Buckeye Randy

Who: The Dictators
Title: The Dictators
Released: September 6, 2024

Normally, self-titled releases are for debut albums. This is the 6th studio release by The Dictators covering 49 years and first in 23 years, I love that it is 2024 and The Dictators have a self-titled release. It is also the 4th reset and fresh start for the band. Maybe the fourth time is a charm.

The ‘70’s saw three releases as the band had minimal personnel changes but the emphasis did shift from Andy Shernoff on lead vocals to Handsome Dick Manitoba. 1990 saw the release of “…And You?” which was under the band name Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom but contained four core members from The Dictators, (Manitoba, Shernoff, Ross ‘The Boss’, Scott ‘Top Ten’ Kempner). Those same four core members were on “D.F.F.D” which was released by The Dictators in 2001.

The new release contains two original members (Shernoff, Ross ‘The Boss’) and is balanced out with Albert Bouchard (BOC) on drums and Keith Roth on rhythm guitar and most lead vocals. When I saw the band perform earlier this year, four of their 5 previous albums plus the new one were represented. The music over the 49 years melts together seamlessly. I’m not sure if that’s a testament to consistency and greatness or just being in a really long rut!

I won’t say it again…but I hate how pre-release songs ruin the new album experience…I won’t say it. However, if I were going to mention it, I would say how four of the songs have been on streaming for quite a while and another song (slightly different version) is available at a band member site. That’s exactly half of the songs on this ten track release and oh, another track is a BOC cover which means I only get four completely new songs. The effort certainly does not have that ‘new car smell’.

The new release starts with the previously available “Let’s Get The Band Back Together” which is just such a great opener for this project. Following is “My Imaginary Friend” which by any measure qualifies as a really good song by The Dictators. Both recall the sly humor and emphasis on melody of early Shernoff songs. From this point on I will not mention humor when describing the band because The Dictators by definition are the musical equivalent of Alfed E. Newman. Their dumb guy humor is part of the charm.

“Transmaniacon MC” is up next which happens to be the first track from the first album by Blue Oyster Cult. This is a snappier and thicker version than the original. Since Albert Bouchard is one of the BOC members credited with writing the song, is it really a cover version?

So far so good and I’m going to skip straight to the final three songs which were all previously available. I’ll save the four new tracks for last.

Crunchy riff and smooth back-ups, “God Damn New York” fits the profile of a NY punk band. The song is either reminiscent or autobiographical and has the great line, “Whatever happened to my party boys, we used to make some noise”. “Thank You And Have A Nice Day” is one of the best ever by The Dictators and they know it. Why else would they close with it on their last tour? The album finishes with a sentiment titled, “Sweet Joey”. For those that need a reminder, The Dictators were side by side with The Ramones at CBGBs in the mid ‘70’s. A more mellow version of this song was released a few years ago and can be heard at Andy Shernoff’s website. This new version belongs to The Dictators mostly because of Keith Roth but Ross is a big part as well. It’s not perfect but I like it better than the previous version and I will not knock a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend.

Sooo….we will now check out the middle four tracks which I’m hearing for the first time. “Sacred Cow” is not top shelf but is totally solid, there is nothing wrong with it at all. It’s smirk worthy that they start the chorus with, “It’s alright now” ala “Jumping Jack Flash”. This isn’t new ground, their song “It’s Alright” from “D.F.F.D” uses a riff very similar to “Satisfaction”. I’m certain neither is an accident. Ross’s guitar sound is just perfect as he does a little shredding and Keith’s vocals are totally his own. After three listens I’m really liking it. Yeah, I’m cranking it up.

“Really Good” does not sound like a typical song by The Dictators, nope. It’s the closest they have ever come to writing a campfire song but what a fun campfire it would be with Cabin A singing the back-ups. Honestly, the beginning sounds like “The Passenger” (Iggy) and then goes into something reminiscent of a Brian May strum-along from one of his solo albums. I’ll give this song a pass but it’s an odd egg on a Dictator release, the universe of music certainly is unpredictable.

“All About You” is back to being normal at least by Dictator standards. Chunky chords, ripping leads and Keith Roth doing his in key, talk-a-sing vocals. The vocals on this song and really through the entire release generally land half-way between Handsome Dick and David Johansen. I don’t see this as a problem.

I’m willing to bet Albert Bouchard wrote “Wicked Cool Disguise” because it sounds more like an early BOC song than something by The Dictators. The track has plenty of great 30 second bursts but trips a bit in the flow department. It reminds me that both bands had some common ground with songs that sounded like they were copy/pasted together and can flow awkwardly. I’ll be interested to hear what BOC fans (pre Reaper) think of this song.

