Article by: Jason Robey
Stiff, the latest album by Austin indie-rockers White Denim, is an addictive mix of styles that manages to stand out in an oversaturated genre of bluesy garage-rock bands. From the first chords of opening track, “Had 2 Know (Personal),” the nine-song album plays like a modernization of the band’s sixties and seventies influences, often drawing from early Motown soul recordings than most of today’s releases. Throw that in a recording studio with some classic-rock inspired guitar riffs and vocalist / guitarist James Petralli’s penchant for guitar effects into the mix, and Stiff is what comes out.
“Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)” follows in a similar style, with an infectious hook that the listener could easily have stuck in their head for the rest of the day, and a collection of riffs and licks that might cause a guitar player to put this track on repeat. “There’s a Brain in My Head” has several elements reminiscent of early work by The Beatles — jangly guitar riffs, layered vocal harmonies and, on a more technical note, drums panned all the way to the left speaker.
Right in the middle, Stiff slows down with the most seventies-soul-inspired track of all, “Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love).” Petralli’s smooth falsetto crooning over the rhythm section of drummer Jeffrey Olson and bassist Steve Terebecki sets the mood, with the most subdued guitar work on the record complimenting occasional haunting background vocals. Olson, along with guitarist Jonathan Horne, joined White Denim for this album, after touring with Petralli for his recent solo album.
White Denim has always been a band willing to experiment on their albums, stylistically and sonically. One of the more interesting tracks on the album is “(I’m the One) Big Big Fun,” a downtempo, spacious tune laced with wah-wah guitar chords and reverb-drenched background vocals.
After the danceable oldies rock n’ roll-inspired “Real Deal Momma,” the album ends on the two songs that are most like what the band has done on previous albums. “Mirrored In Reverse” is the heaviest song on the album, kicked off a with distorted bass riff that could fit in over the loudspeaker at a sporting event to pump up a crowd. “Thank You” takes the album out on a wild trip of special effects and time changes, along with guitar and synthesizer parts that bring to mind seventies Steely Dan and Steve Miller Band.
White Denim has put out a good one, Stiff an album definitely worth checking out. Grab your copy here.