Brooklyn, New York based Rotten Cheri exudes pure sexuality. From the provocative cover art of their CD “02” to the sensual vocals of Stephanie St. Hilaire, this band has managed to combine the crunchiness of slick hard rock, add a bit of punk attitude and couple it with vocals that combine the playfulness of someone like a Gwen Stefani, the pure soaring vocals of a Pat Benatar with the harder edge of a Joan Jett. It really works.

With songs about relationships in pretty much every state of disarray, the subject matter of this CD matches the name of the band perfectly. Sticky sweet on the outside but rotten at the core. Two songs that really stood out for me were “Before It’s Over” and “Get Out Go Away” which are sad, emotionally raw and musically fantastic in equal parts.

All in all listening to the CD pulled me in closer and closer to its core and everything felt slightly decadent but right. And when I say this is a slickly produced CD I mean it as a compliment as the production conveys the rawness of the music in a way that is sweet to the ears and thrives at the high end of the volume knob. Great CD.

Have a listen to some tracks at their MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/rottencheri

Later.

Mark

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Hamilton, Ontario brothers Mars and Michael Ivic, the brains behind The Morning Stars, must have an incredibly diverse set of musical influences judging from a listen to their Volume Records release You Can’t Change the World. Get the CD and have a listen to Hearts for the Living, Wrong and Don’t Waste Time and consider their stylistic differences. From that great Get Your Ya’s Ya’s Out feel to opening track and straight ahead Brtipop-style rocker Hearts for the Living to the cool Beach Boys like sweet but sad power pop gem of Wrong to the early U2 sounding Don’t Waste Time and that great chiming Edge-like guitar, this is a wonderful sound excursion pulling up rock roots from far and wide.

As usual when throwing out comparisons, your mileage may vary but the descriptions are appropriate if not to describe the style of the music than at least to impart on you the quality of the songs on this CD. Wonderful sonic soundscapes, alternating jangling and crunchy guitar and sweet vocal duties shared by both brothers equally throughout make this CD one of those you will savour as time goes by.

I have been listening for a little over a week now and I keep zeroing in on a different song every time. Will it be the slightly funky All Coming Down or the beautiful ballad Fall? Maybe you can’t change the world but for about 40 minutes you can change your world, one song at a time. Great CD.

Later.

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What’s not to like about Sweden? Beautiful women, a great ice hockey tradition and the Swedish massage are just some of the attractions of this Nordic nation. And if your musical knowledge of the country still revolves around ABBA, let me present to you the Mainliners who are taking direct aim at your rock and roll heart.

The Mainliners are an amazing six-piece band who manage to hit all the cornerstones of good rock and roll on their self-titled release for Crusher Records. They combine the swagger of true rock and roll warriors with an eye for melodies that would make most pop tunesmiths blush. There is not one song on this album that is a throwaway. When I first heard Good Storm I literally jumped out of my seat and danced around the house with my headphones on. Sure I might have looked like an idiot but such is the power of the song that to me it is rock and roll personified.

One bad habit I have on first listen to a lot of CDs I get and something that I have forced myself to change is skipping over the ballads or slower-sounding songs always instead looking for that adrenaline inducing fast rock and roll song to get me going. Well I did not do this on Mainliners and man was I richly rewarded. The ballads on this CD are incredible and their power is purely a combination of some perfectly placed touches of organ and orchestration and the amazing vocals of Robert Billing who has a voice that reminds me of none other than Eric Burdon. Listen to Secondary Truth, Running the Streets and especially Bourbon and Ice and luxuriate in the emotive plea that Billing brings to the lyrics. Outstanding stuff.

Do I like this CD? Absolutely! If you are looking for a pure rock and roll B-12 shot straight into your musical veins pick up this CD and enjoy. I think I have to get to Sweden sooner than later. Have a listen to Is This Satsifying..? for a taste of what you can expect or visit their MySpace page for more.

