THe BAcksliders
You're Welcome (Self-released)
By John S.W. MacDonald
Published: June 9th, 2008 | 1:00pm
"Rocknroll" – that's the answer BAcksliders' guitarist Chris Bonner gives in interviews to describe his band's sound; meanwhile, the Dallas Observer named the local quartet the city's "Best Blues" band last year. All of which tells you a little something about THe BAcksliders (no, the capital "H" and "A" are no typos): that, like many bands before them, they do a little of both.
"Rocknroll" may work to describe THe BAcksliders' sound: sucker-punch power-pop with the occasional vocal harmony or Flying V guitar solo. Just imagine a Blondie that only Texas truckers could love. But the "blues" is a much better descriptor of their attitude — of lead singer Kim Pendleton's gruff come-ons, her knee-high leather boots and hoop earrings, the way her hip shakes each time she smacks a tambourine against her palm.
Unfortunately, there's precious little personality in either of THe BAcksliders' personas. Pendleton has potential, but it's rarely glimpsed on You're Welcome. On her own, she's too timid to exploit that raspy wound at the upper end of her register, and the songs seldom have the energy to force her over the edge. Pendleton's husband Bonner, bassist Nolan Thies, and drummer Taylor Young are competent enough, but there's that sneaking suspicion you've heard it all before – the bittersweet guitar solo opening "Typically I Don't Mind" (George Harrison?), or the meaty riff on "Fat Girls" (isn't that Skynyrd's "Gimmie Three Steps"?).
If their YouTube clips are any indication, THe BAcksliders are a band to be experienced live, which is, of course, no excuse for them to snore in the studio. Maybe if the quartet started digesting all those hearty influences (the Whos, Tom Pettys, and Joan Jetts) that sit so heavy on You're Welcome, THe BAcksliders' "rocknroll" wouldn't sound like everyone else's.
—
THe BAckslider's official site
Issue #30
Comments
Please login to be able to comment on this article.
more