The BellRays
Black Lightning
Fargo Records

Have The BellRays really been around for nearly 20 years? Goodness, and what better way to celebrate than a stab at a former glory and an attempt to erase the damage done by the low key and rather ho-hum last couple of records. Black Lightning, then, has the beard-approved name and artwork, and backs it up with a bunch of songs (title track, “Hell On Earth,” “On Top,” “Living a Lie,” “Everybody Get Up”) that hearken the raw electricity of the early years. While I’m still clamoring for that super-fuzzed garage mayhem of In the Light of the Sun, Let it Blast, and Grand Fury, I am consoled by the fact that Black Lightning has found both a hard edge (“Close Your Eyes”) and some killer pop melodies (“Power to Burn”), which take the sting out of over-played soul numbers without completely demolishing the band’s bluesy essence. Lisa Kekaula is in fine, afro’d form, and it looks like she and her California crew of misplaced Motown hit-makers have found their groove once again. That’s all right by me, man.

Listen to “Black Lightning” from Black Lightning!

Year Long Disaster
Black Magic; All Mysteries Revealed
Volcom Entertainment

It’s always a real pain in the ass when someone tries introducing me to a band by saying, “they’re the best band you’ve never heard of” and that’s mostly because I have heard of them, and merely suggesting I haven’t heard of them insinuates that I, unlike the much cooler, more maligned you, have my bearded head buried deep inside the business end of a pregnant alpaca.

That being said, Year Long Disaster is the best band you’ve never heard of.

I know. I’m such a dick. But forget about that right now and just pay attention.

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