REVIEW: The Stone Coyotes, Church Of The Falling Rain (Red Cat)
- Bill Holmes
Barbara Keith began writing and performing her songs years ago in Greenwich Village, while husband Doug Tibbles made his mark as a television writer. When they both walked away from show biz, Doug took up the drums and his eleven year old son picked up a bass, and they began honing a stripped down rock and roll sound. The result is one kick ass Family Affair that filters blues, country, and gospel through straight-no-chaser rock and roll.
The Stone Coyotes pull no punches - guitar, bass and drums are hammered and squeezed for all they're worth. "Saw You At The Hop" and "Hammer On A Nail" rip with Ramones-like fervor, and Keith's solos here and elsewhere show she can guitar wrangle with the best of them. Likewise "Little White Lies" would melt the shoes of line dancers, staccato guitar racing Doug's slap-snare pace. Keiths vocal range is not wide on these songs, but her voice is powerful and confident, reminiscent of a more restrained Grace Slick. On the slower song-stories like "Folded Wings" and "The Mark Of Cain", her textures are more clearly demonstrated. The rhythm section is rock-solid throughout.
Twelve good songs and a band that kicks ass - somebody has got to sign them up and get them out there where people can hear them. It's just too damned great to be my little secret.
