Sounds of Summer - The Ripple Summer Listening Guide to Summer Fun

Ah, summer.

Sunshine, pool parties, BBQ's and cookouts. Softball games, beer, 3rd degree sunburn, and pulled hamstrings. Nothing quite like it.

Personally, my idea of summer fun it to jump right into that hammock you see right outside the Ripple office and drift off to the sounds of the ocean crashing against the sand. After the nap, stroll on down to the water, grab a cold one with my buddy the Pope, call up up Woody, Iguana, and Winston, and join in on the Ripple office beach party. But that's just me. Whatever it is that you like to do, what we've got here is the sounds to fill summer days. Gather your friends for some dogs and horseshoes, some crawdads and corn, or some brisket and beer. It's all good, and this is the music that'll make it all go down just a little smoother.

Don't know exactly what it is, but there's just something about a country beat, a singing slide guitar, a wailing fiddle, a rootsy voice or chiming mandolin that just cries out relaxing summer fun. So, with that in mind, let's dig into what sounds await your next backyard party.



Audio Moonshine - Let's Be

For whatever reason, I've got a long history with this disc and a lot of apologizing to do. You see, the good folks at Audio Moonshine sent this rootsy treat to our Ripple office nigh on a year ago. After falling head over heels in love with the track, "Slow Motion," I just didn't quite know what to do with the rest. See, at the time, we were being flooded with metal and such, and the down home, countryish feeling to Audio Moonshine's brew just didn't connect with me. But still, I knew there was something there, and over the next year, wouldn't you know, the Audio Moonshine disc kept creeping into my CD player. Time after time. Finally, like lightning coming from the sky, it all clicked, and from that moment Let's Be has become one of my favorite all-time Ripple discs. And that's saying something.

What I got wrong on first listen was thinking this was country music, and convincing myself that I don't like country music. What the fine moonshiners brew up in their Idaho backyard bathtub isn't country at all, it's just exceptionally written, impeccably performed, immaculately crafted roots rock Americana with a heapin' helping of pop smarts. The closest comparison I can give you is along the lines of Sister Hazel, and if you're a fan of that band, I can nearly guarantee that Audio Moonshine should find a place in your liquor cabinet. . . er, CD collection. Starting from the first scratched acoustic chords of the title track, we're on an Americana treasure hunt here, ambling down the dusty roads of Boise, Idaho, leisurely uncovering one gem after another. Twanging guitar jumps in next, followed by Jake Ransom's deeply soulful, beautifully expressive, slightly affected vocals. The melody here is a natural, flowing out slow and easy like an Idaho river, and Jake tosses out snippets of his quirky wisdom like some modern philosopher; my favorite line being "I don't know why my ADD gets control of me/it's like natural speed." Perfect harmonizing female vocals aid in the chorus, which is as tightly crafted as the best of Tom Petty.

"I Can't Breathe," is another stunner, riding a rolling guitar intro over a mid-tempo beat. The boys let the band breathe naturally, organically, building up steam in it's tale of lost love. "Crazy," is a killer cut, kicking off with some fine finger-picking acoustic, while Ransom spins his northwestern/country wisdom, all the way to another mule kick-in-the head gem of a chorus. Hearing this I think of the best of the Gin Blossoms, if you can remember how in their day they could move effortlessly through a tune. But without a doubt, the stunner on the album is the track that tattooed this disc in my head, even before I knew I liked it, "Slow Motion." Unlike it's name, this gem moves at it's own damn happy clip, dancing across the guitar, harmonica, mouth harp opening, right into one of the best damn vocal hooks I've heard in ages. The band jumps in at the chorus, propelling this one into footstomping territory, drops it back down, then kicks it up again to it's raving, hand's clapping over your head, midsection. The rest of the disc flows out just as easily, absolutely perfect craft. Play this one at your backyard BBQ party and just wait for the folks to come up asking "who that damn band is." Don't hesitate to answer, just pour them a big mug full of this moonshine and let the high times follow.

Buy here:

www.myspace.com/myaudiomoonshine




Old Californio - Westering Again

Kicking up out of the dust of the San Gabriel mountains, mixing tones of country, shades of bluegrass, a dry wind of The Eagles laid back melodies, a hint towards the sunshine pop of California's past, the dusty psychedelia of the Moby Grape, and the easy flowing jams of The Grateful Dead, Old Californio comes on like some long lost chronicler of California's musical past. This is feel-the-sunshine-beating-down-on-your-head while you're hiking a sun-baked trail through the California desert mountains, buccolic rock and roll. And it's damn good. Unless you have an allergic reaction to quality songwriting, beautifully complex arrangements, and a down-to-earth, homegrown warmth that permeates every second of this disc, you're guaranteed to find something to medicate your musical addiction here.

