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Yeah, we usually do this over the weekend but we got distracted by Phish Tweets. Here's the scoop in about 50 words or so…
The Disciplines: Smoking Kills (Second Motion)
Gutsy, no nonsense rock proffered with fresh-from-the-garage sass and razor sharp lines by three talented Norwegians and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies), who's singing like a man reborn. This is everything the Kings of Leon once aspired to but done better. Believably tough and tender, this is fucking great, dinged up gold. (Dennis Cook)
Junior Boys: Begone Dull Care (Domino)
Drawing inspiration from '70s rock drumming, '80s R&B, early film soundtracks and the avant-garde, Junior Boys have delivered an album that validates adult-contemporary electronic music with its intricate beats, subtle textures and open spaces. Begone Dull Care is an easy-on-the-ears, a mellow and enjoyable listen. (Cat Johnson)
Los Straitjackets: Rock En Espanol, Vol. 1 (Yep Roc)
Nashville's wrestling-masked garage/surf/trash rockers shoved South of the Border for this all-covers album. With guest vocals from Los Lobos' Cesar Rosas (who also produced), Thee Midniters Little Willie G. and Big Sandy (leader of his Fly-Rite Boys), the trio helps bring some much needed soul to this delightfully Spanish-tinged stomp-fest. (Scott Caffrey)
Katy Mae: You May Already be a Winner (self-released)
Katy Mae's latest will remind you of Buffalo Tom and other '90s era alternative cock rock. Singer Phillip Doucet's voice is a dead ringer for Bill Janovits and the high pitched, fast strummed guitars eerily reminiscent of The Afghan Whigs. Problem is that this Brooklyn quartet does it with about half the soul of any of that decade's better acts. (Bill Clifford)
Raul Malo: After Hours (New Door Records)
On After Hours, Raul Malo is just another genius crooning his way into midlife schmaltz. Anyone familiar with The Mavericks will tell you he's way better than this. Or maybe it's that the other Mavs held him in check. Either way, After Hours is a frustrating misfire. (SC)
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