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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 29, 2007

OAKLEY HALL:

I'LL FOLLOW YOU

(MERGE) ***½

Few experiences can match the thrill of being introduced to a great band live. Oakley Hall's powerful set opening for Bright Eyes at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in May created a great deal of anticipation for this, the band's fourth album.

"I'll Follow You" easily meets expectations. The band's sound is all about blends - crisp acoustic guitars with stinging electrics, male and female voices, folk reveries and intense rave-ups, rustic instrumentation with the urgency of the band's Brooklyn home.

Crazy Horse and "American Beauty"-era Grateful Dead are in the band's musical lineage, but Oakley Hall is no throwback; it's closer to a more earthbound Akron/Family.

Download this: "Angela"

Curtis Ross

SHOOTER JENNINGS:

THE WOLF

(UNIVERSAL SOUTH) **

On his first two albums, "Put the O Back in Country" and "Electric Rodeo," Waylon's son was a flag-bearer for his father's brand of '70s outlaw country. Shooter didn't have his daddy's deep, rich voice or stellar songs, but he had attitude to spare and a crack band behind him.

"The Wolf" is more of the same, only this time he ratchets down the energy level. Anyone who's seen Shooter live knows he puts on a rockin' show, but he just doesn't have the pipes or songwriting chops to carry an album with the amps turned down.

Things start out on a rollicking note with "This Ol' Wheel," bolstered by Doug Kershaw's smokin' fiddle, but the rest of the album is loaded with ballads that only point out Shooter's shortcomings.

Download this: "This Ol' Wheel"

Mitch Schafer

MAC LETHAL:

11:11

(RHYMESAYERS) ***

Kansas City can now add Mac Lethal, an annoyed emcee, to its list of things to know.

"11:11" is a concoction of wit, comedy and cynicism. And who is Mac Lethal? He says it best: "My name is Mac Sheldon, I'm a fire sign Leo, alcoholic, anti-mall, anti-hero, anti-soccer mom, anti-hipster."

Yup, that about sums him up. Not to mention, the kid got picked up by Rhymesayers, home of Atmosphere. (Psst. That's kind of a big deal.)

Mac says aloud what most people are thinking. He rhymes about brew on "Pound That Beer," women on "Lithium Lips" and his hometown on "Sun Storm."

Despite hard-hitting beats and an ill Great Plains flow, Mac can get preachy. Still, "11:11" is worth picking up.

Download this: "Calm Down Baby"

Sarah Hoye

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