A cool album
alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 04/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a group from Boston who has been around for a few years. It consists of Margaret Garrett on guitar and vocals, and Tara McManus on drums and vocals. They are two cool looking chicks that can make noise and really play rock and roll. They came into their own about a year ago when they did some John Peel sessions. They play original songs and some covers. They do songs by Howlin' Wolf, The Wailers, Chuck Berry, and The Outsiders. Their playing and singing has improved over the years. The sound Mr. Airplane Man has expanded over the years too. The mix psychedelic garage sounds with hard rock. Most of this was recorded in Memphis. It is a raw and good record that embraces many moods. "Don't Know Why" is one of the best songs I have heard in a while. I get a feeling that they drink a lot of whisky. Mr. Airplane Man is the best-looking blues band that I know."
Spreading the good word of the C'mon DJ
Emil H. Brundage | Arcata, CA | 03/13/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Since I first put it in my sterio, I can't stop listening to C'mon DJ. These two women have created an album full of raw rock 'n roll energy the likes of which I haven't heard in a long time. It reminds me of so many other albums I've loved throughout my life, from Nirvana's Nevermind to Johnny Cash to Social Distortion. The backbone of this album is hard rock, with the opening, title track, as well as tunes like Hang Up, Make You Mine, and the very well redone Red Lite, a tune that opened their first full-length album. These tracks keep the volume dial up to 11 when listening to this album, but Margaret and Tara show their true talent with a variety of musical styles. There is the more poppy Don't Know Why, a true crowd pleaser and the song that sticks in your head when you hear C'mon DJ for the first time. There's the psychodelic Sun Going Down and Travelin', which both happen to be covers, though they fit so perfectly with the feel of this album you wouldn't know. The girls make those songs their own. There is the bluesy final track, Lonesome Road, that always generates a sad smile with the relateable opening lyric "Lord I'm tired of coming home / ain't no messages on my phone". And that is what this album, like all great rock 'n roll, is truly all about - real emotion, and C'mon DJ expresses them all so genuinely, from love to sorrow to lust. For some, certain tracks may prove too dissonant to the ears (despite my love for this album, Fallen is a little too much for me frequently), but this is a matter of personal taste, and however harsh the riffs may be played they still ring true emotionaly. While Mr Airplane Man has shown talent on all their recordings, this album blows their previous works away, along with most any other CD I stumble upon in my hunt for decent tunes. I keep coming back to C'mon DJ. Exciting, sexy, truthful, and meaningful."
Wicked messed up blues stuff
korova | Varosha | 05/05/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Raw and raunchy blues-influenced noise fest. Imagine PJ Harvey with a couple of fingers cut off and tons of reverb. Or Eleven:Eleven era Come, with Thalia on 'shrooms instead of heroin.
Yeah, now you're beginning to understand. Definitely worth picking up, especially for those nights where you're driving 500 miles in a '63 Sedan de Ville with a couple of pints of Night Train by your side..."