This sly killer from the Brooklyn Funk Essentials taps into the natural lethargy and self-serving motivations that derail real revolution. Listen and laugh with sick recognition as Political Rhetoric Week rolls on.
Archive for February, 2011
Know what’s been knocking us out this week? The banging new album from The Dirtbombs called Party Store (released February 1 on In The Red), where the long running underground garage rockers for the 21st century tackle classic Detroit techno joints. It’s just too much goddamn fun and really shifts one’s perspective on the original music in super cool ways. We’ll be talking with The Dirtbombs’ main man Mick Collins soon but here’s the first video from Party Store to whet yo’ appetites.
Deren Ney by Andrew Quist
Deren Ney is one subtle fellow. His face rarely betrays what smoothly etched, blues infused notes are about to dance from his fingers, and he slides into the mix so smooth it’s like he’s greased with chicken fat. His quietly smiling, bearded face and primo licks are a fixture in Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, a classic sounding classic rock minded band with a nimble reach into the blues, soul, country and more, all of it done with care and quality. You can hear for yourself on their brand spankin’ new joint Driftwood (released February 1), an addictively listenable set and early standout in 2011 that would enrich radio a great deal if any program directors are paying attention. But their broad appeal is rooted in something far deeper than the vast majority of contemporaries, a real dedication to craftsmanship and woodshedding that shines through in Ney’s always thoughtful playing. He’s the sort of six-stringer that Bonnie & Delaney would have loved in their ranks, except we’re lucky enough to have him kicking around the Bay Area these days. In short, Deren Ney is simply a pleasure to listen to anytime he steps up.
This “public service announcement with guitars” arrived at just the right moment for a young generation in the U.S. and U.K. deeply disenchanted with the Reagan/Thatcher mentality sweeping the land. It’s sadly no less true today. Dennis was present at this performance at the US Festival and plans to tell y’all the story oen day of how he lied to his mom and snuck off on his first rock ‘n’ roll road trip. For now, enjoy this next installment in Political Rhetoric Week.
