Professional Production and Psychedelia Color New Daniel Johnston Album

Daniel Johnston, possibly most famous for his "Hi! How Are You?" mural on the Drag in Austin, TX, returns with his first album of all new material in six years, Is And Always Was. This music, his most cohesive in recent memory, is a good indication that the severely bipolar Johnston may be getting healthier. But the flipside to that is that the album also has an edge of studio sheen not heard before from him.

"Mind Movies" starts the album off with a solo acoustic performance.. Daniel's simple strumming isn't as frenetic as it's been in the past and his vocals are affected with appealing psychedelic reverb in parts. An ethereal drone in the background compliments this well.

"Fake Records of Rock n' Roll" is a full band blues-rocker. Lyrically, Johnston laments the state of the music scene in his own way, going on to say that people today don't know what real rock n' roll is.

The tamborine-heavy "Queenie the Doggie" recalls jangly '60s rock. Johnston's layered vocals add to this. "Tears," towards the end of the album, is similar but with a thumping, slightly irregular bassline.

"Without You" is about Johnston trying to free himself from negative influences. If there is a theme to the album, this song exemplifies it: the struggle to put one's life back together. Amongst the rollicking piano and guitar of a rock song there's some weird keyboard warbles.

The crunch, fervent energy and talk-singing of "I Had Lost My Mind" make it a punk-like song. On the surface, the lyrics are funny, like much of Johnston's music, this one being similar to King Missle's "Detachable Penis," but also kind of tragic considering the obstacles life has thrown his way.

The title track, "Is And Always Was" surpasses the rest as far as the echo and reverb goes, so much so that the overall vibe is one of flying through the air. Think Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd.

"Light of Day" is Johnston's version of a rock n' roll love song. The song has plenty of spring reverb and laid back acoustic strumming.

A lot of amazing things can be done in a recording studio. Professional production does serve these songs well and has crafted a great psychedelic rock album. However, all the added sounds and tricks do take away from what made Johnston's previous, self-recorded music so amazing. Gone are the toy pianos and other oddities that peppered his most well-known songs. Diminished is the intimacy that made the unique worldview found in his lyrics so powerful and compelling. But that being said, music has to evolve and if Is And Always Was is the shape of things to come for Daniel Johnston than there's no real reason to fret.

Iggy Pop Goes Solo Again With A Radical Change In Musical Direction

At age 62, Iggy Pop continues to buck trends. Abandoning the punk sound he helped create, his new solo album, Preliminaires, ventures into the territories of jazz, blues and even French romantic balladry. This new mix of sounds has created music that's just as unique and refreshing today as The Stooges were when they exploded on the scene in the late '60s.

"Les Feuilles Mortes," a song recorded by French singer Edith Piaf, among others, opens and closes the album. Pop's version has him using a deep baritone croon a la Leonard Cohen. But the mix of electronic-sounding percussion and bright acoustic guitar brings to mind David Byrne's "Like Humans Do."

Once more featuring deep baritone singing, "I Want To Go To The Beach," expertly captures the mood of the song's lyrics. With reverb-drenched low-key guitar and piano and a gently rolling rhythm, the image of a lazy day at the beach with waves crashing comes to mind.

"King Of The Dogs" is pure classic New Orleans jazz, complete with trumpet leads. Pop's vocals take on a raspy quality here. The song could be described as an appealing mix of Preservation Hall and Tom Waits.

"Je Sais Que Tu Sais" is swamp rock at it's finest. This song would easily find it's way on the soundtrack for TrueBlood. Driving drums move the rhythm along with some bluesy acoustic slide guitar. Pop's vocals are mixed low and sound distorted, possibly even sung through a "green bullet," a microphone often used for blues harmonica. Airy female vocals provide and interesting contrast with his as well. This song shows up again near the end of the album with the English title "She's A Business."

Though "Nice To Be Dead" is definitely a rock song it has no similarities to Pop's previous work. Despite crunchy, chugging guitars the urgency of punk isn't there. The rhythm is like a snake biding it's time before it's prey moves within striking distance.

Originally a bossa nova song, "How Insensitive" is re-worked by Pop with a space age lounge croon, backed by soft electronic undulations. In this way there are similarities to Pop's past collaborator David Bowie.

Though the title of "Party Time" suggests dumb rock, the song is actually quite schizophrenic, taking elements of funk with it's angular bass slapping and elements of '80s gothy new wave with a continuous synth haze in the background.

"He's Dead, She's Alive" is pure acoustic Mississippi blues. An atmospheric drone gives the song some depth. Pop stays away from the deep croon of much of the other songs. The lighter vocals fit this type of song well.

