Music Issue - Hear and now
CL critics pick the cream of Atlanta’s current crop
Mosi Reeves’ Top 5:
1) Deerhunter – Cryptograms (Kranky): Contrary to a few overheated appraisals, Cryptograms isn’t a masterpiece. But it is very good, a dream set to noisy ambience and psychedelic melodies. More importantly, it represents a watershed period in Atlanta’s rock underground, a moment when anything seems possible.
2) Janelle Monae – Metropolis Suite I: The Chase (Wondaland Productions/Purple Ribbon)
3) Habersham – Outside the Box EP (Audio Therapy)
4) Witchdoctor – King of the Beasts (self-released)
5) Donnie – The Daily News (Soul Thought)
James Kelly’s Top 5:
1) Little Country Giants – Sing Pretty for the People (self-released): Authentic without being pretentious, the Little Country Giants manage to perfectly capture their gentle hillbilly harmonies while writing songs that sound 100 years old. Even though they’re based in Rome, Ga., they play Atlanta often enough to be considered locals.
2) Warm in the Wake – Gold Dust Trail (Livewire Recordings)
3) The Dappled Grays – Doin’ My Job (Band Ranch Records)
4) The Bluejays – A Hundred Songs (HitHouse)
5) Rising Appalachia – Scale Down (Unwound Records)
Chad Radford’s Top 5:
1) Deerhunter – Cryptograms/Fluorescent Grey (Kranky)
2) Gentleman Jesse and His Men – “I Don’t Wanna Know (Where You Been Tonight)” 7-inch (Douchemaster Records): Gentleman Jesse’s debut is a power-pop gem that re-envisions the skinny-tie ’70s with punch-in-the-gut heartbreak and a Rickenbacker chug that leaves you wanting more.
3) Juju B. Solomon – Juju B. Solomon (New Street)
4) Magicicada – Everyone Is Everyone (Public Guilt)
5) The Black Lips – Let It Bloom (Vice Records)
Lee Valentine Smith’s Top 5:
1) The Cogburns – Pay Up, Sucker (Be Particular Records): Solid garage rock from an often-underrated (and constantly evolving) band anchored by manic Glenn Cogburn, a sex-crazed, PBR-fueled, skinny-tie-wearin’ spawn from the combined loins of Buddy Holly, Elvis Costello and the Hoodoo Gurus.
2) Sonia Tetlow – From a Seed of Sand (Elbo Records)
3) What The...? – You Have No Idea (self-released)
4) Blair Lott – Rooms and Boxes (GGP Records)
5) Blake Rainey and His Demons – The Dangerous Summer (Two Sheds Music)
Maurice Garland’s Top 5:
1) Killer Mike – I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind (Grind Time): This album possessed a balance of social commentary, street bravado and lyrical prowess, à la early-’90s Ice Cube. It lacked the commercial viability and radio-friendly material that Atlanta hip-hop music has become known for, but that was a good thing.
2) Anthony David – The Red Clay Chronicles (Brash Music)
3) Big Floaty – Here I Stand (105 Entertainment)
4) Jaspects – Double Consciousness (Jaspects Music Group)
5) Joi – Tennessee Slim Is the Bomb (Joilicious)
Rodney Carmichael’s Top 5:
1) Supreeme – Supremacy (Record Collection): Remember when hip-hop was full of boasts and braggadocio but minus the crack-speak and gunplay? Well, so does Supreeme, and on this debut the group reminds us why we used to love H.E.R. with a bombastic sonic backdrop.
2) Deerhunter – Flourescent Grey (Kranky)
3) OutKast – Idlewild (Jive)
4) Jaspects – Double Consciousness (Jaspects Music Group)
5) Amanda Ray – Mirrored Images (self-released)
??Music Issue 2007
Music Issue Bradford Cox of Deerhunter: The gift and the curse Singer takes a stand BY RODNEY CARMICHAEL
Music Issue ‘You say you wanna revolution’ 7-inch vinyl revival puts new spin on ATL rock scene BY RODNEY CARMICHAEL
Music Issue Shy D and Tony MF Rock: Original ATLiens MC Shy D sowed hip-hop seeds into Georgia red clay BY RONI SARIG
Music Issue Fabo: Ode to a Bankhead hardhead Rapper dances around critics BY MAURICE G. GARLAND AND RODNEY CARMICHAEL
Music Issue Juju B. Solomon: Labor of love Juju B. Solomon brings folk home BY CHAD RADFORD
Music Issue Rock around the clock Working-class musicians toil their way to the top
Music Issue Janelle Monae: Dreamgirl Singer goes back to the future BY MOSI REEVES
Music Issue Zac Brown: Two thumbs up (a critic’s ass) Singer/guitarist flies under the critical radar — and straight to fans BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH
Music Issue Hear and now CL critics pick the cream of Atlanta’s current crop
??Georgia Music Directory 2007
Music Issue Setting the stage Sweetwood invites rising talent to Masquerade BY MOSI REEVES
Music Issue Can’t knock the hustle Unsigned artist masters self-promotion BY RODNEY CARMICHAEL
Music Issue Rockin’ the cradle Why WRAS-FM shows locals love BY RODNEY CARMICHAEL
Music Issue Breaking the band Band manager gets acts together BY MOSI REEVES Music Issue Georgia Music Directory Search for Georgia bands, DJs, musicians and more; or register your own group or service – it’s free!