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It took me three listens to finally “get” the Atomic Swindlers and “Coming Out Electric” and that had more to do with my state of mind on the first two listens than any deficiencies in the quality of the record. After a glance at all the reviews quoted on the band’s website, the comparison with this CD and Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie that most make is certainly appropriate. There is that spaced-out, ethereal vibe that is only enhanced by the singing of April Laragy but this is by no means a knockoff of “Diamond Dogs.” It certainly has its own charms and very distinctive feel as titles such as “Intergalactic Lesbian Love Song” and “Float (My Electric Stargirl)” will attest.

In this day and age of disposal 99 cent singles on iTunes it is nice to find an album that benefits from a listen from beginning to end. Not that this record has some kind of thematic constant running through-out but it seems to drift from dreamy space pop to raunchy glam rock as though your were listening to a truly other-worldly yet very hip radio station. Even the production sounds like early 70s glam and you would swear that you could hear the echoes of Lou Reed and Mick Ronson such does that influence bubble under the surface.

Released in 2004, I suspect that the Swindlers have been slowly but steadily percolating through the musical underground as the dates of a lot of their reviews from 2006 would attest. Be that as it may, this is very cool and raunchy rock and roll with a heavy dollop of sexuality mixed in with those razor-sharp guitar riffs. Different and yet somewhat familiar, the Atomic Swindlers have managed to both evoke an era and stake their claim to their own branch of rock and roll in the early 21st century. And with lines like “I like the way your name feels in my mouth” (from “Sex66” a wonderfully crunchy glam-rock masterpiece) this band aims for the surreal sense-surround sound of a type of rock and roll that is increasingly difficult to find. That they pull it off with such a sense of casual disinterest and yet impeccable production and musical chops is a testament to how good this CD really is. Another one for the Rock and Roll Report Radio play list.

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I know that the reviews have been scarce here at Rock and Roll Report over the last few days while we move to the newly redesigned site but to keep you more than satisfied head over to the Swiss Records site for a bunch of great reviews that will make you happy.

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I don’t like the term Americana (probably because I’m Canadian) but country-fried rock would be about the best description that one could use when describing the Apple Bros latest CD “On An Empty Stomach.”

From the fuzzed out start of “I Want More” to that great riff on “Hide” to the funky “Bad Blood” this is a great and welcome return for me to a style of music that I haven’t listen to in too long. With echos of Steve Earle, you can tell this New York-based band have poured their heart and soul into this stuff and it shows on every track. I honestly can say I loved every track and the ending medley of “Crying in the Chapel/Don’t Let Me Down” brought a smile to my face with its honest, passionate performance.

The Apple Bros are veterans of the New York rock scene and you can sense that in both the sound of this CD. Great production values, songs that get better with each listen and some well chosen covers make “On An Empty Stomach” a great listen. Thanks guys for reintroducing me to a style I have given short shift to recently. Well done.

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THE APPLE BROS.: On An Empty StomachON AN EMPTY STOMACH is a guitar-driven collection of gritty, gravellin’ grooves –from shoutin’ to shufflin’. Real music, played by a new band that doesn’t sound like they’re still learning how to play their instruments. THE APPLE BROS DELIVER…

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I discovered two things by listening to “Kick It,” the debut record by New York band The Shake. The first is that listening to a CD for the first time on an iPod while doing groceries with a hangover from St. Patrick’s Day the night before does not give one the chance to fully experience any record. And the second is that The Shake have managed to take their rock and roll influences and produce a satisfying and rocking record that, more importantly, gets better with every listen.

Influenced by the classic rock and roll of the Kinks, Yardbirds and Animals with a wink and a nod to bands like Oasis and Jet, The Shake have managed to put out the type of album that builds on familiar influences yet rocks with a swagger that is all 2007. Formed by four buddies in their early twenties who are all still going to college, “Kick It” wears its influences proudly but does not regurgitate them note for note. Kicking off with the very Gallagher-esque and suitably snotty “Princes and Queens” and “Outcast,” this album has enough rock and roll twists and turns to make the first couple of listens an adventure. Listen to the 3 song sequence of “Eight O’Clock” with its vaguely familiar sounding lyrics (Macca’s parts on “A Day in the Life”), the bass heavy “Devil’s Side” and then the the swaggering “Dyin’ Ain’t the End of the World” and you have an amzingly diverse yet 100% rock and roll listening experience.