"A Machine For Loving" is essentially a book reading set to music, with the story being about a dying dog. The melancholy, minor key acoustic guitar goes well with the overall somber quality.

The English translation of the word "preliminaires" is "foreplay." In a sense it's an accurate title. While it's a wonderful listen, you're left not entirely satisfied in the end. It feels as though Pop tried to cram three or four albums into one. Without a defining musical direction, besides the obvious departure from punk, this album loses focus. However, that doesn't stop the music itself from being fantastically eccentric and entertaining, like Iggy Pop himself.

Watermelon Slim Delivers His Blues with a Country Twang

Although his stage name sounds like a blues parody, a la Mashed Potato Johnson from the cartoon Metalocalypse, guitarist and harmonica player Watermelon Slim (real name Bill Homans) has been churning out some of the best Chicago-style blues in recent memory, built on his working class background. It's his time spent as a trucker hauling watermelons that define the lyrical theme of his new country-flavored album, Escape From The Chicken Coop.

"Caterpiller Whine" has a barreling roadhouse rhythm. Percussive piano and urgent electric slide guitar define the song. Slim's gummy, worn vocals fit the style perfectly.

Many great blues songs have a double entendre and "Skinny Woman and Fat Cigars" is an obvious but entertaining example of this. The song has a laid back feel, also invoking Southern staples such as sweet tea.

"You See Me Like I See You" is an example of the classic Nashville country duet, basically Slim playing the part of George Jones and Jenny Littleton playing the part of Tammy Wynette. Steel guitar and soft, simple drumming abound.

"Wreck On The Highway" takes a cue from classic bluegrass. The lyrical and vocal structure is clearly influenced by people like Ralph Stanley. Acoustic slide guitar and mandolin fill out the song.

"Hank Williams You Wrote My Life" may just have the best song title on the album. The vocalization has a drawn-out bluegrass quality but the rest is pure country, including the catchy chorus hook.

"It's Never Too Hard To Be Humble" has acoustic slide guitar fit into a waltz-like rhythm. Tinkling piano in the background gives the song another interesting element.

Slim leaves the truck driving stereotypes, which actually might have some truth to them since he lived that life, towards the end of the album with "Truck Drivin' Songs" and "18, 18 Wheeler." The first has a Lyle Lovett feel, that place where country, blues and swing intersect. The second has speedy drums and fiddle breaks.

Blues purists might be put off by this album but there's a fine line between classic country and blues. Both genres are famous for detailing the tough times life throws at you and the joy music can bring. And an album about "truckin'" wouldn't be complete without some country flavor. Despite a few bland songs, Watermelon Slim delivers this music honestly without too much of the modern mainstream Nashville country sheen.

The Dead Weather Rocks the Blues with Mixed Results

It might be safe to say that Jack White has music ADHD. The White Stripes and Raconteurs leader is not content with being in just one band, or two for that matter. But the upside to that is that listeners get to hear many facets of his talent. With The Dead Weather, White returns to his first instrument, the drums. Taking more of a back seat like this gives his band members, Alison Mosshart from The Kills, Jack Lawrence from The Raconteurs and Dean Fertita from Queens Of The Stone Age, more of a spotlight and it shows on the band's debut album, Horehound.

"60 Feet Tall" begins like a rehearsal warm-up, a rolling drum beat from White and disjointed guitar licks from Fertita. But the song soon morphs into a slow burning, Zeppelin-like bluesy groove with Mosshart's sultry but earthy vocals invoking Patti Smith. Unfortunately, the percussion is cymbal-heavy and that bleeds all over the track in certain sections.

One of two songs released as a vinyl .45 on Record Store Day, "Hang You From The Heavens" takes much of the electro-blues of The Kills with it's geometric and intricate drumming. Fertita's guitar lays thick slabs of fuzz.

Whether it was intentional or not, "I Cut Like A Buffalo" has a lot of reggae flavor. This has most to do with the prominent electric organ, played by Fertita, and the regular echo flurries. White sings lead here and it sounds filtered through a megaphone.

"So Far From Your Weapon" begins with a similar intro to "60 Feet Tall" but with call-and-response vocals, reminiscent of classic blues. Again, the drumming is cymbal-heavy. Oddly enough, the defining element of this song is a weird warble from an indistinguishable instrument lurking in the background.

"Treat Me Like Your Mother" is aggressive from the outset with driving drums and crunchy fuzz guitar riffing. The tempo increases towards rollicking rollercoaster standards halfway through the song with pummeling drums and fast slide guitar lines. Mosshart and White trade lead vocals. You could even call White's vocals in this song rap.

