Tommy Guerrero - New Music and a Live Show

So, I'm online this morning, looking at the Doug Fir web page for info on Destroyer tickets, and I come across this tantalizing message... 'Just Added: Tommy Guerrero.'

I mean, holy shit. Who knew? Why didn't I know? And then I start to wonder if Tommy is touring behind a new album. A new album that I a) don't have and b) am unaware of. A quick search on Google leads me to Guerrero's new web page, and indeed, there was a new EP released in December, 'Year of the Monkey.' I check iTunes, eMusic, etc, hoping to just download, but no dice. I need tickets to the Destroyer show and, now, Guerrero's show as well, so I hit Music Millennium, pick up '...Monkey,' and get my tickets (May 16th, by the way. Yes, I am going. Yes, you can come along too).

You all do know about Tommy Guerrero, right? Old school skateboarder (from the Bones Brigade, for christsakes!) turned astute instrumental musician. Not ringing any bells? Here's a link to Beggar's bio... http://www.beggars.com/us/tommyguerrero/index.html

The new EP is really great. Only 5 songs, which I had to shell out $10 for, but whatev...

The opening track, 'archaic days,' could be my summer theme song. Slim E. here in the office says it is THE perfect summer song. Opening with a great drum beat, followed by shimmering, fast chords, and a tight catchy riff, this song makes me wish I was cruising in my car with the windows down on a warm evening with my sweetheart.

'knives fighting guns' could easily be an out-take from the new Beck album (but better, no doubt). A hint of 'The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly' in the lead guitar, this song moves well. The whistling is a nice touch, too. Again, fairly upbeat compared to Guerrero's previous releases.

'dead water' lives up (or down?) to it's name. A great track, but very languid, it features a haunting wood block put through a ton of reverb. The 4th track, 'spider and the monkey,' starts out solid, but about midway through, a cheesy trumpet riff is put in. Unfortunate. And track 5, 'by fist and fury,' is a just plain great. A little like old school Cake, before they began to suck. Great guitar, drums, the whole thing.

While this may not be the best intro into the world of Tommy Guerrero, it is certainly a great collection of songs. Definitely worthy of $10. For the first timer, though, I'd recommend 'Soul Food Taqueria.'