Grading New CDs

Here are capsule reviews of CDs by local bands or groups that play in the area.

The Surfers, “Songs From the Pipe” (Epic)

This is surf music by real surfers--shredding surfers, at that. Kelly Slater is a five-time World Champion, Rob Machado is a top performer and Peter Kind also surfs. This isn’t some vanity effort, but there’s no Dick Dale action here by any stretch, just a competent effort. These guys can surf better than the Stones and some of the ethereal ocean sounds take you to the beach without the pay parking, hot sand, hungry sharks and annoying kids.

Grade: B-

Next gig: Saturday at Matty’s in Santa Barbara.

*

Cindy Kalmenson, “Let Me Out Here” (Big Gack Records)

Kalmenson is a wise-guy gal who writes cool songs--the same types that made zillions for Sheryl Crow and Lucinda Williams. The former Spanish teacher from NoCal now hangs her guitar in Nashville, and her folk tunes have a certain twang to them. Better yet is Kalmenson’s voice, and best of all are her lyrics. From “The Damage Was Done,” a sample line: “Well you got more baggage than a holiday at JFK. Don’t try and make it up by sending me another bouquet. I don’t want to hear your excuses. I don’t want to see your cuts and bruises. The damage was done way before you met me.”

Grade: A-

Next gig: Sept. 19 at Borders in Santa Barbara.

*

The Jesus and Mary Chain, “Munki” (Sub Pop)

Here’s another helping of head-splitting-feedback-meets-divine-pop -harmonies by the battling Reid brothers. Not as loud and raucous as prior efforts, but still with enough noise and soothing vocals to please their fans on such tunes as the opener, “I Hate Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Not their best album, but still better than most of the stuff out there.

Grade: B+

Next gig: Today at the Ventura Theatre.

*

The Call, “To Heaven and Back” (Fingerprint Records)

The Next Big Thing in the mid-’80s with songs like “The Walls Came Down,” the Call is back, and still fronted by explosive singer Michael Been. There are plenty of anthem-style rockers on this one as Been overreacts and barely keeps from blowing a big hole in his neck on tunes such as “World on Fire.” It’s almost like the group never left.

Grade: B

Next gig: Sept. 18 at Nicholby’s in Ventura.

*

The Devlins, “Waiting” (Universal Records)

The band takes its name from a couple of Irish brothers who concoct some supremely sad songs that sound happier than they really are. Lush vocals on mostly mellow songs build up surprising momentum, and the rock ‘n’ roll guitar touches are understated but effective. “Heaven’s Wall” is pop about as good as it gets.

Grade: A-

Next gig: Sept. 20 at the Santa Barbara County Bowl.

*

Taj Mahal, “Sacred Island” (Private Music)

With that bullfrog voice intact, Taj is still cool with his blues and reggae efforts, but the tunes with Hawaiian music touches are just too weird. There’s a reason we don’t hear much Hawaiian music away from the islands. They’re trapped with it--we’re not.

Grade: C+

Next gig: Saturday at the Ventura Theatre.

*

Freebo, “The End of the Beginning” (Bassline Records)

Freebo is a bass player with more friends than a stupid rich guy. Helping out on the album are Bonnie Raitt, Walter Trout, Albert Lee, Catfish Hodge, Paul Barrere of Little Feat and lots more. Thus, this is not one long bass solo, but an amalgamation of styles from reggae to Deadhead-flavored jams to boogie songs. Raitt’s background vocals on “How Do I Say Goodbye” makes that one memorable. How many pals Freebo will bring to his Voltaire gig remains to be seen.

Grade: B+

Next gig: Friday at Cafe Voltaire in Ventura.