by Steve Earle and The Dukes
Steve Earle and The DukesTerraplane (PBS Feature Record)
Returning for his sixteenth studio LP (and his fourth full-length crediting backing band The Dukes), veteran singer/songwriter Steve Earle has attempted an honest tribute to the influential blues players of his native Texas on Terraplane. Taking its title from Robert Johnson's 'Terraplane Blues', recorded in Texas in 1936, the album finds Earle and his touring band traverse acoustic blues balladry and all-out electric blues rock, while still incorporating elements of folk and country for which Earle is best known.
Earle's well-known proclivity for social justice and speaking for the underdog shines through on Terraplane as do strong themes surrounding love, lust and loss – perhaps not surprising as Duke recently saw his seventh marriage disintegrate. Terraplane is a worthy addition to Earle's distinguished career, and an excellent survey of the history of the blues in the Lone Star state.
Public Service Broadcasting The Race For Space (Featured on The Breakfast Spread)
Public Service Broadcasting are one of the most unique acts to come out of the UK for some time. You would probably describe them as an electronic duo at heart, but their use of samples of public information films is what sets them apart, with these samples essentially serving as vocal parts in their compositions. Their first album, the appropriately titled, Inform – Educate – Entertain, had samples that focused on the first expedition to the summit of Mt Everest and the creation of the spitfire plane among other topics. Their new album, The Race For Space, as the title suggests, focuses on the space programs of the USA and Soviet Union. It provides some gripping and dramatic tunes ('Sputnik', 'The Other Side') as well as some driving tunes ('Gagarin', 'E.V.A.') that really groove along too.
By Crispi – The Breakfast Spread
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