James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
Back at the end of this month with his sixth studio album, he hits the nail squarely on the head with its title, You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks. As always, “Produced and recorded by the Dog Hisself”, played on the usual eccentric array of handmade instruments, a well-worn slide on his finger and John Deere cap on his head (remember ‘Big, Green and Yella’ anyone?).
Packed full of raw, wailing blues riffs punctuated by lilting acoustic ditties, …New Tricks is perhaps Steve’s most consistent record to date in terms of keeping you interested throughout and never tempted to reach for the skip button. Easing, rather than bursting into life with an almost Celtic arrangement called ‘Treasures’ forming the backdrop to Steve’s soft, deep, almost bedtime-story vocals, before turning up the amps and kicking into boogie mode, highlights of which include ‘Back in the Doghouse’, ‘Days Gone’ and the title track itself. For some of these tracks a certain John Paul Jones also makes an appearance on the bass, and fans of his recent work with Them Crooked Vultures may find this record a surprisingly enjoyable purchase.
Lyrics-wise, all his signature themes are in the mix: the wife, hobos, hobos, drinking, the wife, and the list goes on in similar fashion, but as …New Tricks enters its home stretch, Steve enters some uncharted territory as he begins thinking about the numbered days of his own existence. Admittedly, lines like “when I find all my lost friends… we’re gonna have a party… and we’re gonna drink forevermore” hint he isn’t taking it all too seriously, but ‘What a Way to Go’, on the other hand, seems as honest as they come, and couldn’t be written by anyone other than a seventy year-old bluesman watching old mates drop like flies around him, giving the record a personal, bittersweet tinge that we haven’t really seen emerge from the doghouse before.
All in all, this isn’t really ground-breaking stuff from Seasick, but let’s be honest, did anyone really expect it to be? He’s given us another solid album, maybe even his best, that’ll keep plenty of people happy enough when he hits the festivals with it this summer. It’s not particularly artistic, it’s never heard of subtlety, and it sure as hell ain’t polished, but bless him – you can’t really help but love the old dinosaur.
Like This? Try Richard Thompson, Dream Attic; Left Lane Cruiser, All You Can Eat; Soledad Brothers. Hardest Walk.
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