This is one of those CDs which will have you in the mood to listen to something different every day, depending on whether you are in the mood for Kinks-style crunch or something more like the 60’s pop of “Let Me Take You Far Away.” A great listen and certainly a band to look to for big things ahead. Good stuff.

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THE SHAKE: Kick ItPure, straightforward, home-grown rock ‘n roll music that emerged from the aftermath of a horrible car wreck involving classic rock, new wave and today’s best alternative.

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The great Indie Rock Cafe has posted a cool guide to where to fnd free and low-cost legal indie rock downloads in the post P2P Networks Still Can’t Beat Legit Sites For Music Downloads. A great place to start if you actually are interested in helping musicians and not ripping them off.

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Everytime I think I’m becoming partial to a specific style of rock and roll something comes along to remind me that I can never restrict myself to any one genre. Recently I have been listening to a lot of power pop and before that a ton of garage but after having just listened to “It Starts Right Here” by Three Quarter Stone I have rediscovered the joy of melodic hard rock.

Hailing from Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Three Quarter Stone have made it a mission to pump out some furious hard rock that features great backing/harmonizing vocals which is something that always sucks me in. While the whole album is great, there is always that one song that seems to draw me in to multiple plays and on “It Starts Right Here” there was now doubt that that song was “Without You.” Loaded with killer riffs and those amazing backing vocals, “Without You” made the next playlist of Rock and Roll Report Radio in a heartbeat. Actually that’s not true, it barely beat out the funky “Killed Last” for the honours but there are a bunch of tunes on this CD that could have made the list including the very cool and exotic “Bad For Me.”

My recommendation is to head over to their site and listen to the album or better yet, contact the band and buy a copy. Tasty hard rock from a bunch of rockin’ Canadians. Gotta love it!

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Few people realize that arguably the first psychedelic record was not “Revolver” by The Beatles but “Roller Coaster” by Texas band the 13th Floor Elevators. Well there is a whole lot more Texas psych to check out over at the Texas Psych blog. Continuously updated, the Texas Psych blog is “dedicated to the great Texas Sixties Music and more… Fans of the 13th Floor Elevators, Roky Erickson, Golden Dawn, Red Krayola and garage / psych in general will want to check in regularly.”

Check it out. It’s all pretty groovy man!

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Go get ‘em while they’re hot off the virtual press. The February/March Shindig reviews are up!

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I always love seeing the ways in which rock and roll influences people in often unexpected circumstances. Nothing more appropriately illustrates the fact than the story of the Tender Box. Hailing from East LA with its primarily Hispanic population, the members of the Tender Box were in fact heavily, and I mean heavily influenced by Britpop of all things. Blaring the likes of the Cure and Depeche Mode may sound out of place to those of us who maybe have accepted the East LA stereotype without question but according to Ric Moon, guitarist and keyboard player for the band, the Britpop influence in that area is pretty heavy in an underground sort of way.

Speaking to him at their recent Montreal show before they were heading off to Canadian Music Week and SXSW, Moon told me that there would often be these huge underground parties where the sounds of Britpop pumped out at full volume at some rented warehouse space before 200 passionate residents of East LA and that enthusiasm can be heard in each track of their CD The Score. From the pumping synth propelled “Mister Sister” and the guitar crunching “Media Lies” to the gorgeous ballad “Place Called Home” and the riff friendly “Shine a Light” this CD both sounds great and is a perfect launching pad for their incendiary live show. While the Britpop influence is there and readily acknowledged, this is by no means a Blur cover band. Far from it. Check out “Stranger than Fiction” with its gorgeous harp playing for a country fried counterpoint. A beautiful tune. The Score is original, modern and fresh with crystal clear production that captures every nuance and odd synth flourish. A great CD to be played loud but certainly headphone ready as well. A lot of fun, a lot of textures, a lot of great rock and roll. If you want to hear what a bunch of Mexicans sound like after listening to too many Cure records, have a listen to the Tender Box. You will be richly rewarded with a CD that only gets better with each time you listen to it. Check out their MySpace page and have a listen. Good stuff. Catch them live on their current tour if you can.

