Minneapolis, MN is a great American city with a reputation for great music makers. It shouldn’t be a surprise when great artists come to us from that part of the country. Particularly, when it’s roots music such as citified delta blues, old school pre-50’s R&B and rock n roll, it really hits a nerve with me. ALEX “CRANKSHAFT” LARSON has been an award winning, successful musician regionally for some years, with a steady output of his own albums and opening for some prestigious national acts. Now as the leader of an amalgam of local talents in CRANKSHAFT AND THE GEAR GRINDERS, Larson may quickly find himself breaking through to much bigger stages and becoming a headliner in his own right.
When the Sun Goes Down is
a quick burst of a tune that just hit me right in guts. This sassy Rockabilly/neo-Swing song is so awesome that a) I didn’t want the song to end so abruptly and b) I was wishing for many more songs of this style through out the record. Still, it is perfectly executed, rocking good fun and supremely catchy. Larson’s voice stays strong over three revolving key changes and hangs on to his sly, slightly doleful characterization of the lyrics. I listened to this song over and over before jamming out to the rest of it! Getting over my temporary addictive love for the first cut, “Boomtown” brought me back to the grooves of my 70s childhood and made me think of the Terry Kath led era of CHICAGO, WAR or even a mellow sounding NEVILLE BROTHERS tune. Larson again carries the simple grinding track with his lead vocal, sitting tight in his mid-range. A real singer doesn’t sacrifice the song, to show off needlessly; and Larson is a real singer. Neat percussion accents, revved up guitars, and gently cooed female backing vocals really set the stage for the rest of the album. “Dancin’ In The Dirt” revives a little of that first jam feeling, and the simplicity of the track is its genius. Great guitar work, some I suppose by Larson and some by the other members of the band, is amazing. It fully embodies the bands’ self-dubbed “Pork Neck Boogie” style.
Other songs, like the dusky Blues of “Trail of Tears” really show the band off too. It has economical classic style licks and blues leads galore, all topped off with his brooding delivery is a winning track. Blues inspired tracks come back later on in “Earthquake Shake”. Meanwhile tracks “Kingpin” and “Barking Up The Wrong Tree” are equal parts PAPA CHUBBY and THE BLACK KEYS. I also loved the nod to Hellbilly in “Don’t Leave”. Brilliant.
What You Gonna Do? is all raw emotion and great performances. I see great things for this incarnation of the band in the future.
—————————
For More Information Visit:
—————————
http://www.crankshaftmusic.com
http://www.slabtownmusic.com
