CD reviews

Big Head Todd and the Monster

Rocksteady

(Big)

If you followed modern rock during the mid-'90s, then you probably remember "Broken Hearted Savior," the radio hit by Colorado's Big Head Todd and the Monsters. That guitar-driven tune, as well as "Sister Sweetly," the album that birthed it, still sounds fresh when you hear it on the radio today. While BHTM has never quite matched the perfection of "Sister Sweetly," the band has subsequently released some great CDs, including "Strategem" and "Beautiful World." Go ahead and add BHTM's latest release, "Rocksteady," to that list. Featuring the band's trademark blues-meets-funk-meets-rock sound, "Rocksteady" kicks off with the title track, which is just a step away from being a full-blown ska number that would make The Specials proud. From there, the band settles into a playful yet focused groove, letting fly great tunes such as "Beautiful," "Happiness Is" and "I Hate It When You're Gone." There are also great covers of Tom Russell's "Muhammad Ali," Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightnin,' " and The Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden." The Stones cover is particularly good, with lead singer Todd Park Mohr feeling every bit of yearning that should go into that tune. If you are a fan of BHTM, then you'll definitely dig this. I can't wait to see what some of these songs sound like the next time the band makes a stop here in the Lowcountry.

Key tracks: "Rocksteady," "Beautiful," "Back to the Garden"

Kim Beggs

Blue Bones

(Black Hen)

So you're an aspiring singer-songwriter living in rural Northern Ontario, and you want to try your hand at the music business. Do you strike out for a big Canadian town, such as Toronto or Montreal? Do you take it a step further and cross the border to try and make a dent in the Los Angeles or Nashville music scenes? If you are Kim Beggs, you do neither. Instead of heading for some music-rich environment, Beggs moved to the Yukon in 1991, secured a day job and began working on her craft. If the results found on "Blue Bones," Beggs' latest release, are any indication, I predict that more than a few aspiring artists might try out the Yukon for inspiration. The remoteness of the area gives the music on "Blue Bones" a definite homespun quality, not unlike the mountain music that comes from Appalachia. With a vocal style that is similar to that of Nanci Griffith, Beggs doesn't just sing her songs; she breathes life into them by performing them. The sheer beauty of songs such as "Honey and Crumbs," "Can't Drive Slow," and "Firewaterbones" are undeniable. While not every song on "Blue Bones" hits the mark, there are still more than enough good tunes here. While talent of this kind definitely deserves all the recognition it has coming to it, part of me hopes that success won't cause Beggs to relocate. There is something up there in the Yukon that is conducive to her songwriting.

Key tracks: "Honey and Crumbs," "Can't Drive Slow,"

"Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes"

Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse

Dark Night of the Soul

(Capitol)

The story of how the album "Dark Night of the Soul" came to be released is almost as weird and abstract as the album itself. Originally a joint project between Danger Mouse, Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, and filmmaker David Lynch, word of this unorthodox collaboration started getting out in mid-2009, but due to a series of unfortunate events, including the suicide of Linkous earlier this year, there were problems in officially releasing the album. Special editions that featured a blank CD-R were offered, and Lynch designed artwork for a deluxe version. After Linkous's death, apparently record company EMI and Danger Mouse finally saw eye to eye, because the album is available for public consumption. As one might expect from a project with three such unique minds, "Dark Night of the Soul" is a wonderfully creepy musical journey. Each track features a different guest artist, including The Flaming Lips, Black Francis, Iggy Pop, Suzanne Vega and Vic Chestnutt. The wonderfully trippy and, at times, dark music remains interesting throughout, and while nothing can lift the shadow of the project being the final project of Linkous, at least the guy's final work is as musically engaging as previous works by Sparklehorse. So long, Mark, and thanks for keeping music interesting.

Key tracks: "Revenge," "Jaykub," "Pain"

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Couldn't Stand The Weather: Legacy Edition

(Epic/Legacy)

When Stevie Ray Vaughan released his second studio album, "Couldn't Stand the Weather," in 1984, the Texas guitarist already was on his way to superstardom. "Couldn't Stand the Weather" kicked off with the instrumental "Scuttle Buttin" and quickly set about establishing Vaughan's reputation as one of the best guitarists of his generation. While a helicopter crash in 1990 tragically cut short Vaughan's life and career, his music continues to inspire and entertain. More than a quarter-century after it was released, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's sophomore effort has been rereleased on a fully remastered, two-CD Legacy Edition. Fans get the entire "Couldn't Stand the Weather" album, as well as 11 bonus tracks, including three that were not previously released. The real treat comes with the second disc in the set, which contains a previously unreleased live performance from 1984 in Montreal. Vaughan and his band perform all but one track from "Couldn't Stand the Weather," as well as earlier songs such as "Pride and Joy" and "Texas Flood." The set also includes a 24-page booklet with liner notes by Guitar World associate editor Andy Aledort and commentary by Double Trouble bandmates Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon. Listening to Vaughan's guitar work on this; one of his best albums, one still can't help but get chills when Vaughan rocks out Texas-blues style.

Key tracks: The entire second disc