CD of The Week

We were introduced to the British trio Band Of Skulls three years ago with their debut, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. At the time, singer/guitarist Russell Marsden, singer/bassist Emma Richardson and drummer Matt Hayward almost out-did The Dead Weather when it came to male/female vocals over catchy garage-blues rock. After extensive touring, a major car ad placement and a Twilight soundtrack single, Band Of Skulls is back with their sophomore effort, Sweet Sour.

Sweet Sour is infused with more of a ‘70s Classic Rock jamming vibe than the group’s debut. The opening title track and “Bruises” have a familiar, push-and-push, rocking structure. “The Devil Takes Care Of His Own” fits nicely into the post-Jack White, Bluesy, crunchy guitar rock. And the voices of Marsden and Richardson intertwine perfectly throughout, with neither singer seemingly taking the lead much of the time, though Richardson gets the spotlight on the lovely “Lay My Head Down.”

While not as hooky as their debut, Sweet Sour finds Band Of Skulls as a tighter band with a stronger vision of their own sound and identity, instead of being not-The Dead Weather. Band Of Skulls return to Philadelphia at Union Transferon Friday, March 23rd.