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This week in Music from the folks at KWLC

Date 11/13/2003 6:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

Denali carves out a niche in male-dominated rock industry.

Zach Hawkins
KWLC Staff

It's a shame to think that Britney Spears and Madonna are largely viewed as representatives of "women in the music world." It's also a shame that many people think that in order to listen to female-fronted rock music they have to choose between Evanescence and Courtney Love. I'm here to tell you that there is more out there than bare midriffs and "riot grrrls." So much more. But let's just start with Denali.

Denali revolves around Maura Davis, a classically trained vocalist who ditched opera halls for rock clubs. As the leader of Denali, her songwriting guides the band through an ethereal realm that echoes with her chillingly beautiful vocals.

The Instinct is a journey through a bleak and stunning musical landscape. The band's name, Denali, refers to the Athapascan name for Mount McKinley, North America's highest point. The band's Web site explains the connection between moniker and music, "The meaning is fairly obvious: cold, remotely desolate, permanent . something the band felt pertained rather well to [their] sound."

Sounding a bit Radiohead-ish at times, The Instinct is brooding and reflective - a welcome change in a music industry that appears to believe that credible rock is only a man's task.

Lindsay Kimball
KWLC Staff

Long Time Coming is not a coincidental title for Jonny Lang's new album. It's been five years since his last release, Wander this World, and Jonny Lang has been through a lot in those five years, including marriage and finding a new faith. This experience has produced an album in which all of the songs are written or co-written by Jonny Lang.

Unlike his first two platinum-selling albums, this record is more soulful, rather than the melancholy songs characteristic of the blues.

One thing that hasn't changed is Lang's ability to sing with a gutsy, emotional intensity like he's seen it all. Jonny Lang is joined on this album by musicians from Eminem, who does the drum programming on "Dying to Live," to Steven Tyler, who plays harmonica on "Happiness and Misery."

Stand-out tracks include the romantic "Touch" and passionate "Give Me Up Again." Overall, Jonny Lang's new album is an excellent blend of soulful blues.

Sam Drong
KWLC Staff

If someone had told me two weeks ago I was going to be writing my review about a forty-four-year-old blues-bar rocker, I wouldn't have believed it. I tend to think the KWLC staff brings you reviews covering the newest up-and-coming independent artists, not the latest fifth release from a middle-aged man. Yet I think this album warrants exception. Come Feel Me Tremble is an album featuring an interesting blend of pounding Rolling Stones-ish dirty blues-rock mixed with a simple guitar style reminiscent of Dire Straights. The voice of Paul Westerberg has the familiarities of frontmen like Tom Petty and Rufus Wainwright, yet is still individual enough to know he is not trying to sound like anyone else.

This album isn't something I would expect someone to sit down and listen to straight though. In fact, I wouldn't suggest it. However, I think Come Feel Me Tremble is a perfect jukebox album or something to be played as background for a party. Westerberg's album sets the mood nicely for a night of relaxing and kicking back with your friends.

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