CD REVIEWS
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Finn Miles
“Telltale Heart”
Independent release
Few bands celebrate indie-rock’s past and present the way Des Moines-based Finn Miles does on its new independent EP, “Telltale Heart.” Though many indie-rock bands often ignore what has come before them while focusing on pushing the musical envelope, they inadvertently wind up sounding like something you’re heard before and fail to live up to their desired indie-rock cred. But with a nod to founders like U2 and Nick Drake, as well as newbies The Postal Service and Arcade Fire, Finn Miles (singer P. Gratton, Scott Gratton, Laura Gratton, Samantha Carlson, Wayde Stover) embraces the genre’s finer qualities of conscientious songwriting, ambient instrumentation and lush arrangements to produce timeless music. Sad-bastard ballads like “Metamorphosis” and “Telltale” stand out, as does the surprising rock-gospel jam, “Looper,” which includes special guest vocalist Tina Findlay. CV
(Finn Miles performs a free show on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at Dogtown Fest.)
Eddy Clearwater
“West Side Strut”
Alligator Records
Chicago blues guitarist-singer Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater returns to his West Side roots with help from upcoming guitarist-producer Ronnie Baker Brooks on his debut Alligator Records release, “West Side Strut.” The 74-year-old Clearwater [who took his stage name as a play on Muddy Waters’ moniker] delivers some of his most driving shuffles (“A Good Leavin’ Alone”), low-down ballads (“Gotta Move On”) and energetic rockers (“Hypnotized”) to date. Further setting this album apart from other Clearwater recordings is the inclusion of an acoustic number (“Came Up The Hard Way”) in which Clearwater seemingly passes the torch to Brooks as they trade verses and guitar licks. Also notable is the Clearwater-Lonnie Brooks duo on the novelty tune “Too Old to Get Married” and the guest vocals of fellow Chicago blues veterans Jimmy Johnson and Otis Clay (“Do Unto Others”). Hail “The Chief.” CV
(Eddy Clearwater plays Friday, Sept. 25 at Blues on Grand at 9:30 p.m. $10.)
