Album Review: Drivin N Cryin – Songs for the Turntable
This longtime fixture of the Atlanta (and beyond) music scene has recently embarked upon a project in which leader Kevn Kinney puts together a handful of thematically-related tunes (usually including a cover here and there) in EP form. Songs for the Turntable is the fourth and final in this series. Like the previous three discs, it showcases the songwriter’s (and band’s) stylistic range.
The soft-n-jangly “Strangers” is vaguely reminiscent of R.E.M., though you can understand the lyrics. “Turn” is a rootsy riff rocker in the mold of the best 90s AOR with a Southern flavor. “Roll Away the Song” sounds like something Capricorn Records might well have been happy to release in the 70s. “Love is the World” is a singer/songwriterly number with baroque touches. “Jesus Christ” is a more or less throwaway Foghat-styled riff rocker wholly unrelated to the Big Star classic of the same name. (Here’s a review of the third and best EP, and here’s coverage of the first EP; the second’s very good, too.)
WNC residents take note: Drivin N Cryin will play a free “Downtown After Five” show in my hometown of Asheville NC on Friday, June 20.
Note: Due to an unusually full schedule last week and this week – you wouldn’t believe me if I told you – my posts will be a bit shorter than typical. Once the dust settles, my normal wordy posting will recommence.
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About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.