Darrell Kelley "Focus" Review

Darrell Kelley is an artist that keeps his nose to the grindstone. That is evident in the sheer amount of music this artist has released recently. Focus is his latest missive to his fans and his congregation. It begins with the good Bishop exhorting his listeners to get up off the couch and focus on engagement with their fellow human beings to better their communities. The understanding tone in which he says “I know you didn’t succeed this time” shows he has the understanding of the individual in mind. That quickly gives way to his next forceful part of his message. The larger community is the recipient of the next part, “I know you can do this”. He knows you can because, he understands that he himself can. 

Confidence and truth mixed together can be a heady brew. Especially, when you take it seriously. Bishop Kelley, is a serious man when it comes to the production of humanity and spreading a good message. “The sky is the limit and the rest of it is up to you” also betrays a deeper understanding of how humanity can be confused by various messages and politics where the individual and their actions get subsumed by the collectivist ideas that are born of man, not the message that is born of God’s wisdom.  Man has proven to be a marvelous and wondrous being when combined with true and honest faith in God. More lives have been saved by religion, than any political party will ever allow credit for. He goes deeper into these concepts in his role as the author of the Book of UWGEAM.

There is something appealing though in regards to the constraints a 4-minute song can produce in preaching a message. There is no room for fat in these songs. Clear and concise wording meant to have impact and meaning is the order of the day on Focus. Which this reviewer find’s very ironic, in a mirthful way. The only thing I can suggest that the Pastor focus on himself, is widening the production elements here. This track treads the same ground production wise as some of his earlier songs.  His last release, Call His Name, had broken out of that staid production formula and to find this track as the next release was a small let down. There is a real contender of an artist here. He should be focusing on furthering his art in the realms of the new. While keeping his message of God’s love uniform. I think if he looks deep inside and applies a little “Focus” he can keep moving his music and his career going ever upward. The song, despite having such good message, feels like a place holder, not a great leap forward. 

Darkness City

The band picture used when Darkness City was recorded made me ask Farrah why she was the nurse in the picture, and the men the doctors. I know it was the 1990's before the #me-too movement, but did Farrah get trapped into those old stereotypes, or was she exploiting masculine desires to be dominated by a nurse as I see in this photo. If so she’s a truly super intelligent villain of an evil woman.

What I see in this video is that Farrah Fire has not stepped into any of the usual traps woman step into when doing a video which turns out to be about pleasing the dog desires of men. You know every dog needs to go out for a walk. If Farrah Fire did try to appeal to the dog (no offence to dogs but pig would be to harsh) in men she certainly killed it when she decided to dance around dressed up in a peace head cultist leather outfit with creepy monster mash make-up spliced with the ultra-sexy guitar swinging dominatrix. Talk about sweet and sour sauce! 

As for setting fire to the park it looks like the black cube made Farrah do it. I’ve watched all sorts of things about these black cubes strategically placed around the world for satanic reasons… is this the message? If so you are truly a diabolical feminist. Your tough yet feminine style shows a classic originality that has been created by a woman who sees. I can understand why Genya Ravan was Farrah’s producer on the track. Because Genya, a tough cookie back in her day and her band “Goldie and the Gingerbreads”, made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Got to admit the guys in Farrah Fires previous band, formerly known as “Bettyford”, were no slouches either. Like those drums Kidd Lynch 666 hits hard reminding me to go out tonight instead of sitting at home watching YouTube. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for reminding me not to drive but instead take a cab. I’m looking forward to that next video, Farrah Fire.

Wide Awake! by PARQUET COURTS

Wide Awake!, the new long-awaited album from PARQUET COURTS, opens sounding like Austin-flavored MC5 on nicotine, drawing influences from The Fugs and Pavement, with a knowing nod to (the criminally underrated) My Bloody Valentine.

Wide Awake! is the roots-soul-ers' attempt at soaring, ethereal, genre-bending orchestration rock.

Wide Awake! takes some time to sink in—for good reason: Andrew Savage was writing this music in prison. Thus, Wide Awake! marks a musical turning point, á la the Beatles' White Album (except without the talent).

"Total Football" echoes strains of a Pixies-esque arrangement, with a penchant for visceral guitar pastiche and safe vocal oscillations, while the more accomplished "Violence" returns to form, reminiscent of Link Wray on Pepto Bismol. However, PARQUET COURTS returns to form with "Before the Water Gets Too High". But such lack of design has its own charm. The result? bucolic, cosmic, brilliant twang-country. Perfect for drinking alone during midnight at school.

