Mount Carmel – Real Women LP (Siltbreeze)
RECOMMENDED
Let us celebrate the return of thee one, thee only non-bullshit hard rock band in goddamn America with the praise that’s due them: if their last album was perfect, this one is a step past it, attaching itself straight onto the legacy of the music they practice. Real Women finds drummer Kevin Skubak and brothers Matt and Pat Reed fully engaged, in service to heavy blues-based rock & roll, at that distinct point where the ‘60s gave way to the metal bands of the early ‘70s. The songs are shorter and of consistent length – no drum solo this time – but you can tell how the band might open any of them up in the live setting to a higher state of finely-tuned electric expression. Matt Reed in particular has so much skill that his playing has gone beyond method and technique into a purer form of musicianship, with enough character to stand out but enough class to keep some things to himself, his voice still a dead ringer for a 19-year-old Paul Rodgers. As a drummer, Skubak has grown into the big shoes he had to fill on the band’s first album, tempering a somewhat busy style of play with a solid rhythmic core. Pat Reed has no trouble locking in with both, adding flourish and bottom that accentuates and carries things along from his peak position in the storied “pocket.” Adam Smith takes over full production responsibilities and cleans up the group’s presence tenfold over their debut, capturing them just as they are Most of the time spent with Still Single is in listening to and forming thoughts about bands that are diametrically opposed to this sort of retro-minded work, but Mount Carmel happens to be in thrall to my favorite period of rock history, and the work they commit to keeping that narrow thread alive should not go unrecognized. This is definitely among the best things I’ve heard this year and will probably top it out, the work of a band that has improved over their already high aptitude. Every other bluesy/stoner rock band can put down their guitars, pack up the drums; each person in each band should cut off their hair in shame. It’s over. Beat this and you get to carry the responsibility towards true rock music that these guys lug around with them. Can you commit like they have? (http://www.siltbreeze.com)
(Doug Mosurock)
