CD REVIEWS
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Jonah Smith
“Lights On”
Voluptuary Music
The mark of a stylist is that of not being easily compared to another. Singer-songwriter Jonah Smith falls into that category. Not so much because his voice is that unusual or dynamic, though it is quite good. But because he possesses the ability to encapsulate the finest qualities of American music while lending a fresh perspective to it and at once make the listener comfortable. Certainly the timbre of his warm, folksy voice goes a long way toward supporting such an argument. But it is also the sparse arrangements and lyrical imagery of topics ranging from love (“World Without Love”) to political awakening (Misguided”) that also separate Smith from the pack. With that said, is it any wonder fans were willing to help Smith finance this fine independent album? CV
(Jonah Smith performs Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Flying Mango. Tickets are $20 at the door or through IowaTix.)
Slayer
“World Painted Blood”
American Recordings
With six gold albums, two Grammy Awards, millions of albums sold and nearly three decades of touring under their belts, Slayer needs no introduction to thrash-metal fans as one of the genre’s most important bands. But for those who weren’t around to experience Slayer at its height during the 1980s, “World Painted Blood,” (to be released Nov. 3) with its early ’80s punk vibe, might be the closest thing to time travel for new fans as bassist-singer Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and drummer Dave Lombardo pound their way through 11 songs with the kind of heaviness and speed they became known for decades ago. Longtime fans will dig dark, bone-crunching tunes like “Psychopathy Red,” which was inspired by the monstrous Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, aka the Rostov Ripper, who killed 56 children, and “Americon,” the band’s musical middle finger to America’s critics and enemies. Bloody stuff. CV
