CD Review - The Insomniacs

The Insomniacs - At Least I'm Not With You

Year: April 21, 2009

Genre: revivalist Blues/Rocjabilly/Jump Blues

SonicJive: http://www.sonicjive.com/theinsomniacs

Format:  CD

Total Time:56:25

Reviewed: 17-June-2009

Track Listing:

01. Lonesome 3:26

02. Broke And Lonely 6:00

03. Directly From My Heart To You 3:31

04. Maybe Sometime Later 4:38

05. At Least I'm Not With You 3:30

06, Root Beer Float 3:55

07. Hoodoo Man Blues 6:17

08. She Can Talk 3:15

09. Baby Don't Do It 2:53

10. Angry Surfer 3:16

11. Description Blues 8:04

12. 20/20 3:44

13. Insomniacs Boogie 3:56

Review:

The Insomniacs new release "At Least I'm Not With You" is a superb revivalist/jump blues CD that combines traditional blues music with elements of west-coast swing and culling guitar licks played through vintage instruments.   Deftly merging tradition and innovation into something really special, The Insomniacs have delivered a truly astounding CD reminiscent of Jimmie Vaughan, T-Bone Walker and Jimmy Henderson. For those blues fans who may be labeled as traditionalist, a listen here provides a decent alternative that is both a refreshing and an addictive sound.  If you are into roots rock or a roadhouse blues sound that is a little tougher and slightly more lean, then "At Least I'm Not With You" is right up your alley.

Make no mistake, The Insomniacs have a distinctive vintage sound, but the updated production and instrumental arrangements are clean and crisp, adding more depth than say, pure rockabilly and more texture than most stereotypical swing bands. The energy found in both genres is there but thankfully, the monotony isn't. This helps create an addictive mixture that is both classic and fresh at the same time, especially when the band avoids cliched lyrical phrasing.  However, even on the intentionally over-the-top rockabilly number, "She Can Talk" the band manages to still sound somewhat fresh, despite of a very Jerry Lee Lewis-like piano solo, by utilizing modern percussion arrangements and very tight vocals.  It is this synergy between old and new, classic and contemporary, that works for The Insomniacs. 

The standout tracks on the disc are "Lonely", "She Can Talk", "At Least I'm Not With You" , "Broke And Lonely" (a song that has a bit of a shuffle feel to it), and "Angry Surfer".  The title track, "At Least I'm Not With You" has a great, Dr. John feel to it and really stands out.  All are uptempo numbers that are quintessential west-coast blues in sound and are ineffably vintage in structure.  Digging deeper into the CD, however, the listener will discover hidden gems that are more traditional and a couple of great "boogie woogies".

Traditionalists will be satisfied with the electrified "Description Blues" as well as the scorching version of Junior Wells'  "Hoodoo Man Blues" (featuring a scathing harmonica played by special guest Mitch Kashmar), both fully-mature blues songs that are pure magic.  The two songs are perfectly arranged Chicago Blues numbers that feature haunting bass by Dean Mueller and wonderfully muscular vocals from Vyasa Dodson, as well as a percussion line from Dave Meylan that purrs like the glass packs on a '51 Mercury Flathead.  Blues aficionados will love Dodson's guitar work on "Description Blues" as well as a B-3 solo by Alex Shakeri that is sinfully good.  "Directly From My Heart To Yours" is a song that creates a perfect segue from traditional blues to the more swinging sound of jump blues by mixing elements of both.

"Root Beer Float" and "Insomniacs Boogie" are wonderful instrumentals that allow each of the performers to shine individually by combining a series of solo efforts into entertaining boogie woogie blues numbers that are absolutely scrumptious.

This album is full of the ratchet rhythms which connect the time-honored traditions of Chicago Blues to the slinky funk style of vintage Delta Blues to the naievity of early rock & roll.  The Insomniacs offer superior arrangements and production that result in a masterful CD that encapsulates a true revivalist sound.  The CD never tires, even after consecutive spins through the CD Player, and each play guarantees the listener will dicover something new and defining on each song.  Released in April 2009 as the follow-up to the critically-acclaimed "Left Coast Blues", "At Least I'm Not With You" is a fiery follow up that is both an astounding and necessary addition to the collection of anyone who appreciates good music.

Brooke Horrocks (SonicJive.com)

CD Review - Brother Magnum

Brother Magnum - Meet Me In My Daydream

Year: May, 2008

Genre: Blues/Soul/Roots/Rock

SonicJive: http://www.sonicjive.com/brothermagnum

Format:  CD

Total Time: 39:37

Reviewed: 16-June-2009

Track Listing:

01. Have A Good Time 3:12

02. I Should Have Known 3:03

03. Cocaine Sheila 3:59

04. The Real Thing 3:48

05. Good Lovin' Feelin' 3:55

06. Mexico 3:13

07. Love Wrong Blues 3:29

08. What I Need 3:28

09. Nee-Mo Money 2:48

10. Everything I Wanted 4:33

11. Don't Get Me Talkin' 4:29

Review:

On Meet Me In My Daydream, Brother Magnum serves up a heavy dose of his easily identifiable funk-induced blues and slashing guitar throughout eleven songs - all of which he wrote, produced and arranged.  His penetrating, signature solos are pleasingly demonstrative and pump through his veins, literally exploding from his fingertips in flammable fashion.  His able-bodied vocals command your attention and can be compared favorably to Albert King.  Fans of Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, and Robert Cray will find delight in this effort as well.

