 Music Reviews
Dr John: Creole Moon
EMI / Parlophone
After a career spanning more than four decades Mac Rebennack I Dr John is getting sentimental with Creole Moon, a collection of songs close to the Doc's heart. The 14 track album shows off the global collections that make St Louisiana grooves or as Dr John explains it: A musical gumbo.
His constant references to voodoo spirituality, food and festivities makes Creole Moon an album with kick. Dr John is the King of New Orleans funk. It's tracks like 'Food For Thot', which show his James Brown-esque funk gumbo perfectly.
This is an inspiring album from a survivor of the early 70s blues movements, and shows Dr John has the ability to stay fresh and ahead of his time.
Rating: 4 stars
Fu Manchu: California Crossing
Festival/Mushroom
The moment a Vans Warped tour, a festival of extreme sport, skate and music, is announced in Australia, a flood of Nu-punk, ska and metal suddenly takes pride of place in the mainstream sunshine. First off the block is standard rock four-piece Fu Manchu with California Crossings, a crunchy 11-track album of rock guitar hooks and surf music innuendo. The standout tracks include 'Squash that fly' and the testosterone anthem 'Ampin'.
Rating: 3 stars
Funk Drops: Breaks, Nuggets and Rarities
Warner Music
Taken straight of the vaults of Atlantic, ATCO, Alston, Cotillion, Reprise and Warner Bros records, Funk Drops is a pumping overview of the range and diversity of R&B hits in the period 1968 - 1973. The first thing apparent when listening to this selection of tracks is an appreciation of good music. It's a collection of familiar, rare and obscure tracks that will interest the curious, the collector, break hunters and fans alike. One track that stands out is Tony Alvain and the Belairs song 'Sexy coffee pot', which is a rare classic prized by funk and break devotees, often exchanging hands for over $500.
For an album with 20 tracks and all the funk/soul you can get your hands on Funk Drops will not disappoint.
Rating: 4 ½ stars
B.R.M.C.: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Virgin
Joining the wave of nu-punk/rock, like leaders The Strokes, B.R.M.C. are a punchy three piece. Very reminiscent of The Dandy Warhols, Morphine and The Church, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is an 11-track album full of attitude and distortion guitar.
The clangy drums drive the music along as the punchy bass and guitar follow. The vocals are reminiscent of E from the Eels. There is a morbid theme to most of the songs and every riff has a Clash feel.
The single Whatever happened to my Rock'n'Roll (punk song) has been receiving Triple J support and pricking up the ears of black jacket wearers and this head banging effort is guaranteed to make the day look black.
Rating: 2 ½ stars
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