Jimmie's Chicken Shack
Fail On Cue
Fowl Records
When I first had this album arrive on my desk, I was skeptical.
I had never been a huge fan of the band - heck, I'd barely even heard of them, to tell you the truth. I just knew they had that one kind of big hit a while ago and they played in the area on a pretty regular basis.
Then I actually sat down and listened to it.
It's not really my style (though admittedly, my style's pretty narrow-minded. I'm working on that) but I was pleasantly surprised by what I listened to.
"Fail On Cue" manages to change things up every song and held my attention through the duration of the CD.
It's catchy without sounding commercial and is musically deep without sounding too complicated.
My favorite track on the album has to be "Mutha Luvas," which has a reggae-sounding beat. The rest of the CD is pretty standard alternative rock, but this one track stands out while still fitting in with the rest of the pack.
My only gripe is that the album isn't long enough.
Though, after talking to the band and having them tell me how much they can't stand being in the studio for days on end, I can understand why it's as short as it is.
For fans of alternative rock looking for a regional band to add to their collection, Jimmie's Chicken Shack is the way to go.
-Carrie Wood
Beck
Modern Guilt
Interscope Records
Unfamiliar with Beck? Little did you know, Beck has been filtered through our lives since the mid-90s. Beck gained initial popularity with his 1994 hit "Loser" and ever since then, the track has been consistently played on alternative rock radio stations throughout the country. But while most of the world was forcibly stuck in the '90s, Beck continued to produce his own kind of alternative, funky, soulful music, releasing 13 albums including his latest, "Modern Guilt."
In his latest endeavor, Beck collaborated with producer and instrumentalist Danger Mouse and singer Cat Power. Despite this assistance, "Modern Guilt" was clearly Beck's own creation. With clear emphasis on catchy bass lines, emphasized by the energetic beat of the drums, it's easy to identify Beck's affinity with the instruments that can often be, in my opinion, overshadowed by the guitar.
Beck's soulful voice lends to the overall tone of the album, which describes Beck's frustration and disgust with the world after technology and greed have taken over. Each song incorporates a different unique effect: whether it be an interesting melody played on a synthesizer, an effect applied to Beck's voice or guitar, or just the juxtaposition of a piano being played over the contrastingly tough drums, each song has its own personality and uniqueness.
The second song, "Gamma Ray," stands out as one of the catchiest songs on the album. The repetition of a funky bass line, in addition to a simple yet intense drum beat, makes "Gamma Ray" a hard song to ignore. Another song that presents a mass appeal is "Profanity Prayers," a song that incorporates all of the techniques Beck loves, which I described earlier.
Overall, the album is a great success for Beck. After 13 albums and 20 years in the music scene, Beck continues to make great music and has matured his sound into something complex and widely accessible.
Check out Modern Guilt if you're looking for some classic alternative rock with a modern, unexpected edge.
-Melanie Losover
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