Athens Flagpole, Tishamingo Debut Album Review
01-22-2003

Were one to approach Tishamingo's self-titled debut with some trepidation, well... that would be understandable. The local quartet's been described more than once as "blues-based Southern rock," and more often than not that tag is just a way to say a band does little more than lash together a half-dozen hoary blues licks and clichéd "My woman done left me" lyrics. The state of modern blues and anything that calls itself Southern rock is pretty goddamn dull these days, and with the exception of Gov't. Mule or the North Mississippi Allstars, a wade through such music would scarcely get your feet wet.

That being said, my children, feel free to dive headfirst into Tishamingo and ol' Scratch take the hindmost. Recorded with the able help of John Keane, the foursome brew up a potent mix of solid rock and roll with a decidedly swampy Southern tinge, clever lyrics and blistering guitar.

Like the all-mighty Mule on its best nights, Tishamingo doesn't jam. No, no, not by a long shot. The band's grooves are tight yet airy, and any instrumental extrapolation is well-crafted by guitarists Cameron Williams and Jess Franklin. The pair also handle the vocal chores and both posses smoky, soulful pipes that'd do Greg Allman proud. The powerhouse rhythm section of Stephen Spivey on bass and Richard Proctor on drums is potent and forceful, shedding any thought of disconnected funk for a solid foundation not heard in these parts for way too long. Keane pops up here and there on various stringed instruments, and Athens' own boogie woogie king Jason Fuller adds his considerable talents on keyboards and organ.

While the main thrust of Tishamingo is the aforementioned blues-rock - and a very fine example of which kicks the doors down on the opening "Whiskey State Of Mind" - the band stretches out a bit, from the slow, sultry "Pete's Lament," the country-esque "Little Red" and the bouncing "Turry & The Tellico Millitia." The band closes the album with a Lantino-tinged one-two punch of "El Perro Frio" and "Last Ride," clocking the whole affair in just under an hour of some of the most engaging blues-based rock since Widespread first panicked. Take a swim, kids, the water's plenty warm.

By Matt Thompson, ATHENS FLAGPOLE



~