Spectreview: The Black Tones – Cobain and Cornbread

-PURPLE-

The Black Tones, a duo of twins Eva and Cedric Walker, tell you everything you need to know about their musical outlook from the title of their debut studio album, Cobain and Cornbread. And for the most part, the Cornbread is the focus here; chunky, tried-and-tested blues prevail, in many of its myriad forms. The twins heavily express their Southern roots: “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)” is anchored by an extended blues jam and a call-and-response coda, “Rivers of Jordan,” rides along the Delta as a traditional stomp, and the placid strum of the banjo leads the exceptional, charming “Striped Walls.” Their punk side comes through in subtler touches, in sound (“Ghetto Spaceship’s” pleasantly dissonant opening chords, the constant presence of classic distortion) and in spirit (the intentional interjection of studio sounds). The album ends strongly with the fun, energetic garage-rock of “Welcome, Mr. Pink,” providing an inkling of an evolutionary direction for the band. Cobain and Cornbread succeeds as a comforting, fun blues record with a whole lot of personality.

Recommended for your upcoming backyard barbecues.