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THE TENDER BOX: The ScoreWARNING: Will turn audiences into a cohesive dance machine.

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Rock lists are always divisive because someone will always find a problem with them, either they do not include some band or album or concert someone is sure should be on the list or the opposite rings true. Check out the Definitive 200 which according to the site:

“…is a list of 200 ranked albums that every music lover should own…celebrating classic recordings by favorite iconic and contemporary artists .”

Ya right. The usual suspects are there but I can rattle off a ton of albums that I think should be on this list but then, how subjective is the term “definitive”? A fun read I suppose but an obvious ploy to move more “units” at your local big box store.

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With a name like Kill Van Kull you would expect a heavy sounding rock and roll attack and “Edge of Sunrise” does not disappoint but it offers so many interesting twists and turns in its sound that it is an amazing sonic adventure listening to the CD.

Starting with “Then You Were Gone” that alternates between soft and heavy, Edge of Sunrise certainly offers a varied rock and roll landscape. From the extra heavy “Through the Night” which turns the tables on the usual “guy dumps chick after a one night stand” to the horn tinged “Sweet Summertime” and “Rock it Steady” to the absolute best Monday morning rock song ever in “Kick Em and Smile” this CD is an amazing testament to diversity. I mean its hard to believe that a band that sings “Fuck this, fuck that, fuck everyone, I’ll kick your ass” can also be responsible for the sweet pastoral song “Edge of Sunrise” but they are and the whole package works.

Very cool stuff from a fascinating band. And remember, if you wake up on Monday morning hating the world put on “Kick Em and Smile” and you will feel much better. Trust me on that.

http://myspace.com/killvankull

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KILL VAN KULL: Edge Of SunriseYou need ass-kicking,crowd chanting,groove-infectious hard rock…KVK Delivers it.

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I love this band. Set to be released March 13, 2007 on Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records label, “Because I’m Awesome” by The Dollyrots have already had the mantle of “coolest song in the world” bestowed on them by none other than Little Steven for the great lead off track “Because I’m Awesome” which quite possibly has the best use of the word “neato” in a rock song.

Hailing from LA, the Dollyrots are fronted by one of the “hottest women in rock” according to Blender Magazine in the incomparable Kelly Ogden who has that perfect voice that alternates from sweet to dripping in rock and roll attitude. While the whole CD is great and is a natural to blare at top volume, the song that caught me off guard was their cover of “Brand New Key” by Melanie. I hate that song but in the hands of The Dollyrots they manage to infuse it with such a rock and roll punch that I had to listen to it about 4 times in a row just to let it soak in. A great cover because it adds to the song and for me actually makes it listenable.

All in all I have to say that not only am I absolutely blown away by this CD, it is nice to see Joan Jett using her record label to pump out authentic, no holds barred rock and roll. A refreshing blast to the ear drums. Excellent stuff.

Check out their MySpace page and have a listen: http://www.myspace.com/thedollyrots

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Swiss Records has a batch of new reviews up including The Slip, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. , The Wellingtons, Monta , Damien Rice, Goldbergs, The Black Keys.

Cool site.

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Go check out Power of Pop as they have put up new reviews of the Shins new album as well as Charlie Louvin plus a look back at Sgt. Peppers. Good site.

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e·clec·tic adj. (1) Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles: an eclectic taste in music; an eclectic approach to managing the economy. (2) Made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources: “a popular bar patronized by an eclectic collection of artists, writers, secretaries and aging soldiers on reserve duty” (Curtis Wilkie). (Dictionary.com)

It is only appropriate that the brand new Apples in Stereo record “New Magnetic Wonder” is dedicated to Syd Barrett. The Apples continue to pump out eclectic pop masterpieces that bring to mind the aforementioned Mr. Barrett or the “Pet Sounds” era Brian Wilson.

