North Mississippi Allstars

01.22.2008 -- Review by: Joe Koch

So it’s impossible for me to separate these recollections when the opening strains of “Shake” come blaring through with the blues power the Allstars are known for. Luther’s characteristic slide work is stellar, Chew brings in the funk with deceptively subtle bass runs and Cody, as always, has the ability to raise or lower the energy the band brings by altering his intensity with Jedi-like presence. “Shake” melts into the riff heavy “Keep the Devil Down,” followed by “Soldier,” which is an example of what would have happened had Hendrix decided to cover Bobby Bare instead of Bob Dylan.

After “Eaglebird,” another blues number in the hill country style, the Allstars resume the exploration that garnered them much critical acclaim on Electric Blue Watermelon. Unfortunately, they don’t seem as creative or comfortable here as in their last effort, as “I Want to Be a Hippy” is average at best and Cody’s vocals on “Mizzip” are a bit stilted. For “Blow Out,” the Dickinson boys reach a few miles east of Hernando to Nesbit, MS, the home of Jerry Lee Lewis, for some piano rockabilly that comes off much better than the previous two tracks.

The final four tracks find the Allstars returning to what they know best, but this time the blues are thicker with metallic hints to the riffs; perhaps the Dickinsons are remembering their teen days in the hardcore band DDT, but, whatever the case may be, the result is highly effective. The guitar work, bass lines and backbeats bring you to start shaking, first your head, then your feet.

Overall: B-

Why a B-? It’s impossible to deny that the North Mississippi Allstars are the best blues revivalists around today, and an incredible rock and roll band. When they bring the heat, there are very few bands that can compare. Perhaps Luther is a bit distracted with his new post as Marc Ford’s replacement in The Black Crowes (hands down the best rock and roll band there is today - period), but, undeniably, the rocking tunes still bring it. The album lacks the focus and polish of Shake Hands with Shorty or Electric Blue Watermelon, their best works, but is still very respectable. And I have lost a little focus, too, because the summer prospect of some great Allstars/Crowes shows on the heels of new albums from each band has me dreaming of dancing sugar plum Robinsons.

Joe Koch is a writer and musician from Mississippi living in the DC area. He enjoys many forms of music (particularly the music of the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Todd Snider and other people who make music), many forms of literature (particularly William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, Walker Percy and other people who write literature), his dog Sugar Magnolia (Maggie) and long walks on the beach [sic]. Because writing and musicianing doesn’t pay well these days, he also has a day job that forces him to sell out to corporate America and ride subway trains for long hours with thousands of other haplessly proselytized commuters. For more from Joe, visit his blog at http://rebeldeadhead.blogspot.com.