13 (Dig)

Brian Setzer, Brian Setzer Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Surfdog Records Ada
• ASIN: B000I2IRTG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,817 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Drugs & Alcohol (Bullet Holes)

2. Take A Chance On Love

3. Broken Down Piece Of Junk

4. We Are The Marauders

5. Don't Say You Love Me

6. Really Rockabilly

7. Rocket Cathedrals

8. Mini Bar Blues

9. Bad Bad Girl (In A Bad Bad World)

10. When Hepcat Gets The Blues

11. Back Streets Of Tokyo

12. Everybody's Up To Somethin'

13. The Hennepin Avenue Bridge

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After successfully reinventing himself as a guitar-slinging, martini-toasting, tattooed, jumpin' jive crooner, ex-Stray Cat frontman Brian Setzer struts his rocking rebel persona into a slightly altered groove. Despite the unimaginative title, the singer/guitarist's 13th album (with 13 songs, natch) is an attempt to bring his reverb-drenched rumble to a tougher, less stylized persona. Some of it connects as a combination of Gov't Mule's '70s riffage with a twang accent, as on the pumped up "Everybody's Up to Somethin'" and the opening salvo of "Drugs and Alcohol (Bullet Holes)." But Setzer seems to be forcing these songs, especially vocally, desperate to avoid being pigeonholed as a two-trick pony. Much better is the rugged rockabilly of "Take a Chance on Love" and the muscular street-gang switchblade of "We Are the Marauders." There's a '50s rumble to "Don't Say You Love Me" that seems like a Stray Cats leftover now beefed up for a more potent attack. "Really Rockabilly" skewers the purists that want to force Setzer into his old genre ("he wears 1956 underwear") but when he strides into jazz mode on "Mini Bar Blues," the album's only instrumental, it's a fresh breath of '50s air next to the simplistic lyrics and fist-pounding tempo of the following "Bad Bad Girl." You can't fault the artist for pushing his boundaries, but this eclectic collection wants to have it both ways; keeping his old fans satiated with Setzer-certified hipster swing, such as "When Hepcat Gets the Blues," while aiming for a broader appeal with his less successful stab at dated, if effectively stripped down, hard rock. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

Fans of Setzer's prior work will be blown away by the versatility he demonstrates on this, his 13th album of original material. A kick-ass guitar, bass, and drums rock record featuring unbelievable playing and solid songwriting. All 13 tracks have a unique feel, from southern influenced to classic rock/new wave to almost metal. Includes a guest appearance by Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom on "Really Rockabilly". Brian has sold over 12 million records throughout his 25-year career and "13" is sure to continue the lucky streak. Look for him on tour in the US beginning in November and continuing into 2007.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take a chance on 13!, October 25, 2006

By 

bluesinchicago (Windy City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 (Dig) (Audio CD)

As a pretty big fan of Brian's solo career, I've waited eagerly for any solo release in the past decade. 2001's 68 Comeback Special "Ignition" remains the standard in modern rockabilly. His over the top guitar riffs and witty lyrics where so good, it lead to an eventual letdown on his next effort. Brian released Nitro Burnin' Funny Daddy in 2003 with nearly impossible expectations. NBFD, was much darker and very personal with a huge blues influence. It was good, but it didn't have the same playfulness that 86CS seemed to enjoy. In 2005, Brian went a completely different direction with Rockabilly Riot, a tribute to all the old school rockabilly guys from the 50's and 60's.

So, now in 2006 we come to "13" right in the middle of another personal millstone in his life. With a new marriage and a move to Midwest, Brian's latest release seems to reflect the changes in his personal life. While it's pretty obvious that he is really the only one holding the modern rockabilly torch, and no real successor to hand it to, Brian takes this opportunity to experiment with the genre. Brian's strength as a guitar player has always been his ability effortlessly mix rock/blues/country/jazz into his own rockabilly hybrid. Here, there is a noticeable mix of punk and hard rock which I initially thought I was going to hate. But as I give the disc a spin, I find it quite refreshing. Lyrically, the good natured, slightly out of whack humor that made 86CS so much fun is back. Just take a listen to "Everybody's Up to Something" and make your own conclusions on who exactly "Ashlee" is.

Dave Darling along with Brian disserve some credit in the production booth because the mix is crisp, yet raw sounding at the same time. The guitar solos are not as flashy as we all know he's capable of, but creative mixing and the use of different yet subtle guitar effects keeps them fresh and exciting.

Highlights include the road trip rumbling of "Take an Chance on Love," the county overtones of "Don't Say You Don't Love Me," that features Julie Reiten, Brian's wife, and jazzy swing of "When Hepcat Gets the Blues."

This record is definitely a departure from any of his earlier works, and it deliberately lacks any "pop" single. But lack of pop material is part of what makes this album so fun. It lives the rockabilly ideology; it's retro, yet modern, and playfully rebellious. At this stage of his career, Brian seems intent on experimenting with different sounds and styles on various projects. This is an example of one he got right.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setzer Proves You Cannot Pigenhole Him!!!, October 24, 2006

By 

EP FAN 4 EVR (Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 (Dig) (Audio CD)

Where do I begin, there is so many different types of music on this CD I can't think straight!! Country, Rock, Jazz, Touch of Metal, Punk and he is very talented at all of them. If you have not ever purchased a Brian Setzer CD before, new or future fans this is the one to buy!!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setzer At His Very Best, October 30, 2006

By 

Steven Eric Coon (tulsa, ok United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 13 (Dig) (Audio CD)

I had a copy of this reserved through Amazon so I would receive this as soon as it was released. I have been playing this now for several days. It is absolutely incredible. Mr Setzer is at his usual untouchable superior guitar playing. What makes this cd great is the unbelievable variety from song to song. It goes from country to jazz to hard rock and on and on. Let me state the obvious, if you are a Setzer fan this is a MUST buy. If you don't know much about Brian's music this is a perfect sampler so you can experience the genius of this man's talents.