Bringing It All Back Home Again
On their ninth CD, the Brian Jonestown Massacre does what they're best at. That is, they conjure up visions ofBeggars Banquet-eraRolling Stonesand other artists from the swinging '60s. Emphasizing acoustic slide guitars, harmonica, handclaps, and tambourine, Anton Newcombe sings passionately in Jaggeresque style. While decidedly retro, the band is always entertaining as they evoke their musical heroes. On the song "Mansion in the Sky" Newcombe recalls the mood of earlyDylanwith evocative results.  Folksy, bluesy, and particularly understated, this disc contains only six songs and leaves you hungry for more. With Miranda Lee Richards's haunting vocal on "Reign On" and an eerie update of Charles Manson's composition "Arkansas," Brian Jonestown Massacre turns six into nine one more time. It's brief, but bright, and their most satisfying work to date.--Mitch Myers