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| From | Jonathan Rundman <rundman@msn.com> |
| Subject | Butch Walker and The Donnas |
| Date | Thu, 02 Dec 2004 11:25:43 -0600 |
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Hey folks,
Nobody I know ever mentions these bands, so I'm gonna raise the issue.
BUTCH WALKER: I read about him on a power pop webpage someplace, was
interested, and found his solo debut "Left of Self-Centered" in the bargain
bin at a used record store. I bought it and was pleasantly surprised. Really
hyperactive and fun power pop with a dose of 80s hard rock. Some reviewers
say it's "80s metal" but this is nothing like Poison or Dokken, etc. It's
way more clever, more melodic. It's closer to classic Cheap Trick or
something, only with really cool and slick modern production, amazing
multi-tracked vocals, really really heavy drumming, and ultra-clever and
snide lyrics. But again, this isn't novelty-rock....but it is pretty funny
at times, and totally original. I'd never really heard anything like this
before. Butch is also playing most of the instruments, so his albums sound
like some music-nerd genius cut loose in the studio with a big major-label
budget just screwing around having fun randomly making up stuff and
recording it.
So then I got Butch's brand new album "Letters" which is recently out on
Epic. A bit different than his first one...the same super-slick and detailed
production, but not as heavy. This one really reminds me of Ben Folds'
"Rockin' the Suburbs" in terms of melody, arrangements, and lyrics, only
more guitar based (although there are some solo piano moments that are very
Bennish). It also reminds me of some Jon Brion production (it's not unlike
the Rhett Miller solo album), due to use of Wurlitzers, really Beatlesy
vocals, and unusual arrangements. This one is really growing on me, and will
make my Top Ten of the year. Butch is playing at the Quest here in
Minneapolis, and I'm gonna go see him in a week or so.
On a related note...
THE DONNAS: I've been a fan of theirs for a few years, and have totally
enjoyed their last two albums "Turn 21" and "Spend the Night" which are
great hard guitar-rock with cool female vocals and fun girl-power lyrics.
Their new album "Gold Medal" (which just happens to be produced by the
previously mentioned Butch Walker!) is their best yet and will also make my
top ten of the year. This new Donnas is more "mature"...less gimmicky
topics, some slower tempos, with acoustic guitars and pianos, etc, but it
still ROCKS, and has better guitar riffs than anything I've heard in ages.
Plus the vocals are fantastic, the multiple harmonies are killer and complex
and beautiful, and the songs are hooky like crazy.
These artists' albums are the most fun I've had listening to new music this
year.
Jonathan R
http://www.jonathanrundman.com
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