As the sun begins to make its tentative once-a-week appearances, its truly refreshing to get something useful to scare and stun pedestrians within earshot of your vehicle.
Too vague? Try this: Based on its crushing new CD The Blackening, Machine Head is the best hard-rock band in the world.
That may register as hyperbole, but the evidence is clear. The Oakland, Calif., quartet, which broke ferocious new ground with 1994s Burn My Eyes and languished for the better part of a decade before the smoking Through the Ashes of Empires (2003), is in top form on The Blackening (Roadrunner, 61:02).
All the bonecrushing elements are in place: riff after bludgeoning riff, angry-yet-intelligent lyrics by Rob Flynn, slamming drums from Dave McClain and twin-guitar harmonies by Flynn and Phil Demmel that bring to mind an early, fierce Iron Maiden.
Throw in a foundation-shifting mix (courtesy of Colin Richardson and the bands use of Peavey 5150 amplifiers) and epic-length songs (four of eight clock in at over nine minutes), and your search is over for best metal record of 2007. (www.machinehead1.com)
Several clicks lower on the punishing scale but breathing the same rarified air are Clutch, the criminally underrated Maryland band that expands its own variety of blues-rock on From Beale Street to Oblivion (DRT Entertainment, 48:18).
Led by vocalist Neil Fallon and guitarist Tim Sult, theres something about Clutch thats difficult to figure. The band has a seemingly endless supply of groove-laden licks (equal parts Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, but offering so much more), and Fallon has a voice and delivery that wouldnt be out of place on an Allman Brothers record.
The highlights are many (Power Player, Rapture of Riddley Walker, Black Umbrella), the lyrics are clever, and the band approaches genius level with no more with two or three notes. (www.pro-rock.com)
Baker Blues lineup announced: The 12th annual Mt. Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival is set for Aug. 3-5, and producer Lloyd Petersen has put together perhaps the best bill yet.
Among the top-drawer headliners are Savoy Brown with Kim Simmonds, Coco Montoya, Tinsley Ellis, the Jeff Healey Band, Anthony Gomes, and Kal David and The Real Deal. Representing local players are Cathouse Blues Band and Backbeat Revival.
The festival cleans up when state and regional awards for blues events are announced, and rightfully so. Treat yourself right and get tickets early by visiting www.boomkak .com/bakerblues.
Lenker opts for Music City domination: One of the most consistently creative musicians in recent Bellingham history has decided to take the plunge, as it were, and take his talent to another vibrant city.
Korby Lenker, he of smooth voice, insightful lyrics and warmth-soaked guitar, is moving to Nashville, Tenn. He takes with him countless accolades and an impressive catalog of four solo CDs and more with bluegrass stalwarts The Barbed Wire Cutters.
Lenker has one final Bellingham show on his full plate when he plays the Nightlight on Wednesday, April 11, with Katie Herzig, a singer-songwriter from Nashville. Sounds like a spirited sendoff to me. (www.myspace.com/korbymu sic)
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