I suppose most will judge this release based on how palatable they find Keith Roth’s vocals. My overall verdict is pretty darn good. The album vibe is a little uneven due to I’ve already heard three of the songs about a million times plus seen them performed live. The new material is solid but doesn’t pack an immediate ‘wow’. I will say the songs are growing on me after just a few listens but no way I can predict where the will land on my final Dict-A-Meter.

I’m giving a thumbs up, well done!

Drjohnrock

Intriguing. I have a hard time imagining The Dictators without Handsome Dick on vocals. But I'm willing to have a listen.

Buckeye Randy

Andy Shernoff always did sing some of the lead vocals so it isn't shock therapy but I know where you're coming from. If the sneak peeks from this release without HDM hadn't been so good I would have been skeptical and maybe dismissive. That's funny because I complain about pre-releasing material but in this case it probably helped (at least with me).

I did find out one additional thing about the release. The version of “Transmaniacon MC” was also on Albert Bouchard's solo release last year.

The release has been on continuous play when not watching football or going to youth soccer. Ear worms o plenty.

I hope it gets enough attention to garner some sort of club tour. They are already booked for this...
https://www.undergroundgaragecruise.com/

Buckeye Randy

Queen - The Night Comes Down

This popped up as a new release on my Spotify today (9/11/24). It is slightly different than the original album version but not positive if it is a remix or a different recording. I think it is a different version probably from the Trident sessions and not the remixed version from De Lane Lea demos that appeared on the first album. It's possibly the original demo but I'm unsure after one listen.

In a former life I was knowledgeable on this subject...

The official release is this Friday...

Premier in 39 hours!

Buckeye Randy

Two releases that I've been looking forward to are both out this week! Mini reviews since I'm on vacation.

Who: Nick Lowe
Title: Indoor Safari
Released: September 13, 2024

Pre-released songs are becoming a reoccurring theme. Four of the 12 on this release were made available on streaming services over the last several months and an additional five were available on the 2020 release, "Wakabout". "Walkabout" was a hodge podge of single releases from Japan, Australia and New Zealand plus some unreleased material. I believe the crossover songs have been rerecorded for this release but really not much different. Sooo, that's 9 of the 12 I've heard in some form or another! Some of the others seem familiar as well...maybe they were released as singles in the future and time travel is a reality.

Regardless, it's a top-notch release. Nick is once again backed by Los Straitjackets as he has been for most (not all) of the last 15 years. In case you don't know, Los Straitjackets are a surf band probably best known for wearing Mexican wrestling masks on stage. Their sound totally fits Nick Lowe's passion for free flowing, melodic rock.

The release is instantly timeless in sound and style. What this release is not; it's not Nick with Rockpile or his early releases with Dave Edmunds. It's also not the crooning that Nick was doing in the mid '90's and into the '00's. If those two examples are a full swing of the pendulum, this release is smack dab in the middle. Everything Nick has done the last 50 years has prepared you for this.

I can think of no artist that has aged as gracefully as Nick Lowe. I don't mean that as a knock at artists who keep pushing the envelope like Sparks or Todd Rundgren. Nick is living in a comfort zone and I am I too.

Well Done!


Who: Bad Moves
Title: Wearing Out The Refrain
Released: September 13, 2024

I first became aware of Bad Moves with their second release in 2020, "Untenable". The song "Local Radio" was one of my year end favorites. I often complain about pre-released songs being available on Spotify or other streaming services. Sometimes I need to acknowledge that this strategy along with some AI is actually working in my favor.

Because of my liking the 2020 song "Bad Moves", I received Spotify notices (New Release Radar) over the last nine months when four of the new tracks were made available. I totally love three of the tracks which certainly benefitted by repeated listens and not competing against other tracks on the same album. No way that two tracks by the same band would be fighting it out to be #1 on my year end top ten if both were heard at the same time. The songs, "New Year's Reprieve" and "Hallelujah" are totally great and worthy of mention.

Their style is under the umbrella of punky/pop but this is different than the dozens of bands sounding a bit retro. They are at least worth a listen so give them a chance.

Well Done!

Hallelujah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2qccLi5F_o

New Year's Reprieve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgqhOC7c7CE

Buckeye Randy

Who: Jesse Malin
Title: Silver Patron Saints
Released: September 20, 2024

I'll be brief. Jesse Malin had some health issues last year and his friends decided to help. The help is in the form of a 27 track album of Jesse Malin songs covered by other artists. An impressive list of guests to put it mildly.

