 March 30, 2006 'Concrete Dog' cements Lee's reputation as a bonafide rocker Ask any rock fan younger than 30 in Jackson who Tim Lee is, and you're not likely to receive a correct answer. Ask anybody older than 30, though, and you'll probably elicit a fond remembrance. Lee and his fabulous Jackson-based band, the Windbreakers, were making a name for themselves in the college rock world alongside other Southern acts such as R.E.M. and Let's Active in the early '80s. Lee had all but disappeared from the music scene when his 1992 solo effort, Crawdad, seemed to be his swan song. Now it's time for the younger generation to get acquainted - and the older fans reacquainted - with Lee. After a 10-year hiatus, Lee quietly has made a comeback. After two albums, 2003's Under the House and 2004's No Discretion, Lee has hit his stride as a musician and performer. Concrete Dog, his latest effort to be released April 11, stands among the best work Lee has ever laid to tape. Concrete Dog finds the slightly sardonic, supremely Southern pop songsmith at the top of his game. Tracks such as Alone Together and Real Bad Habit are as rip-roaring rocking and melodically hooky as anything The dBs, Smithereens, Plimsouls or any of Lee's more famous '80s contemporaries conceived. The classy, classic power-pop sound of the record is thanks in part to the stellar production of Don Coffey Jr. (of Superdrag who plays drums on Concrete Dog), but mostly thanks to the startling vivacity of Lee, who rocks harder than anyone in their mid-40s should be allowed by law. So rock fans, put down whatever sound-alike record you're listening to, and pay attention. Tim Lee's back - you might just learn a thing or two. |