Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Local CD Review Numero Uno

Atomic City Rhythm Rascals
Atomic City Rhythm Rascals (Grinning Deer)

Oak Ridge's Atomic City Rhythm Rascals have collected tracks from a 1998 cassette, Two Steps Back, and added newly recorded solo music and live recordings for their first, self-titled digital release. That makes this new CD 25 tracks and nearly 70 minutes long, which is a lot of music—maybe too much for an old-timey instrumental band. But it's hard to complain when the music is as graceful as this set of original tunes and old mountain ballads.

That's not to say this is the disc you need to have for parties, unless you have regular get-togethers for vintage music appreciation. The enthusiasm of the band (David Lovett on banjo and guitar, Evan Carawan on dulcimer, Chris McMahon on bass and classical guitar, and Tim Worman on fiddle, banjo, and mandolin) is tempered by a reverence that keeps the music delicate and often subdued. But the album is hardly a museum piece; Carawan's dulcimer gives the songs, particularly the live recordings, an elegant, sprightly feel. And the song selection—several lively fiddle tunes and mountain reels—keep the energy level high throughout the disc.

All in all, an amiable and accomplished album of serious acoustic music, and out of Oak Ridge, of all places. It must be something in the water.

The Rascals will be celebrating the release of this disc with an old-time barn dance at the Laurel Theatre on Saturday, March 3. The band will play an extended set that'll get going at about 8 p.m. After the boys leave the stage, caller Beth Molaro will get the rest of the shin-dig moving. Tickets range in price from $4 to $8—a small price to pay for some fine music and a chance to dance. For more information, call 522-5851.

Local CD Review Numero Dos

The Lovejoys
Don't Forget To Smile (S&L Records)

Morristown pop kings The Lovejoys are back with their second full-length CD, Don't Forget To Smile, a disc that shows a lot of progression and much promise. Within the span of around a year, the 'joys have evolved from a rather tentative unit into a focused, multifaceted band.

The Lovejoys have obviously been doing their homework—picking up a range of influences from the greats of guitar-driven pop such as Big Star, Guided By Voices, Superchunk, The Beach Boys, the Beatles, and even (gulp!) Superdrag. Having digested this great material and honed their technical skills, the band delivers a selection of songs that offer more than the usual three chord, boy-meets-girl pop schematic.

The second track, "Superman or Santa Claus," is the first intimation of pure pop greatness on the disc—featuring backing vocals (oohs and aahs) that immediately stick in your head. From there, the good tracks just keep coming. The most disturbing song on the CD is "Molly Jones," a twisted little ditty about premeditations of murder after love has gone bad. The only flaw of the disc is "Killing Time," an interesting song that becomes wearying and repetitive as the main riff is played over and over ad nauseam. It's a good song—it just goes on too long.

Don't Forget To Smile was recorded "at home," according to the liner notes. And, for what the band describes as an experiment in seeing if they could do everything themselves, the sound quality is pretty dang good. The CD really amounts to a well-done demo, not a high gloss album. But the quality of the songs shines through. When the band has it together to record in a proper studio, it's really gonna sparkle.

Staying true to the DIY spirit, The Lovejoys are offering to mail a copy of the CD for free to anyone that is willing to visit their website (www.mp3.com/thelovejoys) and type in their address. You've just gotta admire the guys for putting this kind of effort into their music. It's well worth your time to check out the band, and, as local lawyer Ward Whelchel says, "What have you got to lose?"

Go.

Friday: Mark Selby with special guests Lovell Hill at Patrick Sullivan's. This Nashville-based songwriter has been churning out hits for some well-known acts. Now he's striking out and singing his own tunes. Chanticleer at Church of the Ascension. Twelve voices illuminate a wide range of compositions.

Saturday: Knoxville Chamber Orchestra at Bijou Theatre. Smaller, more easily graspable classical sounds fill a classic space.

Sunday: CC String Band at Barley's. Again, they ain't going to be doing free shows forever, folks. See them now.

Monday: Surveillance—part of the New Play Festival 2001—at Black Box Theatre. It still has that delightful new play smell...

Tuesday: Interfaith Health Clinic's 10th Anniversary Reception at KMA. Come and celebrate a local agency that has helped more folks than you may realize.

Wednesday: Mike Crawley and the Mac Daddies at Charlie Pepper's (UT). They're baaaack, but in a new venue.

—Emma "New Venue Smell" Poptart