The Bleachers
Counting Crows
Bruce Springsteen
Billie Joe Armstrong
Dinosaur Jr.
Frank Turner
Wayne Kramer
Tom Morello
Steven Van Zandt
Lucinda Williams
Elvis Costello
The Wallflowers
Spoon
Butch Walker
Graham Parker
Alejandro Escovedo
The Hold Steady
Susana Hoffs (Bangles)
Alison Mosshart
Rocky O'Riordan
Ian Hunter
Low Cut Connie
Willie Nile
Rancid
Gogol Bordello
Agnostic Front
Murphys Law

I'm sure that every single one us has albums by at least a couple of those contributors.

Some of my friends are into Jesse, me not so much. Because of this I'm not comparing the songs to the original versions like they are.

I'll listen for a few days and move on but it is a notable release to be sure.

Well Done!

Reyansh23

This just appeared as a new release on my Spotify today (9/11/24). It sounds slightly different from the original album version, but I'm not sure if it's a remix or a different recording. I suspect it might be a different version from the Trident sessions rather than the remixed tracks from the De Lane Lea demos on the first album. It could even be the original demo, but I'm still unsure after just one listen.

Buckeye Randy

Queen will be rereleasing their first album...again. October 25th will see the release in a lavish 1LP + 6CD box set that includes a 108 page book and they claims 43 new mixes. The presale price is just south of $200.

I bought the 2011 reissue and was 80% impressed simply because of the inclusion of the De Lane Lea Demos and a booklet chock full of photos. I was not impressed that they chose NOT to include the U.S. album cover (Elektra) which is sort of a big deal to North American fans.

Here is a link to the Queen site that details the details!
https://www.queenonline.com/news/pre...out-october-25

I find it interesting that the Queen merch page is selling swag that says 'Queen I'. It's interesting because this album was always referred to as 'Queen I' in spoken word but always appeared as simply 'Queen' in printed word.

Buckeye Randy

Who: The Black Crowes
When: September 27, 2024
Where: MGM Center Stage (Northfield, Ohio)

Have you heard the latest and prophetic single by The Black Crowes, “Wanting and Waiting”? It seemed very prophetic on this evening.

Mrs. Buckeye has been wanting and waiting a long time to see The Black Crowes. Whatever the reason, they have eluded her and this qualifies as a ‘bucket list’ concert for her. Myself? I was lucky enough to see them in 1991opening for ZZ Top. That show was a week or so before getting kicked off the tour for stage banter not aligning with tour promoters or ZZ Top.

We thought we would see The Black Crowes in Cleveland opening for Aerosmith in 2023…which was unfortunately postponed due to Steven Tyler’s voice issues. We then thought we would see the rescheduled show in early 2024…but that was also postponed. The entire Aerosmith tour was put on hold and then rescheduled for autumn of 2024…and then cancelled all together. Well, that sucks.

Wait! The Black Crowes almost immediately announced a U.S. tour titled, ‘Happiness Bastards Tour ’24 (The Reprise)’. The tour includes 32 stops kicking off with a show at MGM in nearby Northfield, Ohio. Well, that’s cool.

The MGM Northfield Park (formerly Rocksino) is a casino which is adjacent to a longstanding harness racing track. The casino has been open for ten years and offers four restaurants plus two rooms with live entertainment. The larger room is ‘Center Stage’ and has a capacity of 1800. This is not a theater but a multi-purpose room that can host conferences, seminars, trade-shows, receptions or concerts. I’ve seen some dandy shows here and any negativity I have toward a room with the warmth of a dentist’s office is balanced by the positive vibe of free parking sprawling in all directions for as far as the eye can see. Man, it's a beautiful thing.

A 30+ minute drive on Friday to a concert at the tail end of rush hour can be stressful. Not tonight, after leaving my neighborhood I have a grand total of four turns before pulling into the MGM parking lot. I love venues that are not in a downtown setting! Easy drive and free parking, the night is a success and the show hasn’t even started.

I am not a gambler and I really don’t mind walking through a casino which is good because there is no other option if you want to see a show at the MGM. The entrance to Center Stage is only accessible by walking the entirety of the casino and weaving a path past all the people playing slots. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

First order of business after purchasing $23 worth of alcohol is scoping out the the t-shirts. While standing in line, an unaccompanied and younger girl uses my t-shirt (Dropkick Murphys) as a conversation starter. She was very enthusiastic and regretted not wearing her DKM shirt, a very chatty person. I smile when Mrs. Buckeye sees that there might be marginal interest from other camps if she steps too far out of line. (I’m so glad she doesn’t read these reviews!)

Back to t-shirts. Another winner; a black tee with band logo on front and the back has tour name plus tour dates, a timeless combination. It seems so simple yet so many bands try to over think the design.

