The notions of popularity, promotion, and publicity are simply enigmas in the world of rock 'n roll these days. Tuscaloosa, Alabama's DEXATEENS have released three stellar discs over the last five years, most notably 2004's Estrus title "Red Dust Rising" and this latest spinner on the Skybucket label. The band has extracted the top-shelf elements from late 60s NEIL YOUNG and late 70s ROLLING STONES, bands that appear abundantly on the desert island lists of music snobs worldwide. Yet, so many folks have never heard of them. Frontman Elliott McPherson's gruff vocal twang and plain-spoken songwriting provides all the quality of say, fellow Alabama natives DRIVE BY TRUCKERS (who ironically assisted with this recording), but without all the touchy-feely melodrama. Yet, these guys remain relatively unknown compared to the DBT.

Shining moments are plentiful on this latest disc. The magnificent "Blackbird"-ish acoustic magic of "Downtown" is brutally shoved aside by the rip-roaring clungy riff bombast of "Makers Mound". "Some Things" is "Beast of Burden" with different lyrics. This is a three-guitar outfit, and the solos in "What Money Means" represent some of the best licks this side of Mike Campbell. In fact, the acoustic and electric interplay throughout the record are executed so smoothly, it just may inspire some folks to pick up a guitar themselves. Plus, there's still some raw punk rock attitude that rears it's head from time to time throughout the disc.

It may not seem fair that IRON AND WINE hits the front page of so many indie rock publications, with his breathy, James Taylor-isms, yet THE DEXATEENS remain so far below the surface. Even so, this is a must-own release for anyone that has "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" or "Black & Blue" on several formats.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.dexateens.net

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