Blowing Trees Blowing Trees (San Antonio) The band’s name (slang for smoking weed, in case you haven’t been listening to much hip-hop lately) and mean mugging on the back cover had me expecting rap-rock. So the girly singing and dramatic emo-rock guitar threw me for a loop. These guys would fit right in at The Door. [Editor's Note: They're actually playing The Cavern on June 28] I made it to: halfway through Track 2.
One of the Boys Katy Perry (Santa Barbara, CA) This is very teen-friendly electronica-tinged pop rock from a proud girly girl. So teen-friendly that the word “jerking” (or maybe “jacking?”) is censored from the line “I hope you hang yourself with your H&M scarf/While j******** off, listening to Mozart” in the song “UR So Gay.” That song is a pretty clever kiss-off to some generic hipster. This CD probably has a shelf life of six months before the text-message teen-speak and Greg Wells-produced accompaniment is totally passé. Also, wasn’t there some other (female) singer who had a hit single called “I Kissed A Girl?” I made it to: Through Track 2, then skipped to “UR So Gay.”
Born to be Wilder Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks (Nashville) Average bar rock. Snore. I made it to: Track 2
Roadside Altar The Slow Poisoner (San Francisco) I really wanted to like this album. The Slow Poisoner is a one-man gothic-rockabilly character who sings about curses, disease, monsters and death. With a good rhythm section and another guitarist, it be an interesting psychobilly band. As it is, his weak, shaky voice and lackluster guitar parts just aren’t enough to carry it. I made it to: Track 4.
Kis Kis Kill Kill HorrorPops (Los Angeles) Surf- and punk-tinged rockabilly with a female singer going overboard with a not-quite-convincing tough-chick shtick. “I’m from the wrong side of town,” she claims in “Missfit.” I highly doubt that. But there’s a funny part in that song where the band sings “My fist/In the middle of your face” to the tune of Madness’ “Our House.” Psychobilly fans will love it. I made it to: Track 4. --Jesse Hughey