Recorded in their old chicken coop garage turned recording studio, this is the real, dust-covered boots deal. Let your mind drift back to the old days of the 1849 California Gold Rush, miners working their asses off panning for gold, settling down in the saloon at night for a whiskey and a good time. Now imagine what the house rock band would sound like at that saloon if they'd invented electric guitars and you'll get the feeling of what we've got going on here. "Mother Road," stomps out in it's Grateful Dead glory, infinitely organic in it's feeling, warmly textured in its execution. The music wraps around you like the smell of a new leather saddle, picking you up and carrying you away, leaving you feeling warm all over. Perfect harmonies, bright guitars, and Rich Dembowski's twangy vocals lay out like a welcome mat, just asking you to come on in and make yourself at home. Make this song the soundtrack of your summer and I promise you, it'll be one to remember.

"Riparian High," is my standout track on an album full of winners. Beginning with a fantastic old-feeling acoustic guitar passage, Mexican horns sound out, taking to the skies like the flight of a red-tailed hawk, soaring over the California desert. Echoing shades of Ripple favorite, Calexico, Eagles-perfect melodies layer on with touches of mandolin and a bunch of instruments I'll never be able to name. This is a rousing song, an absolute beauty, that actually has the power to unfetter my soul and allow it to soar free. "City Lines," brings on more of the bluegrass-flavored Grateful Dead in an immaculately crafted moment of California sunshine. "Warmth of the Sun," finds the boys heading back deep into their garage, kicking the chicken coops aside, and cranking up their amps for an unabashed fuzzed garage rock blow out. Highlighted by some damn intense guitar riffing and an inspired vocal performance by Dembowski. This will add some punch to your cookout. "Lazy Old San Gabriels," brings on a opening guitar intro that shimmers as brightly as those mountains do in the waking morning sun, something that could be said for every track here. A disc not to be missed.

Buy here:

www.myspace.com/oldcalifornio


Ted Russell Kamp - Poor Man's Paradise

Back when I lived in Houston, come summer-time we'd wait til the sun and the heat died down a touch (only a touch) before we'd head out to some big BBQ joint and plop on down on the deck, lemonade in hand, and let the music while us away til the wee hours. I saw some great bands on those decks, always sounder somehow better in the East Texas humidity, but if I'd had my choice, it would have been the weaving tales and easy-feeling southern soul of Ted Russell Kamp that entertained me every night.

Longtime bass player for Shooter Jennings, Ted Russell Kamp proves with Poor Man's Paradise that he's a songwriter of no compromise, great depth and in possession of a knack for a great line. Recorded on the road, in buses, hotel rooms, and probably the occasional bus stop, weigh station, and greasy pit cafe, Ted's wry sense of humor, keen observations and strong songwriting blend effortlessly into a highway journey of nomadic Americana storytelling. Blessed with an ear for a melody, and a voice that proves he's nobody's sideman, Ted's music is a spirited, at times somber, blending of The Band melodies, Leon Russell storytelling, the road dust of Kris Kristoffersn, and J.J. Cale southern-fried rock and soul.

"Just a Yesterday Away," should be a single tearing up the charts of alt-country stations across the nation's mid-section. Immediately, Ted's voice bleeds out full of emotion and warmth, through a weary tale of love lost with the remaining flicker of hope. "Just Go South," bounces down the empty highway with a southern funk flavor over a jaunty bass and some slick pedal steel guitar. The Band comes to mind here, as Ted's soulful voice leads us through this roadtrip anthem and it's twangy guitar interplay. "Let the Rain Fall Down," tosses in some mournful trumpet painting this lonely track in somber, plaintive tones. (Again with the horns. Damn, used right they can just melt my soul!) "Long Distance Man," is a double-entendre groovin' trucker of a tune, while "Dixie," is a Melencamp-esque look back through life's rearview mirror, and feature's one of the album's most infectious choruses. Another gem to add to your backyard BBQ or any occasion to while away the summer days.

Pope, grab me a lemonade, we got us a beach party to get to.

--Racer

Buy here:

www.tedrussellkamp.com


Audio Moonshine



Old Californio



Ted Russell Kamp