Subterranean Jungle: November’s Diesel & Dust

Gamma Rage – Self-Titled

On their self-titled debut, Gamma Rage serves a platter of punk with stoner rock seasoning. There are tunes about going down the wrong way on the highway of love “Blindsided” and acid “Scorchers.” “SCP 3000” is my favorite tune on the record. It’s infectious sci-fi pop-punk about an eel responsible for locating and containing anomalies. The tune works as a duet between vocalist Malyssa BellaRosa and Mike DelleFemine, who collaborated on the lyrics. BellaRosa wrote the rest of the lyrics outside of one Aristotle quote in “Wake Me,” which is another banger. Gamma Rage does an excellent interpretation of Portishead’s “Glory Box.” The late great legend Nick Iddon plays drums on five tracks, with DelleFemine and Eric Lindahl handling the beat on the other tracks. I like the second half of their album better because it moves away from formulas and gets interesting and weird.

High Planes – Sweet Vacancy

On their third record, Sweet Vacancy, High Planes continue to mine delicate harmonies from the depths of the Americana dust bowl. “A Fine Place of My Own” has a swinging ‘20s jazz feel as vocalist Annie Jaehnig’s vocals float on the crests of Greg Johnston’s viola. “Never Enough” is a dreamy slow jam. “Headed for Extremes” is a rocker that sounds like a mix of The Mavericks covering The Replacements. “Got Me Moving” sounds like it should have been on the soundtrack of an ‘80s movie. “War of Sundays“ has cool lyrics “You rearrange reality in any way you please.” “Dead to Rights” is a plea for understanding with a decent hook. I always recommend catching High Planes performing in the wild when you can! High Planes plays at The Parlour in Providence at 9PM on November 2nd.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

Fantastic Cat

Fantastic Cat is an indie supergroup of songwriters that originally got together as a side project to escape the seriousness of the music business. Little did they know the combination of catchy, tongue-in-cheek tunes and videos wearing cat masks would catapult them onto national TV performing on CBS Saturday Morning. Their latest album, Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat, is one of my favorites this year. Their songs mix late ‘70s rock, modern indie, and bombastic choruses. I caught them earlier this year at The Met, and they should not be missed! Fantastic Cat will (softly) rock Narrows Center of the Arts in Fall River on November 1st.

The Parlour’s 12-Year Anniversary

The Parlour has provided musicians and music lovers a welcoming and inclusive venue that has hosted nearly every type of music imaginable for the last 12 years. To celebrate their twelfth anniversary, The Parlour is just going to continue doing what they do, throw a bash to host great music! Jesse the Tree, Jetty Sun of Sound, and Yonks will kick off the weekend on November 1st. November 2nd is like a festival with music all day and all night. In order of appearance performing, will be Chloe, Alison Rose, Kim Trusty, Leland, Sidy Miaga, Karma Rocket, High Planes, I’m Not Crying, Viking Jesus, and Animal Face. There will be music on Sunday, too but the lineup has not been posted as of my deadline. The Parlour celebrates its twelfth anniversary with special shows on November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

The Wallflowers

I’ve never seen The Wallflowers, but I was working at Strawberries when their debut album, Bringing Down the Horse, became a huge hit. It was emotionally scarring hearing “One Headlight” over and over on the store tapes we had to play. After a couple of decades and therapy, I now appreciate it’s a great song. Over the years, Jacob Dylan has released some great music as a solo artist and with The Wallflowers. The Wallflowers are also on the new Jesse Malin tribute album, Silver Patron Saints, doing an excellent cover of “Don’t Let Them Take You Down.” The album raises money for Malin, who is recovering from a rare spinal stroke. The Wallflowers and Jeff Slate & Friends will rock The Strand Theatre on November 8th.

The Mallett Brothers

It is always a party when the Mallett Brothers come to town. The Mallett Brothers mix country and rock & roll for the perfect Saturday night hootenanny. The Mallett Brothers and Charlie Marie play Askew on November 9th.

Lucinda Williams

I’m a little late to the party when it comes to Lucinda Williams, as she has been putting out albums since the ‘70s. I started listening to her in 2020 when her album, Good Souls Better Angels, came out. I loved last year’s Stories from a Rock ‘n’ Roll Heart, which is full of bangers like “Hum’s Liquors,” “Rock ’n’ Roll Heart,” and “New York Comeback” with the latter featuring a cameo from Bruce Springsteen. Williams also released her memoir, Don’t Tell Anyone the Secrets I Told You: A Memoir, last year which I’ve been meaning to pick up. • Lucinda Williams comes to town to rock Veterans Memorial Auditorium on November 15th.

Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com