The Greenhornes, Hacienda, Blackbells April 8, 2011

THE GREENHORNES
Cincinnati, OH's the Greenhornes earned a devoted following during the garage rock boom of the 2000s, but while the band was clearly influenced by classic blues-based acts of the '60s (the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks) and first-era garage rock (the Sonics), their instrumental skill and songwriting chops put them well ahead of most of their peers.The band self-released their debut album and followed that with two highly acclaimed albums on the New Jersey indie label, Telstar. Craig Fox's soulful vocals recall an Americanized Eric Burdon in his Animals' heyday. They had a valued ally in The White Stripes' Jack White, who produced a 45 for them and also used the rhythm secion of Patrick Keeler (drums) and Jack Lawrence (bass) on Loretta Lynn's grammy-winning Van Lear Rose album. Patrick and Jack also became members of The Raconteurs and Jack is also part of Dead Weather. Fox, Lawrence and Keeler reconvened the Greenhornes in 2010; they went into the studio to record a new album, **** (released by White's Third Man Records imprint), and hit the road in support of its release.

HACIENDA
San Antonio quintet Hacienda sounded precociously talented on their debut album, 2008′s Loud Is the Night, and their sophomore release, Big Red and Barbacoa, confirms that two years of touring and writing new material have only sharpened their skills. Hacienda's fascination with the Beach Boys hasn't faded, and they can conjure up silky, heartstring-tugging four-part harmonies while working out arrangements that would do Brian Wilson proud during his sandbox period (cue up "Hound Dog" and "I Keep Waiting"), but as songwriters Hacienda are gradually growing into a voice of their own, and these 12 tracks are noticeably tougher, stronger, and more impressive than the stuff on Loud Is the Night, their debut.

BLACKBELLS
A modern twist of soul and garage rock from the 1960's.

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