Tag: rockabilly

620. JD McPherson

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(December 2024) Episode 620 is JD McPHERSON. I first heard him through his song “Lucky Penny” from the excellent soundtrack to the stellar TV show Reservation Dogs (McPherson is from Oklahoma where the show is based). That song is fuzzier/grittier than most of the rest but was a good entry point. Overall, his stuff is in the rockabilly/country blues/roots space; a close analog is the Black Keys (of course, McPherson has collaborated with Dan Auerbach). It’s retro in temperament but not in imitation; the songs are fresh and original in their homage. For example, his Christmas album is all original songs, no covers. On paper I would not normally be drawn to this music but I’m glad I was.

Favorite album: Undivided Heart & Soul

Favorite song: Lucky Penny

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: His first album Signs and Signifiers is mostly rockabilly and will appeal to semioticians; each subsequent album broadens its scope a bit. All are enjoyable.

234. The Cramps

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(October 2019) Episode 234 is THE CRAMPS.  Eventually, someone had to fuse a punk attitude onto a rockabilly sound, and Lux and Ivy get the credit.  But the concept of psychobilly is better than the execution, IMHO; it can get redundant.  The Cramps is, however, one of the greatest band names of all time.  Don’t recall if they were every included on a Tarantino soundtrack, but the growl and reverb would make it a natural fit.

Favorite album: Songs the Lord Taught Us

Favorite song: Human Fly

Compared to expectations: ↓

Songsthelordtaughtus