The Thin Man

Greasy Heart

(Contraphonic Music)

I imagine the singer, Kennedy Greenrod, to be the toast of the underground town in Chicago.  Wherever indie-party-goers go, Mr. Greenrod is there with an amusing quip.  He has stories from having lived in England, in California and no doubt now has stories from living in Chicago and touring with his band The Thin Man.  Notorious, I’m sure they are, Greenrod mixes in his tales ideas from the far off land of his birth and tired rock cliché bar and travel conventions.  Intrepid a character and as nice as he well may be, I don’t know, but I do know his music is better left to the imagination of a publicity company.  While, Greenrod and his band of veteran Chicago musicians are without question adept at their style and probably do listen to a considerable amount of R&B. That relation should not be made in a press release or elsewhere.  Each track stomps along at a small club, updated Stones/indie style.  A few times the group showcases their ability to play in more than one tempo, but not often enough.  Our friend Greenrod too plays the accordion, but not confidently enough apparently to showcase it on the record more than a few times.  The charm and goodness of this record flows down to you as a result of the band being loose.  They’re comfortable doing what they do and Greenrod’s accent is charming enough to affect listeners.  Interesting accents and my incapability to not think of Tom Waits as I listen to this does not make it worth my time, nor yours.

The Izzys

Self Titled

(Kanine)

Since the blues and country music birthed rock and roll there have been countless invocations of both the parents within the vernacular of rock music. The Izzys proudly carry on this conversation between the past and the very distant past. The self titled full length from The Izzys sounds authentic; it could’ve been released anytime within the last 30 years or so. But it wasn’t. It’s new, which can’t bode well considering the slew of throw back groups that currently transform your local dive bar into a juke joint. But, Mike Storey sings as if there’s something to say, and the production overall on the slab here is pretty warm. The songs are even arranged to bore you with the filler (“Change Your Mind”, the bands version of “Climb” by the Meat Puppets) and then let the good ones jump out and make you feel something deep inside, something akin to satisfaction. Actually, there are moments of groove on each and every track on here, just not continuously throughout. “Stand Up Laughing-Falling Down to Cry” (the bands version of “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones) doesn’t make me what to commit random violent acts but, the just makes me wanna keep moving. The stand out from the New York trio here is “Morning Bells”, which is pushed toward the end of the album to reinvigorate the listener with interest. Each song includes an above average chorus, but there are guitar solos on here while a rhythm guitar chimes chords. And while that sounds less than suspect, there’s only one guitar player in the band (like the Meat Puppets), so live shows may prove to be less entertaining then the recording. But if the Black Crowes regroup, these guys should open up for ‘em and take over the nation.