Giusto Gusto

The clouds have parted, February’s done for, the world sprang ahead and there’s plenty of sun-soaked tunage to warm your hibernating bones. Between the welcomed heat wave and gnarly swells pumping this weekend, I’m pulling the trigger on a Spring set list in anticipation for the coming season. Open your windows, grab some flip flops, and blast your nips because things are warming up:

Two Wounded Birds - Self Titled

This album, the one and only from the UK group spearheaded by Johnny Aries, has been on repeat since the day I found it 2 weeks ago. Aries & Co. channel 50′s surf vibes, echoing reverb, energetic treble and a voice as smooth as eggs into an etherial summer soundscape I can’t resist. “To Be Young” is my definition of a perfectly written song, from start to finish you want more of everything. “My Lonesome” has a bass line and ride-symbol groove that won’t quit, while wammy-bar vibrating tunes like “Midnight Wave” and “Night Patrol” crave a green room and 5’9″ retro fish. Best album of the year so far (even tho it’s a year old).

Cody ChesnuTT - Landing On A Hundred

My amigo Chad clued me on to Cody ChesnuTT a few months back, but I’ve been grooving out to this most recent album at an unsettling rate. Tracks like “What Kind of Cool” or “Till I Met Thee” would have Mother Theresa cracking into her chastity belt like McGyver, spell bound and swooning. Aside from ChesnuTT’s soul-laced voice is a freestyling, poetic ability to narrate on current events on tracks like “Scroll Call” or the aggressive “That’s Still Mama”. What I dig the most about ChesnuTT’s new-motown stylings is his funky, swervy guitar strumming atop horns and back up vocals, bold and refreshing.

Real Estate – Self Titled

This New Jersey band has put out another incredible album, Days, since their 2009 self titled release but there’s a level of respect that this original deserves. Tracks like “Pool Swimmer” and “Lets Rock the Beach” sound like a summer fling on Malibu in 1955, full of delayed reverb and the friendly thump of single-coil picking on a Fender Mustang. The songs are easy, mellow and crammed with maritime nostalgia that begs for a long board and Katin trunks. Best of all is “Suburban Beverage”, a head-nodding ballad with only one line: “Budweiser, Sprite, do you feel alright?” Yes, yes I do.

Fool’s Gold – Leave no Trace

If you ever need a pick me up or something to blast on the way to a morning session then reach for Fool’s Gold. This California group combines the surfer tunes of the west coast with the percussion of Africa and vocals in Herbrew. Sound crazy? You’re right, it is, but crazy is responsible for incredible tracks like “The Dive” and “Tel Aviv”. The combination of vibrato vocals, shaking gourds, languages I don’t understand and the melodic guitar solos of Lewis Pesacov are tantalizing. Tittilating even. “Mammal” showcases each members abilities with fretboard-sliding licks, belting vocals, half-timing drums, and harmonizing back up vocals in glorious unison. Left-Coast stylee mixed with African beats, like driving a 70′s station wagon full of shred sticks with a Djembe strapped to the hood.

Summertime, and the listening’s sleazy in the giusto kitchen. Not Paris Hilton sleazy, but straight funk sleazy with the windows down, speakers blasting, shades on and the grill spitting hot fire. All you need is a jet-cold beverage, a giusto grill recipe, and one of the following filthy albums for the gusto summertime experience (minimal clothing a plus):

Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls

A lot of bands are trying to recreate the past, some successfully, some not so much. What Alabama Shakes have created is something altogether original.Tracks like “You Ain’t Alone” and “Hold On” scream soul while riffing classic rock as others like “Boys & Girls” or “Rise to the Sun” drip with motown flavors. They’re rock, funk, soul, and pop enriched by the voluptuous vocals of Brittany Howard, a legend in the making. NOTE: BUY THIS ALBUM!

Gary Clark Jr. – Bright Lights EP

A true student of the blues masters with a keen ear for modern rock at the ripe age of 28, Gary Clark Jr. is the blues prodigal son. On the surface the album may sound familiar, Black Keys or Dead Weather -esque, but Clark Jr.’s lead abilities are outrageous. Watch any YouTube performance and you’ll see Clark Jr. attack his semi-hollow like a bat out of hell, whipping thru hendrix licks and stevie walks with a style all his own. His cover of Catfish Blues for one Barry Obama is especially inspiring. Stoked for his full-length album due this year sometime. Wave your freak flag bruddah.

