Review by: Deep Blue Wonders ASCAP

ARTIST: LICKSKILLET
SONG: SPOOKY TOOTH
GENRE: INSTRUMENTAL / BLUES ROCK
SIMILAR: 70'S ERA GUITAR TONE
   

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Spooky Tooth, is a slow, blues based instrumental.
Not exactly the next Stevie Ray Vaughn but more a Southern Rock or 70's era Ted Nugent guitar tone saturated in reverb, and much more restrained. A blues shuffle feel to the drums, and wow acoustic drums and an actual drummer, definitely refreshing to here after the late 1990's plethora of drum loop based electronica.
I like the bass guitar tone on this one as well very late 1960s early 1970s.

In terms of production and arrangement this track accurately captures a yesteryear feel.
In terms of long term appeal, I don't think it is there. This track is however a good "study" piece of the guitar techniques of an era gone by. It is somewhat captivating for those who enjoy the guitar sound of that era, as it has an instantly familiar sound.

It's hard to tell based on this piece alone if Lick Skillet has long term appeal, but the musical ability for this style is definitely displayed so one would only assume they are capable of delivering future compositions that would appeal to the current batch of rock listeners out there.

Kat

Charisma: 7.50
Technical Skill: 7.50
Interest: 5.50
Performance: 7.50
Arrangement: 7.00
Recording Quality: 7.50
Long Term Appeal: 6.50
OVERALL: 7.00
What do these scores mean?

Posted: 17 May 2004 11:48 pm    Post subject: Mike-K Reviews: Lickskillet – “Some Say”   

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Artist: Lickskillet

Site: Click Here

Ok – here we got an artist, who is not totally unknown to me. I’ve reviewed some of Lickskillet’s tunes before. Very progressive music in general.

This piece is no different. It’s a short 3:43 minute song, which seems to have been recorded live. For a live recording, this is not bad at all. The music is somewhere out there in-between multiple genres.

I like the opening with the drums and bass fading in. Aside from the heavily distorted guitar which can out you into either the blues rock or rock genre, the drums and bass can put you into the “real instrument” version of Drum N Bass, this whole tune comes across very jazzy to me.

You might or might not know how much a percussion set and the drums can change your perception of a tune. This is the case with this one. That’s why I am having such a hard time to place this one into a genre. For goodness sake, let me just call it alternative rock in this instance.

I like the arrangement. The most impressive has to be the drums to me. Yeah, I am a sucker for drums and this guy is doing a great job. The heavily distorted guitar with as much reverb as it is carrying, is actually attractive in a way. This tune takes me somewhat back to the Hendrix days… or, shall we say, potheads days?

Not to make light of this tune, I think it has a strange way of attracting your attention. You ought to give this one a listen.

In a strange way, I like it…

Mike
_________________
Cheers,
Mike Kohlgraf a.k.a. Mike-K

My Music on SoundClick

Artist: Lickskillet
Title: Beans and Rice
Link: here
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Oh God, not another diet

Oh, silly me. I got the name of the band and the song title all scrambled together so I thought I was being offered a mighty repast. Hey, think about it. Beans? and Rice? Heavy company, my friend and one likely to explode noxiously at innopportune moments. Its a good job we don't have to deal with that reality eh mates? Or, even more thankfully, its gruesome aftermath.

I knew nothing about the band before I started to hear the track and the more I heard the track the more I felt I had to know about just WHO was making the music. As it happens its three people down in God's own country, America's 'deep south' Having spent some time travelling in the area and soaking up some of the music I think helped me to get to grips with this track. There were so many musical throwback references (both to the region and its musical offshoots) in the arrangement (if a free form 'jam' session could ever have anything called an arrangement) and the music itself so rough and ready that it compelled me to understand what its fascination was, other than being a normal jam session the like of which we've heard a thousand, million, trillion times.

Eventually after repeated hearings it started to dawn on me that it was about the feel of the track, an element especially useful when dealing with blues structured music such as Beans and Rice. Essentially though it is only fair to warn you that this IS in essence a blues jam pretty much recorded live and - therefore - as rough as an ursine behind. It does, however, give this that special touch of authenticity it needs to gain more listeners to a much loved genre. On other showings though I would expect more from this outfit because musically they do seem proficient and the vocalist has the authoritative tone this genre demands, although I felt just singing the title line doesn't give him the range his voice probably shines in. Nonetheless if you like the blues and you like it red, bloody and steaming then here's a great big (6:20) pile of it.

Gorge yourselves and try and forget all those mental pictures of ursine behinds, noxious food smells and all the other violent and unnecessary images foisted on us in todays modern media....

