the return: RANA

"Yes!"
Already the biggest rock news of the year, NJ pseudo-cult-rockers RANA have gotten back together after unofficially breaking up nearly two years ago. The news broke late this afternoon with the announcement that RANA would play middle bill this Friday night at Revolution Hall in Troy, NY with mates Sam Champion and The Duo. A future NYC show was also part of the announcement.

In an email to the RANA listserv, Rana (and Sam Champion) drummer Ryan Thornton announced, "It is true. Albany anyone? We hit the stage at 9:00. Look for a New York City show mid August. Yes! -Ryan ." Their MySpace page merely reads:

"Four friends from New Jersey. Been all over the country together. Rana loves music, loves to play. What the hell."

In honor of RANA's Return, I share some killer tracks that cover some of the many faces of RANA, and one song that does it all: "I Waste It."

pop: RANA - Charm Bracelet [from What It Is]
hard-psych-rock: RANA - It's So Hard (Believe Me) [LIVE]
alt-country: RANA - Backstabbing World [from What It Is]
RANA - I Waste It [from 2005 RANA Sampler]

supergroup: American Babies

"Broken English keeps pushing us back to the start"

Before I get going there's a few things I'd like to clear up...

su·per·group
Pronunciation: 'sü-p&r-"grüp
Function: noun
: a rock group made up of prominent former members of other rock groups

Basically, if you've ever been in a band and found any level of success, by joining or starting another band with members with similar backgrounds you've automatically become a supergroup. I bet half the bands you listen to are supergroups and you might not even know it. With that aside, every member of American Babies has played in a band, well, a few bands, and, well, plenty of side-projects. By definition American Babies is a supergroup, but I will never again mention them as one.

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Here's the skinny:

American Babies is:
Tom Hamilton (Brother's Past)
Scott Metzger (RANA)
Sir Joe Russo (Fat Mama, The Duo)
Jim Hamilton
Kevin Kendrick (Fat Mama)

[conversation between my 5-disc and American Babies CD]

5-Disc: Whoa. Where do you think you're going?
American Babies: In the cd player.
5-D: Your name?
AB: American Babies
5-D: Never heard of you. What's your genre?
AB: Alt country I guess. Americana perhaps.
5-D: Hmm. I've already got the new Ryan Adams cd. What do you sound like?
AB: Wistful, at times bluesy, and often rockin'. Why don't you see for yourself?

The above conversation took place 10 days ago....American Babies hasn't left my 5-Disc since.

American Babies, despite it's band size, has a very compact country sound. Their debut is excetional, and should pleasantly surprise any alt-country fans. "Invite Your Friends" is a super-solid track, opens the album, and in essence, introduces you to the band. American Babies is touring all month long, so check out their dates.

American Babies - Invite Your Friends