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 TH' LEGENDARY SHACK*SHAKERS - Swampblood (Yep Roc Records)
On Swampblood, you'll hear a band ripping through songs with unbridled prowess - like The Cramps high on the first CCR album. That's also an apt description of the exuberant interplay connecting the tangled rhythms and pop-wise songwriting all over this bands third installment, the self-proclaimed, "Tent Show Trilogy." Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers (yeah, that's how they spell it, go figure), are sure with purpose (honky tonk piano, fiddle, and what seems like everything but the kitchen sink). This gives their music more depth in the mix of guitars and drums, creating a spontaneous, eclectic vibe. The whole trilogy is both diligently constructed, and at the same time ragged, combining songs and medleys into three records of high peaks, without any middle ground, always with a destination in mind. Even when they fly free on rough, modern diamonds like "Dawn," "Cheat the Hangman," or "Bright Sunny South," the settings are vintage and natural. On most of the tunes, the coupling of fiddle, roadhouse-swing drumming, and backporch-choir harmonies, are a welcome change to the slick, over-produced records you sometimes come across. This is a band with a deep connection to folk, rockabilly, bluegrass - to the land and to those roots are firmly planted in Americana.
Th' legendary Shack* Shakers will be playing at Asbury Lanes (www.Asburylanes.com) on Nov. 9th. Check them out if you want to see an unique, fun and interesting show. - Phil Rainone 
THE DONNAS - Bitchin' (Purple Feather Records)
 The holocaust-fuzzed, sonic blast (sirens included) of "This is What it Sounds Like" is like a musical call to arms that grabs you by the collar for a whole 2 minutes and 8 seconds. Very intense, loud art-metal. On "Don't Wait Up For Me," the Donnas do a very good Runaways/Joan Jett & the Blackhearts-worthy tribute, with just the right mix of pounding drums, bangin' guitars, and girl-group yelps! The Donnas' also have gone through a name change. Not the band but the members. So, from now on, the artists formerly known as Donna's A, C, R, & F are now back to their parental-units’ given names. With a boiler room for a rhythm section (Torry Castellano- drums, and Maya Ford - no relation to Lita on bass,) and with Allison Robertson on guitar and Brett Anderson on vocals, The Donnas have 14 years under their silver studded belts. The production is a righteous mix of glam and grit that is a staging area for The Donnas' explosive live show. Songs like the slow-pain blues of "What Do I Have To Do" will surely be a live show staple. The heated, bump 'n grind of the music, and speed-punk lyrics are sure to make this a new sing-along unofficial anthem! This band knows how to write some catchy heavy-guitar riffs. They're way tighter than your average indie powerpop punk rockers. The Donnas' have created another sharp, sexy, and smart album with their unstoppable energy and attitude. This is a hot, live-wired album. Earplugs should be mandatory. - Phil Rainone
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