SOUNDCHECK

The Rolling Stones; BRMC; Andy Caldwell


The Rolling Stones


A Bigger Bang (4 stars)


It is sad to say, but at this point, the Rolling Stones benefit from extraordinarily low expectations, thanks to decades of workmanlike studio efforts (with the same elements as firmly in place as in a James Bond film), followed by crass live albums.


So no one cared when on their last tour, they dispensed with the new disc of songs. Not that the Rolling Stones Inc. failed to cash in. There was the crass double (Ha, you suckers!) disc, Live Licks, that offered a souvenir of mediocre performances obscured by muddy sound. After that, why not expect the ridiculously titled A Bigger Bang to sound like a punch line looking for a joke?


But except for the overwrought lead singer on "Rough Justice," this is an album a Rolling Stones fan can buy without shame. Forget masterpieces like Some Girls and Exile, think the uncluttered and enjoyable Stones of Tattoo You. And yes, that does say a lot. Mixing reggae, blues and rock effortlessly, as only the Stones can, tracks like "It Won't Take Long," "Sweet Neo Con" and especially "Let Me Down Slow" are all joy to the ears. Keith's spotlight, "Infamy" (pronounced in Keith's slur as "In for me"), also is a standout. The Rolling Stones may still be a stadium colossus on the road but the rewards on A Bigger Bang come from some old guys with a few instruments seeming to remember how much they can do with that little.




Richard Abowitz




Black Rebel Motorcycle Club


Howl (3.5 stars)


Between their second and third albums, the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club changed record labels, relocated from San Francisco to London to Los Angeles, and had one member leave and then come back. One can see how there could be a change in direction. Still, a move from narcotized, groovy fuzz-rock to introspective acoustic Americana? Now that's a weird one. Even weirder: It works.


Howl is named after Allen Ginsburg's '60s-defining poem; the cover art is a reasonable facsimile of The Rolling Stones, Now!, one of 1965's finest albums; and the record rings with a retro feel. "Ain't No Easy Way" is a Mississippi blues-inflected stomp, replete with harmonica. The folk drone of "Suspicion Holds You Tight" is reminiscent of vintage Dylan; "Fault Line" is a stripped- down, unapologetic consideration of a reckless life that has more than a whiff of Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done."


Granted, Howl is not a perfect album—the late-Lennon-ish "Promise" is a bit slow, sincere and heavy on the piano and there is a little too much faux-gospel in general—but the BRMC certainly rise to their new sound, even if that sound is an old one.




Lissa Townsend Rodgers




Andy Caldwell


Late Night with Andy Caldwell (4 stars)


One of the San Jose Bay Area's rising star DJs, Caldwell is known for his work with the live house-music act Soulstice and San Francisco's homegrown Om Records. After guest appearances on two previous albums, Caldwell proves the faith of Swank Recordings over 13 tracks of classic house: grooving and romantic.


Late Night With is the first installment of a planned series from Swank. The second will feature King Britt from the Digable Planets.


There are no standout numbers, no anthems, just a steady flow of mood, with Caldwell digging into his crates to pull out influences from San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, London and Germany.


"Brand New Day," the opening track, starts with a warm R&B chorus before Gina Rene's vocals drift in over a subtly driving backbeat. Chuck Love's "Back In My Life" is solid funk, with sampled horns and a quick tempo. "Mash It Up" from Jaswho? also provides some welcome heaviness. "Get Over Here (Axwell Remix)" is a rousing number, sure to get people's arms in the air. Overall, this is the kind of CD you can drop in your stereo and play from end to end nonstop.




Martin Stein


  • Get More Stories from Thu, Sep 8, 2005
Top of Story