Rob's Album Of The Week: White Denim's Corsicana Lemonade

By Rob Duguay

To say Austin, TX rock quartet White Denim are a multi-faceted band is a vast understatement of how versatile of an act they are. A sound ranging from garage rock, blues, psychedelic, experimental and punk really makes this band something else when it comes to this old-school rock & roll revival America is currently experiencing. With their 6th album Corsicana Lemonade currently out, it really shows how far White Denim has come when it comes to song structure and variety while still being able to make you jump out of your seat and act a fool. A couple rockers with a few numbers that make you want to lay back in your seat and relax, Corsicana Lemonade can definitely put you in the right state of mind.

There’s no wonder why Wilco frontman and alt-country demigod Jeff Tweedy helped produce the album, the quality is smooth and vibrant as if a buttery kaleidoscope saturated your ears and made your mind into a tie-die explosion. Each track has that catchy groove and you can definitely notice the psychedelic laid back vibe contrasting with balls to the walls rock & roll. There are always two sides to every album, Corsicana Lemonade is a great example of a band who isn’t afraid to try new things and push the envelope a bit. It’s a nice departure from the usual album where every track sounds the same and nothing catches you off guard. White Denim’s new album has an unpredictable nature that can’t be ignored.

You pick out your costume yet? You got all your candy picked out to give to the neighbor’s kids next door? Is your favorite local band getting ready to throw a house party but not telling anyone so the cops don’t bust it? If your answer to those questions is a resounding “Yes” then you know that Halloween is slowly and surely approaching within the next 24 hours. There are no tricks but plenty of treats when it comes to my top tracks off of my Album Of The Week, think of each track as a Kit Kat to stuff in your pillowcase during your sugar rush filled adventure around the neighborhood. Ok, maybe by now you’re a little too old for that. Anyways and as always, here goes something:

With this Thin Lizzy-esque epic classic rock tone that makes you want to grow out a fro and put on face paint, “At Night In Dreams” is my favorite track off of Corsicana Lemonade. The riffs are absolutely crazy and if you don’t get an electrified shock to your system then there is something wrong with you. A flow of psychedelic bayou rhythms on “Come Back” really make it a unique track that'll take your inner being to another musical dimension never thought possible. The lead single “Pretty Green” has these infectious downbeats and a pristine chorus that make it an instant classic, such a pleasure for the senses. The down & dirty opening riff in “Cheer Up/Blues Ending” is so damn good, the type of track that hits your soul and never leaves you. I can only name a few, so don’t just sit there with whatever you got and be completely lame about it. Each track off of Corsicana Lemonade are absolutely worth not just one listen, but a good earful (which is about 10 times)

White Denim won’t be blowing the roof off of any music venues in New England until next year, but if you’re out in the West Coast they’ll be playing The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco with The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala on Halloween which should surely be one of the best shows of 2013. Until they hit up your hometown and rock the holy hell out of it, get White Denim’s Corsicana Lemonade. It’s an album that shows how good music can be for you and for everyone else who you show it to.