Close to Home, Close to Perfection – New Haven Advocate
Dashing through the discs: A look back at some standout CDs from Connecticut bands in 2008
By Advocate Staff.
Here’s our thoughtful response to the people who say there’s nothing going on musically inConnecticut: That’s bullshit. We’d put these bands and solo artists up against the best music we’ve heard all year (and there’s the added thrill of being able to catch them in small clubs and bars). In fact, there’s so much new music out there, we can’t hear all of it. There’s more than our available column inches and staffers — and freelancers — can manage. In the spirit of year-end reflection, here’s a list of some of the finest recordings we’ve heard from Connecticut–based artists this year: the catchiest, or most compelling, or most surprising, in alphabetical order. This isn’t a list of the best local CDs of 2008. This is what we think are among the best CDs we’ve heard by musicians who are actively gigging.
The Rabble Rousers, New Hard Times (billcollinsguitar.com). As timely, trenchant and catchy as Woody Guthrie, these contemporary organizing songs put the tune back in union. West Coast punk legend Bill Collins, who’s been a key player in the New Haven rockabilly scene since the mid ’90s, has not just written some fetching new fight songs to sing a cappella in the trenches, he’s made sure the CD versions are something special. The handpicked band includes New Havener Chops MacConnie.—C.A.