Trax
By Bliss 10/09/2008
KINGS OF LEON, Only By the Night (RCA) (3 stars out of 5)
With this polished follow-up to last year’s “Because of the Times,” Nashville’s Kings show they’ve graduated to a Springsteen-meets-U2-circa-1987 stadium-ready style, an impression boosted by frontman Caleb Followill’s raw emotion and brother Nathan’s slamming drums. “Be Somebody” sounds like they’re trying too hard, but the single “Sex on Fire,” the hooky “Use Somebody” and riff-fueled “Manhattan” throw off real rock sparks. At Nokia Theatre Wednesday. www.kingsofleon.com.
JUANECO Y SU COMBO, Masters of Chicha, Vol. 1(Barbès) (2.5 stars out of 5)
Barbès, the Brooklyn-based label that reintroduced the world to chicha with last year’s sublime collection “The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru,” continues its mission with a new release celebrating an Amazonian chicha ensemble whose myth was sealed by a Skynyrd-style plane crash in 1976. There’s less Farfisa, greater emphasis on surf-style electric guitar and native percussion, and many tracks sound alike, but if you’re discovering chicha it’s still recommended. www.barbesrecords.com
THE RESCUES, Crazy Ever After (Red Wind) (2 stars out of 5)
Collectively known as the Rescues, singer-songwriters Adrianne, Kyler England and Gabriel Mann, Hotel Café regulars all, have joined forces as a trio for barely a year and a half yet have already scored a national tour and placed several songs in film and TV. Much is made of their taste for Fleetwood Mac-style pop and harmonies; their music isn’t as layered or produced as the Mac, but that influence is evident during their debut’s strongest moments, “Sweetspot” and “Break Me Out.” At Hotel Cafe next Thursday, Oct. 16. www.myspace.com/therescues.
DARRELL SCOTT, Modern Hymns (Full Light/Appleseed) (3 stars out of 5)
Scott’s last album included the cleverly political “Goodle, USA.” His new disc takes a subtler approach to emotional, religious and social differences — through rhythmically compelling interpretations of “modern hymns” by heroes like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Mickey Newbury and Guy Clark. A fearsomely gifted instrumentalist and songwriter, Scott’s own material is often covered by others (Tim McGraw, Dixie Chicks). He gives Joni Mitchell’s “Urge for Going,” Kris Kristofferson’s “Jesus Was a Capricorn” and Pat Metheny’s “James” funky bluegrassy treatments, and transforms Leonard Cohen’s “Joan of Arc” into a sensual duet with Mary Gauthier. www.darrellscott.com.
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