I'm a sucker for album titles that are also mini-manifestos. "No Amps No Masters" is the newest from Dandelion Junk Queens and the CD's title should let you know what you're in for right off the bat.
The band describes themselves (not surprisingly) as a "junk" band, what this translates to is a gleefully low-fi street-corner performing folk punk band. Keep the "punk" in mind. This is a band who's politics are at the forefront and who care more about what they have to say then about studio-perfection production.
This is music at its most basic, a handful of (like-minded) friends driven by their hearts to create together and have their say. In the end that means "No Amps No Masters" is critic-proof. They don't care what I have to say about this CD, they'll go on recording what they want, how they want, regardless of my thoughts on the matter.
Here's my thoughts anyway: I dig the hell out of this CD. I love the ramshackle, rebellious ruckus the band puts together, enthusiasm wins the day here as does the fact that musical saw and washtub bass are at the heart of what they do. No guitar, no cheesy rockisms. No pretty vocals. Photo-copied lyric sheet. Great positive energy. And "Das Lied Von Der Moldau" is my favorite song on this collection.