The Ronettes – The Ronettes

Taking a huge left-turn from the previous two albums, The Ronettes will transform your grilling scene into a Flushings-Block Party within the first two tympani booms. This sister/cousin trio from Spanish Harlem sound just like the early 60′s look in my head: summer flings, soda shops, short shorts and parents that just don’t understand! With horns, tambourines, reverb, and Veronica’s shaking tremolo present on every track you’re left spellbound like Kevin Arnold for Winnie Cooper. More love, more heartbreak, more “wo ho ho ho hooooos”. No wonder Rolling Stones added this to the 500 greatest albums ever made.

Surfer Blood – Astro Coast

My amigo Brooks described Astro Coast beautifully: it’s like an entire album of “Surf Wax America”. If you’re unfamiliar with that particular Weezer throwback, take a listen and tell me he’s not dead on. Surfer Blood’s combination of high treble, fast strumming and echoing vocals recreate the California beach scene perfectly. Tracks like “Swim” and “Fast Jabroni” sound like the playlist to tasty barrels, empty sets, and pumping swells. The album should really come with a disclaimer reading: “Best if listened to in board shorts and a tank top.”

As recommended, throw on a bathing suit, light the grill, and crank up some of these gnarly tunes for a most righteous summer bbq. Gnar gnar or bust!

I’d say we’re all in need of some quality kitchen tunage after the debacle that is the grammies. It wasn’t all bad, Grohl’s acceptance speech may have been the greatest moment of the night, but minaj needs to be hit by a bus. A big bus, loaded with bombs like that one from Speed sans Keanu.

I’ve been back on the Amplified Art Open Mic circuit over the past weeks and have been venturing off my typical blues-funk path into some of the following album tracks. If anyone’s willing to sit thru 3 songs of mine and many far more talented artists stop by Amplified Art in City Market, Downtown Raleigh on Wednesday evenings.

The Rosebuds – Loud Planes Fly Low

The Rosebuds rekindled my love for local music back in 2007 after hearing them on 88.1 on my way to my first job. This Raleigh Duo has created some incredible albums and hauntingly beautiful songs over the years, but this latest album drips with emotion and stellar vocals. Ivan Howard takes center stage on the majority of the tracks, backed by his ex-wife and musical counterpart Kelly Crisp. Each track leads into the next, pouring over with gentle melodies, sustain, and endless reverb. The lyrics are transparent, seemingly anyways after reading a short bio on the couple, and each note of the backing strings or keys emphasizes the bittersweet resolve of their relationship. Notable tracks include “Limitless Arms”, “Second Bird of Paradise” and “Woods”. Stoked to see them play in Raleigh again soon.

Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash – Duets

I’m ashamed to admit it took until weeks ago for Megs and I to watch “Walk The Line.” Sacrilege, for sure, but what I did not expect was to fall helplessly back into classic country and bluegrass. Cash was a staple at Appalachian State University, peppered across every bumper sticker in Watauga county. However, the duets between Cash and his wife June were new to my ears and a welcome surprise. Between the witty banter, opposing decibels, and old-timey harmonies it’s hard not to dig these late tracks. My favorite track by far is the duets cover of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe”, along with “Help Me Make it Thru the Night” and “Jackson.”

Flat Duo Jets – Two Headed Cow

Ever wonder where Jack White got his swagger? Dexter Romweber is the answer. This hard rock, vibrato laden duo from Carrboro, NC of all places can throw down the filthiest of garage rock. Imagine blues mixed with punk vocals and Buddy Holly charm and you’re close, but the Duo Jets are unlike any others. Two Headed Cow is a recent compilation album with a collection of live, b-side and bootleg tracks. Notable tracks include “Mexicali Baby”, “Never No More” and “Golden Strings”, an indescribably brilliant song.

J Roddy Walston & The Business – Self Titled

I’ve seen J Roddy & the Business twice now, both times at Kings Barcade, and both times I left jacked and temporarily deaf. This Baltimore based band has taken the southern-rock waltz and created a fun, relevant sound a world apart from peers like Kings of Leon and the Avett Brothers. J Roddy, at the helm smashing away on his parlor piano, belts out clever, backwoods lyrics with a force beyond measure. Add some simple blues bass walks, ACDC-esque guitar licks, and the ring of well-worn cymbals and you’ll hear great tracks like “Don’t Break the Needle”, “Full Grown Man”, and “Brave Man’s Death.” If they’re ever in your town, buy tickets and bang your head to some freaking great tunes.

Happy Jamming.