Steve Gilmore

Song: Beans and Rice
Genre: Blues -> Blues Rock

I don’t know a lick about Lickskillet. But, I like the genre they requested for me to review. For some reason, I do get a lot of Electronica reviews. I love Rock/Jazz/Blues/you name it! So, don’t hold back!

The title intrigued me somewhat, so that’s why I chose that one. I love beans and rice – nothing wrong with that – get a lot of fiber! Good for you!

This 6:20 minute tune is not mixed as well as I would like, but who knows what was available for this artist to record and mix the song. We’ve got some smooth sounding drums and a timid bass opening this song, accompanied by a weak bass. By weak I mean that it needs to be up in the mix. The solo-guitar (no doubt the blues guitar) is at times a bit over-powering. I betm the recording levels go wild on that one at times.

Vocals: sound smooth. Good potential for some really lyrically songs a bit more meaningful. All I hear is Beans and Rice. Not much beyond that. Maybe I picked the wrong song. You guys should ask for something that you know is your best – just a hint J

Winding down with a guitar solo that’s still a bit rough on the edges as far as the recording goes, we’re nearing the end of this song. I love the idea of this tune. A fine tune on the mix and some more creativity on the lyrics would make this one a pretty decent song to listen to.

However, Blues Fans, still – give it a listen. You just might like it. Kind of reminds me of the early 70’s actually. Not, that dope is legal anymore, but if it were, you’d be taking a smooth ride on this tune.

Summing it up: not bad, but lacks ideas in the lyrics and well, the mixing skills… it’s tough, I know, but you gotta get better at it.

All in all not a bad tune!

Mike
_________________
Cheers,
Mike Kohlgraf a.k.a. Mike-K

Hey Robert,

You bill 'Beans and Rice' as a jam and that is certainly what it seems to be.

There are little pieces of disconnected potential meandering about, but it is hard to assign musical value to it. Listening to it simply as a 'chill' piece, it's not that unpleasant, but you don't irresistibly want to hit play a second time.

What I think is that it might be worth trying to make a real song – something that, for example, says something about the Beans or Rice, or perhaps moves beyond the kingdom of food. (Paul MacCartney’s working lyrics for Yesterday were ‘Scrambled Eggs’ – sung over and over again!) So… from humble beginnings!

wow Robert...
In the words of Randy on American Idol "I'm feeling you dog.." --sorry. Always wanted to quote a pop-culture celebrity--again sorry. But seriously though... I really dug this song... Widespread Panic would like their lead singer back (that's a compliment--meaning I liked the vox.) At times, i couldn't understand what you were singing, but I don't really have to. I can feel along with the music. I like jam bands generally. They tend to feel the music while they're playing...in turn the audience feels it too. Karl Denson tends to be my favor for that genre. Good job! I liked the sound of the bass. production sounded live and unscripted....but i am assuming you played this live--duh... here's your grades:

originality 1.8 out of 2.0
production 1.8 out of 3.0, live music is hard to record by yourself
lyrics/vox 2.4 out of 3.0
instrument usage/performance 1.9 out of 2.0
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7.9 out of 10... I am going to give this a special Jam Band "JB-MP4!" salute. Good job! Keep up the good work. Post again, if you have any more songs with lyrics.

thanks for posting,
C. Willy

Lickskillet-
Beans & Rice-

Well, here it is, just after 4 in the am, and I've made it home safe from the shows.

The day started early for me, at noon, with a four-hour session at the studio followed by three hour dinner-show playing 70's acoustic covers, and then a four hour stomp with the band at a club that I won't even let my imaginatin drift into unarmed. I get home, pour myself a nice tall glass of iced-tea, roll a fatty and set down and listen to Beans & Rice by Alabama's own Lickskillet.

This is a great song to get your groove on to. Its got a laid back feel and good rootsy blues riffs that goes well with telling the world to "shut the fruck up and leave me alone for one damn minute, will ya."

There's a Wah-pedal on the bass that funkifies the low-end and the vocal, while not saying anything too demading on the tired brain, says a lot in the way of "nevermind me fella, just listen to the jam."

This is a blues jam track that lasts about 6 minutes and some change, and is quite simple. I particularly like the way it starts. It just sorta creeps into the room and shruggs its way into the corner.

Nothing really outstanding in the way of music or vocals, but still, I can't deny its ease of listenability. My dog likes it, and he hates everything if that tells you anything.

The guitar-playing is really soulful, but the track does run the risk of redundancy. Its almost a jazz venture, but has enough grit to avoid that 4-letter word.

The vocal is not too inspiring, but that is due largely to the fact that there is only so many ways you can say, "beans & rice", and still make it sound authentic.

SONG RATING 1-10:
Music:
(Composition) 5
(Application) 5
Lyrics:
(Composition) 3
(Application) 4

Overall Rating: 4.25
L