"Will There Be Enough Water" is a departure from the overall sound of the album. White's only guitar contribution, it takes much from early John Lee Hooker, specifically minor key elegies like "It Serves Me Right To Suffer." The heartbeat drumming and nearly inaudible piano in the background help to create a true blues emotion.

While Horehound is bookended perfectly, nearly half the album is unremarkable, a mess of odd rhythms that are abrasive rather than interesting. However, the majority, even if it is a small one, does save the album and makes it worth listening to and owning. Once again, Jack White has found a new way to interpret the blues while staying faithful to traditions. But when all is said and done, Mosshart's contributions are what make this album unique.

Wilco (the band) Delivers the Best of Both Worlds on Wilco (the album)

Wilco, the Chicago-based alt. country standard bearer, has released a new album, self-titled after a fashion, that combines the best of it's musical formulas. Because of this, listeners get to enjoy the band's best album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

"Wilco (the song)" has relaxing yet meaty guitar strumming for it's main beat. Percussion thuds behind this, anchoring the song. Frontman Jeff Tweedy's lyrics continue to be interesting and unique. Though slightly tongue-in-cheek, it's an ode to the fans and what it's like to be in a band like Wilco.

"Deeper Down," a lower-key acoustic-based song with some repetitive strumming, exhibits some of the only "country" left in the band's alt. country sound. Steel guitar provides atmospheric texture to contrast with the organic acoustic strumming.

The somewhat-skeletal "One Wing," driven by intricate drumming from Glenn Kotche, hearkens back to the band's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot days. Tweedy's voice sounds much more earnest in front of the half-naked instrumentation. The reverb-heavy guitar playing brings to mind images of driving at night in the middle of nowhere.

"Bull Black Nova" is the first of a couple Beatles-esque songs. Upbeat guitar playing with natural-sounding distortion meets electric organ in what could be described as a slower "Hey Bulldog" in certain sections.

"You And I" is a duet with Canadian indie-folkster Feist. Unfortunately, the song doesn't really amount to much. The gentle acoustic instrumentation and soft vocals aren't very memorable.

"You Never Know" channels George Harrison perfectly. The lead guitar has that Ganges River Delta meets Mississippi River Delta slide technique that was Harrison's signature. The acoustic rhythm guitar and the tip-toeing piano complete this. The song feels more like a tribute than parody, which makes the similarities enjoyable.

"Solitaire" could be a continuation of "One Wing." They share the same sleepy, country-tinged philosophy. But in this song violin is featured and the rhythm mimics a horse on the trail that's in no hurry to get anywhere.

"I'll Fight" has a lot in common with early Elvis Costello. The only difference is it's largely acoustic arrangement. The rhythm is simple and geometric in the best way possible.

"Sonny Feeling" is about a bluesy as Wilco gets, thanks to prominent Delta slide licks. Tweedy's vocals, not generally thought of as such, are as gritty soul as he can make them and the upbeat rhythm suggests dancing. Still, it's safe to say Wilco probably won't make a full-on blues album.

Wilco (The Album) can be thought of musically as a combination of both the lower-key A Ghost Is Born and the upbeat Sky Blue Sky. This happy medium finds the band and the music more cohesive, confident and just plain fun to listen to without sacrificing the complexity of Tweedy's songwriting.

Tom Morello Returns to His Roots with the Help of Boots Riley

Street Sweeper Social Club is a new collaboration between former Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello with The Coup rapper Boots Riley. Morello plays bass this time as well and Stanton Moore of Galactic provides the drums with playful finesse on the debut self-titled album, a head-bopping mix of hard rock and hip-hop, fighting the curse, much like RATM did, that the two genres don't mix well.

Track one, "Fight! Smash! Win!," has an energetic, rollercoaster intro riff. The guitar playing transitions into muted strumming in the verse sections.

"100 Little Curses" has a definite RATM-reminiscent riff. What sounds like an informal choir provides backing vocals to Riley's rapping.

"The Oath" and "The Squeeze" are nearly the same song. Both have funky riffs. Think George Clinton meets Black Sabbath.

With a laid back riff, "Clap For The Killers" features a lot of room for each element to breathe. It's a refreshing technique that allows Riley's rap vocals to shine. The lead guitar breaks teleport around like the X-Men's Nightcrawler.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Smith" has a riff like a rumbling beast waiting to strike. And strike it does during the chorus section.

The guitar playing in "Megablast" has a slight '80s vibe. The verse sections have a fuzzed out, low-key rollercoaster riff.

"Promenade" has atmospheric texture in the background and is driven by funky bass chugging. The vocals pop front and center.

