MusiCal (April 2009)

 Morrissey

4/01 @ Palace

In the early 80s, Britain’s Morrissey seemed to aim the Smiths towards the moods and wit, the frustration and resourcefulness, of the mid-60s Kinks. Both bands’ inner drama sometimes helped their music. Twenty-two years after he broke up the Smiths, Morrissey’s latest, Years of Refusal, spills some ill gems of brotherhood. Whenever his wicked words falter, his current backup crew (the Tormentors) deliver sonic punch lines, and match his best moments too.

Bajofondo

4/03 @ Wexner

Bajofondo explore a South American garden of acoustic and electronic tango, hip-hop, trip-hop, and other night-blossoming forms, chilled and warm. This ensemble of eight is guided by guitarist, composer, kaleidoscopic pop producer and Brokeback Mountain contributor Gustavo Santaolalla.  Bajofondo’s current Mar Dulce elegantly survives encountering Elvis Costello, and mutually flourishes with Nelly Furtado. Equally eclectic Columbus DJ Ray Ritmo will start what’s billed as a “dance party” (no doubt).

Dr. Dog

4/06 @ Basement

 

Dr. Dog still love and learn from their Beatles, Beach Boys and Band records. They get carried away with the studio studies sometimes, but Dr. Dog’s best music brings the sniffin’ around and the scent of a scientific canine assistant to baggy-pants pleasure seekers, who sing, “And we’ll go back to the places art erases,” as the beat slouches toward dance (or pop and art, anyway), one more morning after.

Todd Rundgren

4/10 @ the LC

In the 60s, Todd Rundgren carved his name on a heavy blues guitar, but then gained a reputation for quirky studio wizardry. He even produced pop-rock hits for Grand Funk Railroad (perhaps eventually inspiring Geico’s slogan, “So easy a caveman could do it”). With Utopia, Rundgren went  acid-progressive while the world went disco, but his showmanship keeps coming back. Rundgren’s latest album, Arena, commandingly calls on all his skills. 

Diplo

4/17 @ Skully’s

American DJ Diplo’s breakthrough inspiration came via re-mixing Brazilian salvage artists. Favela On Blast is further fueled by everything from “Rock The Casbah” to “The Twilight Zone.” Diplo was recruited by Sri Lanka/London siren M.I.A, way before they materialized at the Grammys. This summer, Diplo will unleash Major Lazer, “a renegade commando” who fights vampires and pimps, with “digital reggae and dancehall, from Mars in the future, “ Diplo claims. Better be.

Gil Mantera’s Party Dream

April 18 @ Skully’s

Beautiful dreamers, don't be scared: Youngstown party-crashers Gil Mantera and Ultimate Donny are now very professional crash-partiers, especially with drummer Anthony Paterra, who produced their vibrant new Dreamscape set. And don’t be surprised when, especially live, GMPD jam the electro that dances everywhere it cares to. Mantera and Donny always did seem like deadpan class clowns, guarding their greater gifts with those carefully folded, aromatic paper airplanes.  

The Spikedrivers

4/23 @ Rumba

The Spikedrivers are Columbus perennials who take the scenic route through mountain music, vintage rock ‘n’ roll, and some jazzy curves. They also pitch a few curves with true stories like  “The Ballad of John Dillinger,” proving crime does not pay (except when it does--for instance, in the entertainment value of this song).  Which fits with the warning of “Cuckoo,” “Don’t call me honey/I ain’t that sweet.” Naw, they’re salty too!

Neko Case

4/23 @ Newport

 

Cosmic art-rock-country chanteuse Neko Case lives by Bob Dylan’s line: “Move at your own chosen speed.” Like the weather moves, even (or especially) when messed with. True, she’s been called too arty and/or too earthy. But her followers know she’s getting better at both! Case’s brand new CD, Middle Cyclone, spins tales of prison girls, red tides, tornadoes in love, and the sweet reminder, “Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth.” 

Red Wanting Blue

4/25 @ Newport

 Columbus-based Red Wanting Blue inherited that broodingly intense Adult Rock sound: hugely successful once, but they’re too young (-ish) for that.  RWB’s  2008 These Magnificent Miles polishes the tour bus windshield while growling, “When you gonna hold yourself accountable, kid?”  Referring not to flightiness, but to taking on too much: “Huggin’ that stone won’t help you roll.” 

The Black Keys

4/27 @ Skully’s

Akron’s Black Keys can rock back to deep blues, but they aren’t strictly old school. Aided by adventurous producer Danger Mouse, their 2008 album, Attack & Release, incites avant-hipster guitar genius Marc Ribot to jump into the fire. More recently, the Keys made their own mantra of Captain Beefheart’s “Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles.” Still, a friend swears, “They play like early Aerosmith!” From him, compliments can’t get no higher.