The first batch of Local Spins album reviews for August features a popular jam band, a hard-rock fave, an up-and-coming hip hop artist and a bluegrass gem. Listen to tracks from each release.
Taking the Next Step: Desmond Jones just released its impressive sophomore album. (Photo/Anna Sink)
Desmond Jones
“Hello, Helou”
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Grand Rapids longtime favorite Desmond Jones newest record, “Hello, Helou,” sparkles. At seven tracks, the collection of songs doesn’t necessarily paint a cohesive picture: It’s more like a collage, filled with genre snippets, extended instrumental breakdowns, funk songs about sandwiches (“Hott Hamm”), lots of horns and a cornucopia of percussion. “Sylvia” is like diving into a heart-shaped pool on a sweltering L.A. day in the 1970s that is, in actuality, a portal to outer space. There’s a vintage tint to the song, not unlike a pair of gold-rimmed aviators. A colorful horn section dances around a quickly shuffling rhythm, including a thick saxophone lead. The strong structure of the song, its developing story, and aching sincerity makes this one of the best tracks on the album right out of the gate. “Split Again” channels a kind of country outlaw energy into its measures. Speeding into the sunset in a getaway car, with drums and guitar behind the wheel, the group lets the simplicity of this song do most of the talking. The fireworks finale, “Pat and the Big Carrot,” takes an epic journey with math-jam passages, soul-devouring breakdowns, more horns, an excellent guitar riff and a wall of gang vocals. But it’s the balance of heavy and light that shines brightly on this song. One vast improvement on Desmond Jones’ sophomore release: the group’s vocal performance. The band’s strength has certainly centered on its instrumentals and spirited energy, but it feels as though they paid a great deal of attention to vocal performances on each track for this project. It shows and it’s impressive, and it would be great to see this newly refined vocal energy further employed lyrically. (Instead of spending a precious five minutes of this 34-minute album on a love letter to a sandwich, why not explore deeper and more meaningful subject matter?)
Overall, band members have created a record that is uniquely their own. “Hello, Helou” is an enjoyable, light-hearted album. It has some truly unique combinations of instrumentation, plenty of carefully composed instrumentals, and a curious playfulness. Roll down the windows and go for a drive; ride a bike through the bustling city; take an evening afterglow stroll, all while letting Desmond Jones take you on a parallel journey. – Ricky Olmos
Website: https://www.desmondjonesband.com/
Upcoming Shows: 11 a.m. Friday (Aug. 2) for Local Spins on WYCE (88.1 FM); Aug. 8-10 at Cowpie Music Festival outside Caledonia; Aug. 15 at Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts Series in Lowell; Aug. 23 at Otus Supply in Ferndale; Aug. 24 at Elevation inside The Intersection in Grand Rapids (Vinyl-Release Show)
Listen: “Sylvia”
Trixy Tang
“Trixy Tang”
Trixy Tang has made quite an impact across West Michigan as a top-of-the-line cover band, but that was never the master plan. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Trixy Tang just wants to put the party back in rock ‘n’ roll, and band members are taking the leap into original work to do so with their self-titled “Trixy Tang.” Vocalist Klay Fennema, bassist Kevin Turner, guitarist Rey Hernandez and drummer Chris Rajt roll out a fan favorite with “Whiskey Women,” a heavy but hair guitar number (think Mötley Crüe a la “Dr Feelgood”) and an enjoyable vocal performance. Speaking of Fennema, tracks such as “Fade Away” showcase just how much his voice is suited to this band: All of the best rock ‘n’ rollers know that a little falsetto never hurt anyone. The album features a couple of slower tracks, even a ballad, but the album really shines wherever one can picture oneself headbanging along to the music live. Are there many deep, contemplations on the human spirit? No, but who the hell listens to hair metal for that in the first place? If you’re looking for a beer-swigging, air-guitaring good time, check this out, then go see them in person. For fans of Mötley Crüe, Poison and denim vests. – Molly Long
Website: https://trixytang.com/
Upcoming Shows: 6:30 p.m. Friday (Aug. 2) for Holland Concert Series at Kollen Park in Holland; Aug. 9-10 at Horn’s Bar on Mackinac Island; Aug. 17 for “Original Lineup Reunion Show” at Itty Bitty Bar in Holland; Sept. 7 at Elevation inside The Intersection in Grand Rapids (Album-Release Show) with Gorgeous Nightmare, Coldville and Hazard
Listen: “Fade Away”
Vee Tha Rula
“Konfetti EP”
Making a name for himself in Phoenix, after moving there at the age of 27, Christian Dion Dean “Vee The Rula” (short for visionary) grew up on the streets of Grand Rapids, which earns him a spot on this week’s reviews. (He also recently played a showcase at The Pyramid scheme hosted by Lady Ace Boogie). Relaxed beats, synth and piano-driven soundscapes along with an upbeat vocal performance full of an undeniable urgency propel “Konfetti EP.” The result is an absorbing, hook-filled product. Check out “The Get Up” or the self-assured “Glow” (feat. Dom G) to see what I mean. There’s an anger and a hunger in Vee the Rula’s voice that’s reminiscent of other up-and-coming rappers like Joyner Lucas. In fact, I could see Vee The Rula as a popular opening act or collaborator, fitting in well with a pantheon of popular contemporary rap artists. “Konfetti EP” also features some great collaborations: “Blood On The Floor” (feat. Syne) for one is a hard-driving track with one of the most aggressive beats on the EP. At the end of the day, what listeners will find is a well-developed artist with a lot of passion and a great sense of how to keep up with the game. – Molly Long
Website: https://www.veetharula.com/
Upcoming Shows: Aug. 21 at My Place Bar & Restaurant in Grand Rapids
Listen: “The Get Up”
Full Cord
“Choreomania”
There are plenty of bluegrass bands — especially nowadays — that can drop your jaw with their instrumental prowess, the sort of technically proficient jamming that guitar, mando and banjo geeks strive to emulate. And there are a fair number of groups who also possess harmony-laden, drawling, classically cute vocals. But few outfits ooze the all-out charm of Full Cord, a West Michigan super-group of sorts that not only “has a very deep understanding of the etiquette and musical skill behind a traditional jam and how to get lost in a vamp that shows off our skill,” but also how to fully engage listeners — even when it comes to a studio recording. The band featuring Eric Langejans, bassist Todd Kirchner, mandolinist Brian Oberlin and fiddler Grant Flick (with banjo player Luke Gitchel filling in when needed) exudes an upbeat flair honed by that special camaraderie that comes from guys who love to play together. Their new six-track EP recorded at Grand Haven’s Third Coast Recording Co. literally soars from one ear-pleasing gem to another, from “Boneyard Vamp” that gets things started to the Oberlin-penned “Leadfoot” that closes it all out. The liner notes explain that the album title, “Choreomania,” refers to a one-time social phenomenon that involved groups of people dancing erratically. Well, Full Cord is doing its part to spark that madness yet again. – John Sinkevics
Website: https://fullcord.bandzoogle.com/home
Upcoming Shows: Aug. 16 at Hoxeyville Music Festival in Wellston (Album-Release Show); Aug. 23 at The Mitten Bar in Ludington
Listen: “Cajun Mandolin”
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