Luke Starkiller
Luke Starkiller Independent
With the countless variety of music instantaneously available to listeners today, it is rare to discover anything that sounds new; it’s even rarer to discover something new that sounds good. Thankfully, Luke Starkiller’s recipe for blending contrasting rock flavors (pop-punk and speed metal) delivers a delectable alt. rock dish that’s refreshingly unique...oh, and it’s REALLY good. Each of the four songs on their eponymous debut EP flawlessly fuses the fluid hooks and melodic vocals of contemporary commercial punk rock with the detailed guitar-playing precision of ‘80s thrash-bands like Metallica and Megadeth. It’s aggressive, but not assaulting, injecting just the right amount of auditory adrenaline into your system to get you feeling pumped.
“Let Go” and “Hard Merchandise” are the album’s most compact and infectious tracks— both kick off with catchy surf hooks and then ride in on a ferocious wave of head-banging riffs. “Hard Merchandise” also shows signs of jazz guitar influence, and delivers the EP’s popiest chorus (“do-do-do-do-do-do”). “Solid Blue” switches up this pattern; its blues-metal chords sprint out the block from the start, only slowing the pace for the refrain before going full-speed again for another lap. “Same Sorrow,” the album closer, begins as a melancholy piano/acoustic ballad accompanied by a softly sung account of cyclic loss and mourning. However, the slow dirge eventually erupts into a five-minute-plus maelstrom of thundering thrash-rock, ending the track with an epic explosion of instrumental emotion—think a funkier, punkier rethinking of Metallica’s “One.”
Luke Starkiller are currently working on material for their first LP. Get a taste of their early work now before they break big. —Greg Roques
Supagroup Hail! Hail!
Foodchain Records
Supagroup has toured around the U.S. with huge acts for decades. Their brand new album Hail! Hail! is a pure rock n’ roll tribute that wears its heros on its sleeves, especially considering the name of the album and title track is from a Chuck Berry song of the same name. Supagroup takes cues from rock spanning from the ‘50s to the ‘90s. “Back in the Game” has a fun, bluesy rock feel reminiscent of Bon Scott-era AC/DC, and “That’s Enough Boys” channels Anthrax with its classic thrash riffs, rebellious lyrics and police siren samples. Supagroup even profiles the violence of their hometown in “Never Bring a Knife to a Gunfight.” Not every song is an adrenaline pumping rock anthem. “Along the Yangtze” is a gorgeous acoustic interlude amidst the high energy, and it really shows the musicians’ versatility. Hail! Hail! is a rollicking trip into rock’s history. You may want to whip out your gear from the days of the Warehouse.—Emily Hingle
Dr. Michael White
Adventures in New Orleans Jazz, Part 1 Basin Street Records
New Orleans’ pre-eminent clarinetist Dr. Michael White has put out an infectious new album blending Caribbean, African, and popular music with his distinct brand of trad.
jazz style. Adventures in New Orleans Jazz, Part 1 comes three years after the masterful, critically-acclaimed Blue Crescent, offering a more lighthearted sound with minor sprinklings of sorrow. Songs like “Basin Street Blues” and “I’m Going To Hoodoo to get Your Love” are classic New Orleans, pairing the clarinetist with vocalist and trumpeter Gregory Stafford and singer Thais Clark. The standout track of this album turns out to be White’s take on “House of the Rising Sun”. The rendition is haunting and ethereal, coming in strong with a staccato solo banjo just heartbreaking enough to set the mood before White lays into the classic melody. Throughout the album each trill and wail is White in top, evocative form. Expect Adventures in New Orleans Jazz, Part 2 sometime next year. —April Siese
Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs
504-799-8147 P.O.M.E. Music Group
Yes, it is his actual cell phone number. As an expression of love and open communication to his growing fan base, Shamarr Allen and his five Underdawgs labeled their newest album with a direct line to his cell—a funky rock/hip hop album that’s also a direct line to many of Allen’s thoughts and musical aspirations. While the opening track “Typical Rock Star” initially thrusts the album into high-gear with spirited lines from the trumpet and keys over driving rock bass and guitar parts, the mood, tempo and energy of the album fluctuates throughout. From the poppy sensibilities of “Whatever You Wanna Do,” to the distorted power chords and nostalgic horn melodies of “Leaky Faucet,” to the silky smooth R&B of “One Night Stand,” this album truly runs the gamut of musical inspiration, taking unexpected twists and chances with each track. Allen sings and raps throughout the album, and “Mr. Old Man,” is one of his most inspired commentaries, arguing for a progressive, fusion-based approach to music amidst the more traditional attitudes of his musical forefathers. And Shamarr isn’t the only “Allen” on his latest effort: “You’re My Doctor” features Shamarr’s younger guitarshedding brother Khalid, and his still younger son Jarrel kills the last verse of the dance floor banger, “P.A.N. (Party All Night)”—proof that the talent runs deep in this NOLA family. Give the album a listen and let Shamarr know what you think—he’ll be waiting for your call. —Carolyn Heneghan
