Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat - Bad Juju (CD)

All Music Guide

Fans of roots rock or just plain old rock roll that is reminiscent of that raw '50s sound shouldn't let this pass them by. This trio -- augmented by Tim Alexander on piano, organ, and accordion -- puts a great variety of sounds that stay with the program. The disc runs with listeners and brings back those memories of the nights of a long-distant era. Listen to the slap bass playing on "Don't Do It" as it relentlessly pushes the song along (no credit as to whether it is an acoustic bass playing by Carlton Powell). Each of the musicians does more than his share with the songs, as attested to by the rocksteady driving drum sound of Paul Hollis that compliments the solid bass work and the strong guitar work in a wide range of styles of Jim Suhler. Listen to the variety of sound, from the opening of "Deja Blue," through the fuzz and feedback of "Restless Soul" (which is perhaps an anthem to James Dean), to the sparseness of "Chupacabra," which turns into a feedback heaven with some of Pete... Townsend seemingly in there. This is a disc that won't get a lot of publicity, but is well-worth the search that may be necessary. - Bob Gottlieb, All Music Guide Read more Less