Django Mack - 100 Page Tattoo
Django Mack’s returned with their
latest studio release, a half dozen songs on an EP titled 100 Page Tattoo, and
the same high artistic level marking their earlier recordings remains intact
with this new offering. The EP is produced by lead vocalist and songwriter
Brandon Butrick along with bassist Tom Donald and drummer Tim Vaughan; it’s
abundantly clear that the band understands themselves well and knows how to
highlight their skills in the best possible way. They exhibit a surprising
amount of variety considering the limited running time of an EP release and
there’s never a second guess or moment of indecision marring the performances.
The songs on 100 Page Tattoo sounds like they were worked out well in advance
of their recording, but they come across with a gloriously live air despite the
obvious overdubs and post production work done to further enhance the release.
The EP’s title song makes for a great
opener. “100 Page Tattoo” challenges anyone expecting pure blues or blues rock
to adjust their preconceived notions and duly rewards those who can with a
wonderfully flexible, powerful R&B and funk workout driven largely by the
rhythm section and capped off with an effective vocal from Butrick. His lyrics
are equally up to the challenge of a good song and sport a surprising, for
newcomers to the band, way with words that makes the experience all the more
deeper. The band continues to stay hot for the EP’s second track “Lookout!” and
it does an exceptional job of conveying the title’s urgency despite its mid-tempo
trajectory. There’s less affectation on Butrick’s vocal, as well, and the
relatively clean presentation he provides neatly dovetails with the musical
arrangement. “Knock Me Down” takes the band in an acoustic direction, but their
love of rock and blues still comes through with a striding chorus and strong
verses that sweep listeners into each new refrain. It is quite a contrast with
the EP’s obvious primary track “Knife Fight” and Django Mack does an
exceptional job of exploiting the potential of this song title without ever
lapsing into heavy handed theatrics.
The EP’s final two songs strike a
distinctly lighter note. The first, “Roadrunner”, is a love letter to the
singer’s favorite car put in the form of a song and the tasty drumming and
guitar work alike share its pawing, fun loving spirit despite staying quite
moored in the blues idiom. The final track “Rooster in the Henhouse” is another
good time romp, much rockier than the earlier cuts, but sufficiently lit up
with blues influences that fans of the form will flock to its musical and
lyrical turns alike. Butrick’s singing has a strong go for broke quality that’s
sure to make new fans for the band and please those who’ve followed them this
far. They’ve come a long way, but 100 Page Tattoo serves notice that this band
plans on going even further yet.
Dale Butcher
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