Maybe it's unfair to compare Street Sweeper Social Club to Rage Against The Machine but it's nearly unavoidable. The two groups mix rap and rock in nearly identical ways. The only difference is the frontman. Boots Riley delivers his lyrics expertly and with confidence. But one of the great things about RATM is and was that Zach De La Rocha's vocals were as angry and snarling as the funky, heavy, buzzsaw riffing of Tom Morello's guitar. Riley's rapping needs to be a little more aggressive to elicit as powerful an emotional response. But taken just by itself, the music these two have created provided an enjoyable and needed contrast to the rap-rock of Linkin Park and the reunited Limp Bizkit.

Ryan Bingham Proves He's the Bob Dylan of the Southwest

Ryan Bingham, born in New Mexico and raised in West Texas, made a splash in the world of Americana music with his 2007 debut Mescalito and hit "Bread & Water." His sophomore album with his band The Dead Horses, Roadhouse Sun, proves to be more introspective while keeping with the raw blues and folk-rock that characterized it's predecessor.

"Day Is Done" starts out as a slow, acoustic guitar-driven number but soon morphs into an energetic barnburner with plenty of slide guitar.

"Dylan's Hard Rain" features a wonderful jangly guitar sound and a lyrical style that tells a progressive story, much like those of the song's namesake. Bingham is clearly influenced by Dylan but this song moves beyond mere tribute, as he exhibits on the rest of the album.

Upbeat with a clacking train track rhythm, "Tell My Mother I Miss Her So," has prominent mandolin. The song is reminiscent of The White Stripes' "Little Ghost" in many respects.

Slow and mournful, "Bluebird" is steel guitar driven. The song is the closest to mainstream country music you'll find on the album. Unfortunately, the music doesn't mesh well with Bingham's smoke and whiskey soaked vocal style.

"Endless Ways" is a full-on electric band rocker. However, it smolders when it should probably burst into flames.

"Hey Hey Hurray" has some interesting, snaking slide guitar work. The methodical, almost robotic drumming provides a good anchor.

Not to be confused with the Doors' song of the same name, "Roadhouse Blues" sounds a lot like "Bread & Water," although with some honky tonk-like piano.

In it's own way, "Wishing Well" is an emotional soul ballad that would do even a classic Stax artist proud. But it is rough around the edges like all of Bingham's music. A memorable lyric is "I've been gone so long, I think the devil lost my name."

While comparisons can be made to Bob Dylan, Steve Earle and maybe even Tom Waits at his earthiest, Ryan Bingham uses the blues, folk and country traditions of the past to forge his own way. With a bright but wonderfully ragged star like Bingham around, it's safe to say the future of Americana music is secure.

Unlikely Supergroup Excels at Infectious Power-Pop

At first glance, Tinted Windows' line-up seems like an April Fool's joke. James Iha (ex-Smashing Pumpkins, ex-A Perfect Circle) is on guitar, Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) is on bass, Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) is on drums, and Taylor Hanson (Hanson) is on lead vocals. This odd family of musicians works however and has delivered a debut album of power-pop perfection.

"Kind Of A Girl," the first track and one of two singles taken from the album, features a driving rollercoaster guitar riff with plenty of bright fuzz. Hanson's pretty-boy vocals work amazingly well in a guitar-rock setting. Iha finally gets to let out his lead guitar chops with a short solo.

"Messing With My Head," the second single, is somewhat of a slow burner but with a powerful riff and a hook-filled anthemic chorus. Lyrically, this song sets the tone of the album, a classic rock narrative of lover's angst.

"Can't Get A Read On You" could easily be a Stooges song with more sheen, apart from Hanson's vocal style. It has punk-like breakneck guitar riffing and pummeling drums.

The album's most overt ballad, "Back With You," has Iha harkening back to the atmospheric texture he perfected with The Smashing Pumpkins and his solo album Let It Come Down. While Hanson's vocals do prove to work with full-on rock songs, they fit even better with this style.

"Without Love" has one of the most intricate but head-bopping riffs on the album. Lead guitar is the focus and Iha lets rip with longer solos.

"Cha Cha" takes a chance at a Rolling Stones-style blues boogie and succeeds. Interestingly enough, the chorus has more in common with The Beatles or even fictitious band The Wonders from the movie "That Thing You Do."

The jangly, chord-rock spirit of The Byrds and mid-era Beatles is channeled on "Nothing To Me." The main riff is a tribute to George Harrison if ever there was.

Tinted Windows sounds nothing like the assembled musicians' previous work except for maybe the overall concept of Cheap Trick. But the band does manage to forge it's own identity under the power-pop tent. The best supergroups are a sum of their parts and Tinted Windows is no different. Smashing Pumpkins fans may have a hard time accepting Iha working with the singer of "Mmmbop" but upon listening, this album and this band exude nothing but pure fun.