From Dayton comes this unusual and attitude-laden band that includes former GbV satellite member Don Thrasher on drums. Yes, they're lo-fi. But doggedly bluegrass and country-influenced, making Launcher a record that speaks of Midwestern life on the brim of the South.
Johnny Smoke's sound is uniquely built around chugging acoustic guitars and a cracking pop beat (great snare sound!) with natural flavors of riverside beer-pounding honk. Unfortunately, the songwriting doesn't always rise to the top. (A little too much of, "Well, it worked in the live set, so ...")
Pare this 15-cut album down by a few and you have something. "I-75" kicks off the disc with overcaffeinated driving raunch; "Bag O'Weed"'s tumbling drum fills recall The Who; "Billy Johnson" is a disarmingly leisurely, rolling ballad with a Civil War theme and some Uncle Tupelo-style yearning. Not to mention the banjo-rock of "Chicken Feet" or the swirling psychograss of "Idiot Savant." There's even a slice of Robert Pollard-styled poppery on the unfortunately-titled "Oprah" (check out the "I don't really care" chorus). Fill the cooler and let's head for Dayton. He's pickin' and I'm grinnin'.
--Lane Hewitt