Your backstage pass to the DFW music scene and beyond.
The flow of fresh new tunes from area acts continues unabated as we make our way into summer, marking 2011 as one of the strongest years in recent memory for local music. Whether it's scorching, blues-infused rock 'n' roll or more contemplative, chillier acoustic folk, there's a little something for everyone from musicians making their home in North Texas. Here's a look at five new efforts well worth a spin and/or download.
Quaker City Night Hawks, ¡Torquila Torquila!: Hands down, one of the best albums Fort Worth has produced thus far in 2011. From first track to last, David Matsler, Sam Anderson, Pat Adams and Matt Mabe deliver a raucous, razor sharp blast of rock 'n' roll, whiskey-stained and looking for trouble. Produced by the band, with help from Jordan Richardson, Danny Kalb and Zaq Bell, the cuts from this high-octane debut become all the more unhinged in concert, with this quartet attacking each song as though it's the last time they will ever get onstage. (myspace.com/quakercitynighthawks)
Nicholas Altobelli, Radio Waves and Telephone Wire: The Dallas singer-songwriter continues his streak of superb albums with this, his third full-length effort. Produced by Altobelli and Britton Beisenherz, at the latter's Ramble Creek studios in Austin during a single, six-hour session, Radio Waves and Telephone Wire is by turns haunting and visceral. Altobelli pares folk music down to its essence: poignant stories plainly told, often as bleak as bone. Minimally augmented with additional instrumentation and effects, these 12 tracks put the focus squarely on the stellar songs. (nicholasaltobelli.com)
The Lash Outs, Elation and Shame: Dallas' the Lash Outs (guitarist/vocalist Joey Holbrook, guitarist Brian Holbrook, bassist Adam Allen and drummer Dustin Crabtree) cram several sonic influences -- punk, power-pop, hard rock -- into their compact songs, remarkably shortchanging none of them. The slickly produced Elation and Shame fires off one three-minute salvo after another. These 11 tracks are exactly what you want blaring when you peel out of the bar's parking lot at closing time, not quite ready to call it a night. (thelashouts.com)
Left Arm Tan, Thurm: This Fort Worth foursome (vocalist/guitarist Troy Austin, drummer Tim Manders, bassist Kirk Richardson and guitarist/keyboardist Daniel Hines) kept it simple for the follow-up EP to their 2010 debut, Jim. The title, pulled from a vintage work shirt and meant to reflect LAT's "affection for blue collar, hardworking folks" (according to Hines), suggests something closer to psychedelic free jazz than the earnest, easygoing country-rock found on these four tracks. It's tailor-made for summertime, a soundtrack for tubing or barbecuing. (leftarmtan.com)
JJ & the Rogues, Stare Down: An EP intended to tide fans over until the release of a sophomore full-length next year, this Fort Worth quartet -- Joshua Townley, Jameson Cockerell, Chris Carfa and Eric Navratil -- keeps things taut on this four-track collection. JJ & the Rogues conjure pleasing evocations of late '60s pop/rock with tunes like opener Nothing Here Worth Staying For. They move easily into other styles, as evidenced by the vaguely gospel-tinged title track, suggesting this band's future is unlimited. (myspace.com/jjrogues)
