews from Billboard magazine
Green Day
“Insomniac” - Reprise
California superstars follow their mega-platinum breakthrough album, “Dookie,” with a similarly raucous collection of sped-up power pop with a punk edge. Lead single “Geek Stink Breath” should be a smash on the charts. Other hitbound cuts include “No Pride,” “Panic Song,” “Westbound Sign” and “Tightwad Hill.” Even at 33 minutes, “Insomniac” is a worthy follow-up to one of the most resounding success stories of recent years.
Janet Jackson
“Design Of A Decade” - A&M
The most coveted “free agent” in the business steps into the spotlight once again, this time with a well-deserved retrospective of her A&M years. On the strength of past hits alone - “Escapade,” “Control,” “Black Cat,” “Rhythm Nation,” etc. - the album would be an instant smash. The addition of new cuts “Runaway” and “Twenty Foreplay,” however, gives the collection extra sizzle and suggests that Jackson’s already lofty star is still on the rise.
Candlebox
“Lucy” - Maverick/Warner Bros.
Seattle grunge band follows its breakthrough smash with an album that aims squarely at its Generation X fan base. By far the most original and compelling of the lot is “Best Friend,” a profound and provocative song about addiction, companionship, or both. Album’s top 20 debut on The Billboard 200 certifies band’s place among the rock elite.
P.M. Dawn
“Jesus Wept” - Gee Street/Island
Even more than P.M. Dawn’s first two albums - which were masterpieces themselves - the new release from New York duo is a multifaceted tour de force that insinuates itself into the listener’s consciousness and never lets go. Highlights of a consistently engrossing set are lead single “Downtown Venus,” a rock tune with R&B and pop appeal; groovy ballad “My Own Personal Gravity”; hip-hop-flavored “The Puppet Show”; and a medley of Prince’s “1999,” Talking Heads’ “Once In A Lifetime,” and Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut.” One of the top albums of the year.