Many blues artists live recordings far surpass their studio efforts -  there is something about performing in front of crowds that brings out the best in blues performers that somehow traditionally fails to translate well to the studio. Brother Magnum manages to bridge that gap - for a studio release many of the songs have a distinctive "live" feel.  This is a tribute to the arrangements and fine production on this effort as well as a testimony to his superb backing musicians.

Brother Magnum's classic "Have A Good Time" will erupt from your speakers like a hurtling fireball and is one of my all time blues favorites. His scorching guitar solo on "What I Need" is almost too short; it is so good you will wish he extended it a little longer, though a very Jimi Hendrix-like riff and vocal echo throughout the song is equally enjoyable.  I was half-expecting the good brother to segue into "Red House".  One could identify this song as psychedelic blues and be spot on.  It's a great song.

"Cocaine Sheila" has traditional blues roots and bemoans the addictive nature of an unattainable woman in a descriptive, horizontal bump-n-grind manner.  Brother Magnum's vocals are at the forefront of this number and the guitar is slightly understated, and it works well.  A unyielding saxophone solo at 1:50 into the song accentuates the message and gives it a white-hot attitude. "I Should Have Known" and "Mexico" have a shuffle feel to them, blending traditional blues and soul that is incongruous to any specific genre.  Both have a birth-of-rock-n-roll feel that is probably the best way to describe them. "Nee-Mo Money" and "Love Wrong Blues" provide wonderful examples of Brother Magnum's celebrated guitar-playing ability. To use a term that is often wrongly associated with heavy metal music, the man simply shreds.

Meet Me In My Daydream is a great addition to any blues lovers collection,  a great mix of up tempo funkified numbers, retro soul blues, roots rock, traditional blues and even a shuffle or two.  You can't re-invent the wheel but you can still make top of the line tires.  Brother Magnum has not invented a new genre of music but he's doing it as good as anyone ever has.

-- Michael Canter (SonicJive.com)

CD Review - Solitoode Attitoode

Solitoode Attitoode

Year: June, 2008

Genre: Instrumental/Electronic/Pop/Synth

SonicJive: http://www.sonicjive.com/solitoodeattitoode

Format:  CD

Total Time: 1:05:17

Reviewed: 15-June-2009

Track Listing:

01. Bright Light 7:57

02. Destiny Calling 7:38

03. Downtown In Dreamtown 7:50

04. Lost In Time 8:58

05. Insatiable 9:15

06. Chance 9:49

07. Spinning The World 7:24

08. Tinker Lane 6:46

Review:

Pulsating rhythms and synth-riffs are the order of play for the debut release of Solitoode Attitoode. Building on a signature groovy electro-sound, Larry Amos (he IS Solitoode Attitoode) constructs enchanting melodies with exquisitely layered choruses. The CD, formatted in 5.1 Surround Sound and mixed down to stereo using Dolby Pro Logic II technology, has an unmistakable uplifting feel. One could easily imagine how wonderful the disc would be were it played in three-dimensional sound. The shifting sonic layers at first listen will sound familiar to fans of Yaz or the electro-heavy "Days Go By" by Dirty Vegas. But, listening to the slightly more intricate and densely mastered "Tinker Lane", the last cut on the disc, I'd swear I was listening to Rick Wakeman had I not known better.

Avoiding the tired and dreaded rave sound that has seemed to overtake traditional electronic music of late, Solitoode Attitude is a throwback to the rhythmic expressions that launched careers for bands like Erasure, New Order, Jimmy Sommerville and Alison Moyet.  That's not to say that Amos is strictly "old school" and in fact it would be a disservice to categorize this disc as such.  But the foundation is there layered with added nuance utilizing more modern dance inclinations and a touch of pop songcraft to boot.

Three uplifting, grand anthems open the disc and establish the identity which Amos has created.  "Bright Light", "Destiny Calling" and "Downtown In Dreamtown" evoke enlightenment and illumination.  Swathes of rapturous synth and punchy rhythmic beats twist daytime-friendly melodies with a touch of halycon pop and enough shifting shoegaze to get your feet moving independently of your body. 

"Insatiable" burns in rhythmic resonance, a pulsating blast with house-party aspirations that keeps its riotously frenzied pace for over nine minutes.  "Spinning The World" is the standout song on this disc, obviously made with trance dancing in mind, exposing it's electronic underside that works not despite, but because it eliminates overstated disco sirens and tiring bass bass beats in favor of a falsetto synth sound that simply kicks ass.  "Tinker Lane" envelops itself in lush keyboards and a stunning arrangement that retro burns into a powerful ending.

To his credit, Larry Amos handled all of the composing, writing and mixing of this disc to dizzying, emotive effect.  Solitoode Attitoode percolates with elements of impassioned production and elegant layering.   It is incessantly catchy with a self-assured attitude overflowing with enough stand alone tracks that is as comfortable as it is capable of commandeering your stereo system.  Never ponderous or overly obtuse, Solitoode Attitoode is decidedly confident and ultimately sweet, a eloquent reminder that there is no shame in feeling good about yourself.

-- Michael Canter (SonicJive.com)