Round Up

Here’s a round up of what’s come across my desk recently but still haven’t had a chance to write full reviews about yet:

Jonathan Kriesberg & Nelson Veras lay down some fluid jazz conversations between acoustic and electric guitar on Kreisberg Meets Veras. Pristine R&B/Soul vocal styling and unfettered creativity run rampant on chameleonic future-soul explorations with Soil by Serpentwithfeet. The Georgetown Orbits’ Solar Flares is a hearty mix of mostly instrumental ska with dynamic vocal additions. Do you like Neko Case or Camp Cope? Then you’ll love Magic Gone by Petal. Its punchy, upbeat numbers and introspective acoustic work go together like bread and butter. But then again maybe you’re more into Jessica Lea Mayfield, or what about Angel Olsen? Then rock out to moody, driving, shoegaze-inspired meditations on loss with Lauren Lakis’ Ferocious. The Suffers give us a generous dose of retro-styled R&B with modern ideals and some amazing vocal work. Cage The Elephant fans can rock out to Scout by Calpurnia and its teenage rock tipping hat to classic sounds with youthful enthusiasm.

A Few Highlights From Fulton County’s Reversal Of Time Album

Everybody down south knows the shuffle. The shuffle is when it is so hot outside that your feet feel heavy and you can’t lift them up to walk. Nobody down south needs to be on time that bad that they have to run and get all sweated up just to not be late. The shuffle is laid back, slow deliberate, sometimes it even has a backbeat that is hard to master. Fulton County ‘s music is like the sonic equivalent of a Hot’ Lanta shuffle.

The difference is Fulton County is doing its shuffle in the Atlanta Night time. When things cool down enough, in the South, it gets the bodies moving out of the house and down to the streets of the neighborhood. Then they start heading in the directions of the club. When the sun goes down in Fulton County the Butter Tims start riding.  Many people have talked about the life. Gucci Mane let you know about low spirits in the cell and the True Religions sagging. Fulton County comes at it from a fresher perspective.

Fulton County’s Reversal Of Time is more of a celebration than a news report to the hip hop nation.  Mr. Flamboyant, Kilo Ali and featured chanteuse Ebony Camille, create the nighttime world through their music. On Inside Out they explore the aromas and joys of champagne and Corona. Fashion is as much a part of life in Fulton County as what is going down on da corner. Remember one thing about rap and hip-hop music, it is about the message. It is about conversation. When you hear the phone conversation between Ebony and Mr Flamboyant, they are talking about the real. Conversation includes asking about how they are keeping the books. They ask how is the baby doing. It reflects the daily life of modern hip hop. It is no longer people on the corner slinging rocks.

But you still hear the sounds of danger of where these guys grew up on the track Flam Boy Ant. The shots ring out and it is hard to tell if it is payback or defense. It does not really matter in a place like Fulton County. DJ Taz and Kilo Ali once again create a tapestry that falls right in line with getting speakers cranking and head bobbing up and down. We will see how long the project can keep it up. This reviewer hopes that the tracks keep coming, because I can’t know what happens in every neighborhood, but it is great to get a glimpse every now and then. All done to a beat that get some going. Keep it coming fellas, and they will keep it coming to you.

Round Up

Here’s a round up of what’s come across my desk recently but still haven’t had a chance to write full reviews about yet:

Just heard an interesting jazzy vocal/piano collaboration with touches of the blues by Gregory Generet & Richard Johnson on their 2 Of A Kind collection. The Get Up Kids/Kicker teaser EP of new material from these infectious pop/punkers. From NYC The Hungry March Band/Running Through With The Sadness pitch some funky instrumental marching band sounds mashed up with R&B/Soul sensibilities. Fascinator/Water Sign is a dance floor ready one-man show who fiddles around with electro-psych ideas. Got me some diverse romps with ska, punk, and reggae sounds on Haters Dozen by the Hub City Stompers. River Whyless/Kindness, A Rebel is what you get when thisAshville, NC quartet mixes high-energy indie rock with neo-folk sensibility. If you like bands like Sonic Youth or A Place To Bury Strangers then you’ll really like the engaging explorations in the art rock/post-punk realm from Nikola Tesla’s Missing Weapon from Astral.