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The Whipsaws - 60 Watt Avenue

March 4, 2008 by C. Eric Banister  
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The band, which formed in 2002, has just released their second CD, Sixty Watt Avenue on ShutEye Records.  The new disc was mixed by John Agnello, a renowned engineer/producer who has worked with Son Volt and The Hold Steady.  The band’s debut CD, 10 Day Bender (2006) is an energetic, but fairly raw collection.  Some of my favorite tracks on this disc were actually rock instrumentals.  With the limited musical talent of many bands hearing an instrumental is a rarity these days, but I really enjoyed them.  The new CD is definitely a more mature record with the band showing growth musically and lyrically and a better overall sound, perhaps the influence of John Agnello. The band can sound like Uncle Tupelo on one tune and Rush or even Neil Young at his electric loudest on another.  The influence of Neil Young is evident by the inclusion of their cover of his tune “The Loner” on the disc as well as the dedication of the CD to Neil Young and Crazy Horse.  The required Americana CD song with a woman’s name as the title is “Jessi Jane” on this disc. This song gives us an insight as to a possible ulterior motive for the band to perform at SXSW, singing

        Oh Jessi Jane why have you gone

        You’ve gone away down to Austin for so long

        you broke my heart dear, and you blew my mind oh Jessi Jane…
Jessi Jane, consider yourself warned!  "Stick Around" is another standout, more of a country tune with pedal steel and piano thrown in.
The band has been touring constantly for 5 years, so if you are able to catch them in Austin (or elsewhere) you will see a young but seasoned performing band.  They are planning to tour extensively in the lower 48 and Europe in 2008 to promote the new CD.  Their website is www.thewhipsaws.com.

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