Harlan T Bobo hails from Memphis and in the past several years, he established himself as the most consistent songwriter on the rock scene, with only his Memphis buddy Greg Cartwright to rival that crowning position. But, while Greg has a strong pop streak, Harlan T Bobo takes things more seriously it seems. I guess, what I’m trying to say here, it’s hard to imagine Harlan writing songs for anyone or anything else besides his albums. The approach is hundred percent personal and we can only be grateful to be in it for the ride. His first album recorded back in 2003 was a painful breakup story. Harlan T Bobo is now a married man and blissful intro Life is Sweet accounts to his new found peace in family life. First half of this short record (only 30 minutes), is mostly folk oriented, interrupted only with the perfectly twisted pop tune Hamster in a Cage, which indeed sounds written in the key of Greg Cartwright. But things get twisted later on with two uncompromising rockers back to back Bad Boyfriends and Energy. And then we have an epic Drunk which is by far the longest on the record and key that creates a perfect contrast with the disarmingly beautiful opening song. And then, at the very end, as if demonstrating once for all that Bobo is equally talented in multiple musical genres, the record officially ends with francophone chancone Mille Chatte. Yes, Bobo is definitely the strongest songwriter today.
Tag Archives: Harlan T. Bobo
15. Limes – Rhinestone River
Limes are the best hiden secret of Memphis rock’n’roll scene. Brain child of Shawn Cripps, that also contained Harlan T Bobo and Jack Oblivian in the line up at one point, they have been around for 10 years now. But, if we don’t count their Internet and Australian only album Tarantula from 2005, Rhinestone River that came out on Goner this year. Dirty, muddy, lazy sound that rolls out of this record keeps in touch with the best timeless tratidions of this music that we love to call rock’n’roll. This is an album that Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Charlie Watts could have recorded on a hazy, stoned night, while Jagger and Wyman are absents, chasing girls somewhere.
Flashlite #81
Today we feature no less than three new truly exceptional records – one for Memphis musician Harlan T. Bobo, other for Holly Golightly and finally – Sweet Apple LP is out. This week in April might have brought three best records of 2010! Harlan’s third record is entitle Sucker. Not only it’s on par with his previous two records, but it also very well may be his best one yet. Diverse piece and a modern classic. Holly Golightly is again here with her Brokeoffs and it very well might be the hight of this duet’s career. Sweet Apple’s new album Love and Desperation is an instant hit record, lots of hooks and humor, but also some unexpected lyrical depths. But, let’s not forget to dedicate today’s show to Malcolm McLaren – legendary manager of Sex Pistols and a rock’n’roll maverick who died on April 8 this year.
Lou Reed – Dirt;
Sex Pistols – EMI;
Malcolm McLaren – Double Dutch;
Disguise – Hey Baby;
Fotomaker – Come Back;
The Krayolas – You’re Not My Girl;
Harlan T Bobo – Drank;
Harlan T Bobo – Last Step;
Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs – Time To Go;
Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs – Forget It;
Burce Springsteen – State Trooper;
Woody Guthrie – Lost John;
Suicide – Johnny;
Sweet Apple – Hold me, I’m Dying;
Bash and Pop – Loose Ends;
John Hiatt – The Open Road;
Jackie Deshannon – Don’t Think Twice.