Mixing in incredible pop gems like “Can You Feel It”, “Energy” and “Sundial Song” with freaky sound collages, mellotron rumblings and weird vocoder effects, New Magnetic Wonder is definitely a headphone album.

The other cool thing about this record (and I use that term deliberately) is how the full effect must be experienced by listening to it from beginning to end, something that is sadly lacking in today’s cut and paste style CDs that often seem like a motley collection of singles and filler. The effect is wonderful and the combination of all 24 tracks lends something of a consistent whole to the experience.

It is nice to say in this day and age that a record features meticulous pop craftsmanship, something that Apples in Stereo have always been known for. Sure there are some weird parts but man, what a cool sonic adventure! If you are looking for something a bit different but that will richly reward an open mind and set of ears then pick up a copy of “New Magnetic Wonder,” slip on the headphones and sink into their sonic playground. The view is incredible.

Check them out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theapplesinstereo

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I hate to use the term “modern rock” when describing a band because it makes everything else that you don’t refer to as “modern” to be hopelessly retro but Glasgow, Scotland’s Dead City Riots are modern rock and roll personified. Often reminding me of Pearl Jam with more consistent hooks, “Always is Never the Same” is an amazing rock and roll journey that absolutely rocks with razor sharp guitars, great hooks and amazing songwriting. Have a listen to “Bridge Jumping”, “Where’s my Pill?” and especially the fantastic “Kill the Summer.” And when you think it is all full bore rock and roll they hit you with “A Better High” a gorgeous ballad about seperation.

A highly recommended CD and a great listen at full voilume. Check out their MySpace page and have a listen.

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If you are into powerpop (Wikipedia definition: The music is characterized by strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are kept to a minimum, and blues elements are largely downplayed.) and you can’t make it to SXSW this year then you will want to head over to the Powerpopulist, a great site that I just discovered courtesy of the always helpful Audities list. What they have done is comb through the hundreds of MP3s posted to the SXSW site of bands playing the festival and have posted all the indie powerpop that they could find. Check it out and start downlowding like crazy!

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In 1966 Swinging London was in full bloom and the whole world seemed to be grooving to the Beatles’ pre-psychedelic masterpiece “Revolver.” Now at that time bands like the Beatles, the Nice, the Small Faces, etc. were referred to as “pop bands” because they were, well popular. Before the split between pop bands and rock bands occurred there existed a brief moment in the history of rock and roll where experimentation coupled with obvious hooks and impressive 2 and 3 part melodies made music so vibrant, exciting and….popular.

Shake Some Action, the brainchild of Australian singer-songwriter James Hall reminds me of that slice of summer. With sweet multi-layered vocals, chiming Rickenbacher guitars and hooks a plenty, Shake Some Action is an album that requires a few listens before its intricacies and melodic treats become well ingrained in your brain. Have a listen to “I Can See Where This Is Going” or “Without You” for a perfect example of this great pop sensibility. Gorgeous multi-tracked vocals match perfectly with an instantly hummable melody that you will have a hard time shaking. And “Damaged” and “You’ve Got it Made” are what I would readily refer to as hard pop nuggets.

A very impressive debut and available now. Check out their MySpace page for more songs to listen to and enjoy the trip back in time to when pop songcraft was less “American Idol” and more “Paperback Writer.” Good stuff.

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SHAKE SOME ACTION!: Shake Some Action!“…hook-laden, lush and timeless. After a few listens you will be utterly smitten with this band” - threeimaginarygirls.com

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It’s ironic that just last week I was talking about being a rock and roll gearhead when the first thing I noticed on the back cover of “Push It Nationwide” by The Sleepers is a photo of a bunch of amps in the studio and what looks suspiciously like a Vox “Super Beatle” amp amongst the stacks. This was the amp that Vox provided the band for their infamous (and last) 1966 world tour and it immediately caught my attention with one of those “these guys look interesting” moments when I was shuffling through a bunch of CDs that I had recently received.

