Have you ever purchased a CD or record based on its cover? This is how I discovered 60% of my music in the sixties. I would spend hours flipping though album cover after album cover. I did not have a set criteria about what I was looking for, I was just looking for something new. Fast forward to 2010, flipping again,but this time the viewing area of the album cover had been reduced in size. To add to the process my library of potential new recordings has grown. My in store CD/record shopping when home defaults to Best Buy or Target. Often finding a credible new artist in Best Buy is challenging. Target often puts indie artists in an end cap. I spent some dedicated cover surfing at Best Buy this week and came away with three known and two unknowns. I purchased the two unknown CDs solely on their covers.
Sam Roberts Band “Love at the end of the World” Zoe Records 2009 / Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons ” Black Seal 2009
Sam Roberts Band Love at the End of the World 2009
Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons Death Won't Send a Letter 2009
The Sam Roberts Band hails form Canada. Fronted by Quebec born, Sam Roberts, have had four releases. Love at the End of the World did not disappoint, far from it, the record bears no quick “They sound like…” SRB is a guitar, bass, drums and keyboard band without the glitz of newer offerings from contemporaries across the pond. Reviews have drawn comparisons from everything from The Beatles (Magical Mystery Tour era) to Bryan Adams. Their new record draws heavy from the Magical Mystery Tour more than Mr. Adams. A quick search of reviews of the record I came upon one by Ryan Marr for Pop Matters who states, “…Mirroring Roberts’ weary lyrical cues, the album’s production work favors bland, flawlessly sterile arrangements designed for contemporary rock radio. Roberts may have a point in that the kids have forgotten how to dance to rock and roll, but nothing on Love at the End of the World is going to teach them.” So much for buying a record based on previous knowledge, especially a review. The Sam Roberts Band is fresh and very infectious. 5 out of 5
Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons are from Appleton, Wisconsin. Unlike “Love at the End of the World”, I had heard several of the tracks on “Death Won’t Send A Letter” on The Loft or Public Radio, but they failed to find a home in my artist data base. I found myself liking the songs that I had not heard more that those that were faintly familiar. Slant Magazine compares the band to a latter-day Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash or a Ryan Adams. I hear a hint of Ryan Adams. Death Wont Send a Letter is a welcome addition to my play list, even though it lacks the appeal I found with Love at the End of the World. Death Won’t Send a letter credits Jack Lawrence and Brendan Benson of The Raconteurs. 3 out 5
jorge
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