Three types of seats at MGM; aluminum bleachers in the back, basic folding chair with some padding for the bottom and the luxurious captain seats in the first 11 rows….Oooooohhh, call me captain. The lumbar support is appreciated but as a suggestion, arm rests with a cup holder would have been perfect.

I have to mention the pre gig music mix just because it included fabulous lesser known songs. “Kill City” by Iggy, “All This And More” by Dead Boys and “48 Crash” by Suzi. There were oldies like “C’Mon Everybody by Eddie Cochran but the real surprise…”I’m The One” by Mick Ronson, are you kidding me? I need to party with the author of that mix.

Age of the crowd was exactly what you would expect for a band that came out in 1991 with a retro ‘70’s blues/rock sound embodying Humble Pie. OK, not surprising that nearly everybody was 45-65 but it got me to thinking about older bands attracting younger fans. Why do some bands seem to attract new generations of fans and other bands do not? Some bands are timeless and others are snapshots. This is a topic for another time.

Opening this evening from Florida are Fortune Child who will be on the current tour for the first five shows. A three piece blues outfit with snappy drumming and lead guitarist extraordinaire, Buddy Crump. Every song felt like it was inspired by Zep’s ‘Dazed And Confused’ with a hint of ‘Inside Looking Out’ by Grand Funk. I mean that comparison is a good way, a sunburst Les Paul with warm distortion is never a bad thing. Unfortunately, their recorded work does not represent their live performance. Still, a good opener in this setting.

It's 9PM, the lights dim and AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock n Roll)” blasts out at concert volume as the band takes their positions on stage. Everybody in the nearly sold-out venue is standing and singing as the music comes to a stop and the band blasts into “Bedside Manner” from their most recent album, “Happiness Bastards”. Strong opening.

The band is Chris and Rich Robinson plus long time bass player Sven Pipien. They are supported by hired guns; Erik Deutsch (keys), Nico Bereciartua (guitars), Cully Symington (drums) plus Mackenzie Adams and Lesley Grant on backing vocals.

Some older bands seemingly ignore their most recent releases instead choosing to play fan favorites from yesteryear. Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper have had some top-notch releases over the last 20 years but these songs rarely find their way into the live setting. Other artists push the envelope and design an entire tour featuring new music of questionable quality while ignoring fan favorites (I’ll mention no last names, Todd R.).

The Happiness Bastards Tour attempts to balance everything. Three of the first six are from the latest release which is their first album in the last 15 years. They save the album’s best track (Wanting and Waiting) for a little later in the show. Nice representation of new material.

The band’s two most popular albums (Shake Your Money Maker, The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion) comprised nearly half (8 /18) of the show. Favorites from these for me were “Twice As Hard”, “Hard To Handle”, “She Talks To Angels”, “Sting Me”, “Jealous Again” and the show closer, “Remedy”. The only glaring omission from those two albums was “Sometimes Salvation”. How can you not play that!

I like when a band pulls out a couple deep tracks not performed every tour plus I love a cover version as a surprise and the band checks both those boxes. However, playing the deep track “Virtue & Vice” from their lowest charting album as an encore seems odd. It would have made sense to flip this with the surprise cover song that brought down the house, “Stay With Me” by Faces. The other cover of note was Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” with Rich Robinson taking over lead vocals.

Let’s talk about the actual performance. Well, The Black Crowes are not supposed to be shiny and polished, they are supposed to be a little frayed around the edges. That looseness is actually preferred with their brand of swashbuckling, over-amped R&B. What is also preferred is a party atmosphere on stage, the band did not deliver the party atmosphere for me.

The sound was not great, probably the worst I’ve heard in several years over multiple venues. I blame the band because we were in the 9th row and I’ve seen previous shows at MGM in similar locations (Todd Rundgren 7th Row, Grand Funk 8th Row) and the sound was fine. Maybe this is just how they sound live, their sound was sub-par when I last saw them in 1991.

Chris Robinson seemed engaged with his strutting and posturing but some of the between song banter came off a little flat and even snarky at times. Maybe Rich Robinson never smiles…maybe he just never smiles when in the same room with brother Chris. Impossible not to think of their long running feud due to almost no camaraderie on stage between the siblings.

All negative comments said, the crowd seemingly didn’t really care or notice as we all stood for the entire show. It did seem that some of our responses after songs were obligatory applause and not thundering ovations. It wasn’t indifference but it might be because we were ‘Wanting and Waiting’ for it to get better.

The final verdict came in from Mrs. Buckeye, "Glad I saw them but it was only good, not great". That sums it up for me as well.

Drjohnrock

I feel a thread idea coming on. Thanks, Randy.