First off, these guys do not sound like the Beatles. Nowhere close. What these guys offer is pure, hook filled raunchy rock and roll that caught me from “Jet Set Trash” and didn’t let go until “Lonely.” They lock into such a great rock and roll groove that you are constantly hitting repeat because you can’t seem to get enough on the first listen. For me a good sign as to whether I like an album is when I am having a hard time trying to figure out which song to play on Rock and Roll Report Radio. Should it be “Don’t Let Me In”, “ Bad For Me”, “Lost Cowboy” or “Jacknife Judy”? Decisions, decisions…..

This Chicago band really lay out the kind of rock and roll that I like to blare full blast out the windows and onto the street. Plus they prominently feature that most rock and roll of instruments, the cowbell! Great stuff. A keeper and for sure it will be a CD I’ll be playing often both on the air and on my iPod.

Check out their MySpace page for a listen of what they have to offer. Cool shit.

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Shindig has just released their January reviews which as always are a delight to read and then track down the CDs to buy. Check them out at http://www.shindig-magazine.com/reviews.html

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When I first listened to the debut ep by Montreal-based band The Dress Whites, I had a vision of lying in a hammock on a warm summer Saturday when all of a sound this languid, country-tinged sound started off in the distance. As I strained to listen I realized that it was a band playing not too far away and so I approached them playing in a backyard to a mixed group of people listening carefully while sipping on iced tea and lemonade. Not your normal rock and roll vision now is it? Well no but The Dress Whites are not your typical rock and roll band.

With a sound reminiscent of maybe the softer side of mid-seventies rock but with lyrics that actually pull you in closer for a proper listen, all five songs are truly little gems that roll more than rock and with no apologies given, rightfully so. For sure the song that really stuck in my ear was “Far Away” which is basically a “fuck you” to an ex girlfriend, a song country sweet and tasty. Wonderful stuff but the other four songs tend to grow on you as they reveal different layers and textures with each additional listen. Looking forward to what these guys will do in the future. A great listen. Pass the iced tea please.

Later.

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There was a time in what seemed like ages ago where bands like Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and the original Fleetwood Mac were heralded as innovative free form experimenters who pushed the boundaries of what could be done in the brand new but burgeoning “blues-rock” genre. But then lifestyle excesses, greedy record labels and endless drum solos and guitar masturbation destroyed that avenue of expression with punk finally nailing the coffin shut in 1977.

Ames, Iowa based Radio Moscow has allowed me to rediscover the guilty pleasure that is blues-rock. Fronted by multi-intrumentalist Parker Griggs with Luke McDuff on bass and Mayuko on drums, Radio Moscow remind me of a more controlled, less histionic Jimi Hendrix Experience. Whether chugging along with something like “Frustrating Sound” or wailing away on the Stevie-Ray-esque instrumental “Lickskillet” or the very Hendrix-like “Whatever Happened”, this debut by Radio Moscow (to be released February 27, 2007) reminds you of why you enjoyed this type of music in the first place. If you ever wanted to discover or re-discover some great, swampy blues-rock and roll from a band that aren’t receiving social security you might just want to check out Radio Moscow. A nice blast from the past played today. Cool stuff.

The band is currently on tour with dates being added over the next few weeks. As good as the CD is, this stuff will be killer live.

Upcoming shows :

Jan 27 @ Blinks - Ames, Iowa
Jan 30 @ Peeples - Ames, Iowa
Feb 9 @ Hairy Marys - Des Moines, Iowa
Feb 10 @ Lumpys - Ames, Iowa
Feb 17 @ Bali Satay - Ames, Iowa
Feb 26 @ Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, Iowa
Mar 1 @ The Aquarium - Fargo, North Dakota
Mar 4 @ Bev’s Juke Joint - Superior, Wisconsin
Mar 13 @ King Club - Madison, Wisconsin
Mar 15 @ Lagerhouse - Detroit, Michigan

Check them out at MySpace.

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