CRACKER, BEN AND A LITTLE BIT O' ELEPHANT

CRACKER - SUNRISE IN THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY


The new CRACKER album, "Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey" does not disappoint. It is chocked full of the catchy quirky lyrics that David Lowery is famous for along with some really nice guitar parts by Johnny Hickman.
While their last two records were decent but were lacking that Cracker feel, this one feels just right. The songs all rock and stick to your brain much like the first few Cracker records. The highlights of the record are "Yalla, Yalla", "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Off" and a redo of "Friends" with a little help from Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers. They have a couple of other special guests, Adam Duritz (Counting Crowes) joins in on "Darling One" and John Doe (X) pitches in on "We All Shine A Light".
Over all this CD kicks some ass it can be listened to from start to finish without a dull moment, definitely no filler here.
To quote the boy (my son) when he asked me what CD was playing and I said Cracker he replied, "Mmmmm I like crackers".
Pick up a copy, it is well worth it.


BEN HARPER & RELENTLESS7 - WHITE LIES FOR DARK TIMES


Whether it is solo, with the Innocent Criminals the Blind Boys of Alabama or most recently, Relentless7, Ben Harper has yet to make a bad record. His ability to mesh sounds from all kinds of genres (funk, rock, folk, reggae and so on) is incredible.
This record may be his best rocker. His smooth voice and his even smoother guitar playing mingle with his backing band Relentless7 to create a sound that grabs your ears and takes you to a happy place where rock n roll lives and crap pop does not exist.
To quote the boy, as he sits in his car seat wearing his sunglasses and jamming on his air guitar, "I like that daddy, I like that". I can't argue with you there son.


CAGE THE ELEPHANT - CAGE THE ELEPHANT


Heard these guys for the first time the other morning. The song "No Rest For The Wicked" reached out through the speakers and smacked me upside the head, I had to crank it, it was the only way to listen to the tune. So of course after this little taste I had to check out the entire record.....wow. This is an awesome rock record. It is a crunchy, dirty, filthy ride taking you through all avenues of rock n roll. I can play this record over and over again. Check it out you will enjoy. What did the boy have to say? Nothing he has not heard it yet, but he will....yes...he will.