Local Flavor: The No-Nation Orchestra

Thus far, local music hasn't been much of a focus on Chewing Gum for the Ears, but when I find something special so close to home, I'm not exactly one to keep it to myself. The No-Nation Orchestra, led by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Stephen Chai, is one group in the SLC area reminding me of the talent and creativity abundant here if you're simply willing to look around a bit.

Chai has been involved in a handful of bands over the past few years, but none more exciting than this latest project, which finds him leading a skillful quartet that blends elements of Afrobeat and Latin jazz with a melodic pop approach. The band's upcoming debut EP, entitled More More More, is set to drop later this month and serves as a convincing introduction to the excellence of the No-Nation Orchestra.

On the opener/title track (which you can hear below) Chai floats his soulful falsetto over groovy, complex rhythms and killer horn riffs, while "Holy Holy" throws in a flashy piano line and an almost sinister vocal melody you'll find difficult to get out of your head. If I had to pick, I'd say the incendiary "Find Me The Savory Sound" is my current favorite -- but that's like to change tomorrow as each of the EP's five tracks have only gotten better with every spin.

Whether you're looking for the best of what Salt Lake City has to offer or perusing the web for a genuinely inspired new band, Stephen Chai & The No-Nation Orchestra is a must-listen. Hear the single below and check out the band's homepage for pre-orders. Also, if you're a local, make sure to catch them at Urban Lounge on September 23rd for the album release show.


http://nonationorchestra.com/

New and Notable: Hill Country Revue

Formed by North Mississippi Allstars members Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew, and featuring Daniel Coburn of Dixie Hustler along with several other well-known Memphis musicians, Hill Country Revue is a soulful blues-rock group that just released their first album today - Make a Move. The recipe here is fairly simple, and often familiar, but it produces some solid results. The boys use their collective musical chops to create hard-hitting rock 'n' roll with copious amounts of fiery guitar solos and some spectacular work on the rhythm section that makes the ten tracks of their debut an exciting blues record that should satisfy enthusiasts of the genre.

Explosive opener "Alice Mae," the impassioned "Let Me Love You," and the raw, gripping "Ramblin'" are good examples of the band at their best, churning out crunchy riffs and spectacular solos in between soulfully-delivered vocals. Though the album is relatively long (45 minutes) for ten songs, the group keeps their jam band tendencies to a minimum here, only showing those colors on a couple tunes, including the lengthy, solo-heavy closer "Growing Up In Mississippi." It's quite obvious this isn't the first go 'round for the boys, and while there's not much to really 'explore' on Make a Move, there's plenty to enjoy.

For a taste, head to my previous post to download "Alice Mae," or find more at the band's MySpace page.

Review: Ben Harper and Relentless7 - White Lies for Dark Times (* * * 1/2)

I have a somewhat conflicted love for Ben Harper, and I doubt I'm the only one. Harper has almost limitless appeal, with his soulful blues-rock style, serious musical chops, and sincere delivery, but for the last seven years or so, he's been frustratingly inconsistent. There was Diamonds on the Inside, a diverse and sprawling, but mostly great rock album followed quickly by Harper's acclaimed work with The Blind Boys of Alabama, about which I had mixed feelings. Then came Both Sides of the Gun, a two-disc set that was more filler than fun, and lastly, 2007's Lifeline with the Innocent Criminals, which was a modest success and a fresh approach, but ultimately lacking in energy. None of these albums was particularly bad, but they generally fell short of what Ben Harper had convinced us he was capable of offering.

I remain hooked, though, and right on schedule, Harper returns with his new band for another record, White Lies for Dark Times, eleven tracks of his standard, gritty rock 'n' roll that's a little too familiar, but more compelling than anything Ben has done for some time. Lead single "Shimmer and Shine" was an indication of good things to come, all burning guitar riffs and a signature knock-out chorus that transfers a heavy dose of soul straight into your system. Setting aside both the playful funk and heavy-handed politics of his previous work, Harper finds a nice spot in the middle where he creates some excellent songs. Opener "Number With No Name" is a personal favorite, as is "Why Must You Always Dress In Black," both of which show Harper in his zone, confident, emotional, and taking none of your nonsense while hot guitar licks, groovy bass lines, and fantastic percussion give the songs the necessary kick.

Of course, like any Ben Harper album, there's several seemingly mandatory ballads, which often make or break his records. Here they add to - much more than distract from - the overall feel of things, with the achingly beautiful "Skin Thin" ranking among the album's best tracks. In fact, the balance of the record is about perfect, which may be why I find the whole thing so easy to enjoy. Though White Lies for Dark Times doesn't hold up especially well down the stretch, with the aimless rocker "Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)" and the surprisingly flat "Boots Like These" taking from the momentum, it closes on a high note - the gentle, uplifting "Faithfully Remain." Also, while I stand by my previous statement of Harper's somewhat lacking amount of originality here, he puts together a satisfying and well-executed package that's hard to deny.

Harper sounds focused and inspired, and most of all, relaxed in a way that keeps the music sounding natural even when the material isn't quite as spectacular or interesting as his best work. I'm still waiting for a late-career-defining album from Harper, and I believe he's got it in him, but White Lies for Dark Times is good enough to keep me happy for now.

Hear Ben Harper and Relentless7's new album on MySpace now!

A week before Ben Harper's new record, White Lies for Dark Times, will be released in stores, you can take a listen to the entire thing over at his MySpace page. His most recent band, Relentless7, features Jason Mozersky, Jesse Ingalls, and Jordan Richardson and - from what I've heard so far - absolutely rocks.

The album is available to stream right now, and it drops May 5th on Virgin Records.