TonyDoug's CD Reviews

by tonydoug wright

Andrew and the Pretty Punchers, The I.C.B. Sessions (Self Released)

The Band: Andy Smith, Kevin Rogers, Greg Saluke, and Michael Payne

The History: This Dayton, Ohio band has been together for less than a year. The I.C.B. Sessions was their first journey into a recording studio.

The Review: It’s time to come clean. I used to drink beer and go to Guided by Voices shows with Andy Smith’s old man. We were a couple of fools loose in the birthplace of flying machines and cash registers. He e-mailed me a month or two ago saying his son had released an album so I asked him to send one my way for a review.

Andrew and the Pretty Punchers are a promising Dayton band and their bread and butter comes in the form of acoustic guitars and drums. The I.C.B. Sessions are five unpolished songs so keep the slick rock wax in your bag because there’s nothing wrong with this CD. The lads caught the D.I.Y. spirit and they laid it down with a gritty acoustic style. ‘(It’s not like) Reggie’ and ‘Trail Horse’ definitely are best tracks on The I.C.B. Sessions and hopefully this band does not fizzle out because Andrew and the Pretty Punchers have a great deal of potential.

Website: www.myspace.com/andrewtheprettypunchers

Tuatara, East of the Sun (Fast Horse Recordings)

The Band: Peter Buck, Dave Carter, Jessy Greene, Kevin Hudson, Barrett Martin, Scott McCaughney, and Elizabeth Pupo-Walker

The Special Guests: Coleman Barks, Mark Eitzel, John Wesley Harding, Gary Louris, Mark Olson, Gina Sala, Dean Wareham, and Victoria Williams

The History: Formed in Seattle, Washington by Barrett Martin, Justin Harwood, Peter Buck, and Skerik, Tuatara was created to write and record songs for film projects. Over the past ten years, Tuatara has released five albums.

The Review: I had no idea that this release from Tuatara featured Peter Buck, Scott McCaughney, John Wesley Harding, and Dean Wareham. Sadly, nobody invited Spiv to be part of this ensemble. I wondered if East of the Sun would be another album where there are too many cooks in the rock n roll kitchen. Those of you familiar with McCaughney’s Minus 5 albums will hear a familiar sound, but East of the Sun is primarily a folk rock album with some western and southwestern American influences. Haunting and beautiful at times, there is a musical common ground where the musicians, some unfairly considered past their best years, shine as one. East of the Sun is a fantastic album featuring some amazing tracks by Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500 and Luna), and Mark Eitzel (American Music Club).

Website: www.tuatara.com

Vulture Whale, Vulture Whale (d’Elegante)

The Band: Wes McDonald, Lester Nuby, Keelan Parrish, and Jake Waitzman

The History: Vulture Whale hails from Birmingham, Alabama and their self-tiled LP is their first release.

The Review: The vulture whale was hunted to extinction by a group of mariners off the coast of Newfoundland in 1866. It was rumored that their bones could be crushed down and be used as an aphrodisiac. Also, their meat was considered a true delicacy. A few photographs existed until 1937 but a fire destroyed all of the known negatives and photographs. There was never a vulture whale, folks. I’m just feeding you a bunch of bullshit.

Vulture Whale was kind enough to provide a bio sheet with their CD. There’s a brief history and a humorous picture where someone is getting a late night beer inspired haircut from a boxer, cowboy, and a highway worker. They seem to be working well together on that haircut. Maybe the cowboy, the boxer, the highway worker, and the haircut recipient were inspired by their teamwork that they went into the studio to record an album. If they did then the end result is pure rock and roll goodness where rockabilly, classic Southern rock, and indie rock live together in a secretive polygamist marriage. Take a listen to ‘Baby in the Oven’ or ‘Shoulda Been Rockin’’ and perhaps you will be inspired to cut that rats nest on your head. Make sure to tip the barber a few dollars.

Website: www.vulturewhale.com