Doris Henson, "Give Me All Your Money"
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Doris Henson straddles the I-70 divide by uniting former members of Kansas City math-rock experimentalists Giants Chair (bassist Byron Collum) and Lawrence's Proudentall (singer/guitarist Matt Dunehoo). "Give Me All Your Money" is the band's second album and its first on Desoto Records (The Dismemberment Plan, Jawbox, The Life and Times).
Desoto seems to be a perfect fit for the band's jarringly off-kilter brand of rock, which recalls The Dismemberment Plan in its desire to be - above all things - weird. "Pollen Tom" begins with a lecture on the mating habits of bees. "The Most" marries a slick disco beat to a chant of "Do the most with what you have / Get the most from what you want" before erupting into a chorus of "I want a lot!"
Fortunately, Doris Henson has the chops to justify its cranky ambition. "A Dark Time for The Light Side of the Earth" is a full-on rocker with echoes of KC superpowers like Shiner and Season to Rick. "Let You Down" packs a mean punch with its fuzzed-out power chords and "The Day is Done" has a glam-rock swagger reminiscent of The Afghan Whigs.
These instantly appealing songs stand in stark contrast to more experimental tracks like "No No No" or "Charles Knives." These numbers, though hit and miss, are what really define Doris Henson as a band doing its own thing. Though one could point to a long list of influences from The Dismemberment Plan to Talking Heads to Roxy Music, these tracks invite audiences to listen to Doris Henson without any onboard baggage.
"Give Me All Your Money" MP3s
Doris Henson's secret weapon is trombonist extraordinaire Mike Walker, who blends in uncannily well with the band's guitar-driven sound. It's hard to imagine songs like "Big Future" or "The Day Is Done" working as well without Walker's imaginative horn lines.
Few people will probably fall in love with all the tracks on "Give Me All Your Money." That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as the band's willingness to take chances helps it stand out from the pack and justifies a listen in the first place.
Bandit Teeth / ColourMusic :: After a seven-year hiatus, this trio of Lawrencians has reestablished itself as a top-shelf draw for their brand of high-energy, punk-influenced indie rock ... More info
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- Smackdown!
