Artist: Kajun Kelley Title: Stale Stories Fresh Ears Label: Self-Issued Web: Kajun Kelley.com.

By Michael Macey

Stale Stories Fresh Ears from Kajun Kelley is a hard rocking affair, with a nod to the arena rock sound of the 70’s and 80’s, as well as the power pop of the 90’s. Kelley, a guitar player from Virginia and a member of Deanna Bogart's band since 1995, has made a thoroughly enjoyable record that blends those two genres with excellent results. Stale Stories Fresh Ears strikes a nice balance between the not-too-distant past and the present. I was going to make some comparisons to artists that I think he sounds like, but on his website, he writes musicians hate when reviewers do that, so I'll respect that. The reason I sometimes do that is to give people who are unfamiliar with an artist a point of reference. Most artists find it flattering, but apparently some artists think they are "so original we couldn't possibly sound like anybody else." (His words) That aside, I like this album very much. It's certainly not what I expected from somebody who plays guitar in a blues/boogie-woogie band. Without the confines of said band, it gives Kelley the chance to stretch out and establish his own identity. He plays electric and acoustic guitar, bass and percussion. Mike Aubin provides drums and additional percussion. Two of my favorite songs on the album are Ego Check and Ego Check for the Kids. Basically the same song except the former is peppered with F.U.'s, while the latter is the sanitized version. One of the great verses of that song reads. "I don't find your arrogance/deserving any eloquence/just two simple words will do... and the horse that you rode in on... and your mother too (well now I've gone too far). I take that back/ your mother is probably a sweetheart, but if she weren't your mother, she'd say these words to you” The album does offer a warning of explicit content, so make sure you load the clean version into your kid’s iPod.

Produced by Kelly and recorded in his bedroom "studio", Stale Stories Fresh Ears is a great-sounding record that benefits from lots of volume.

This one will appeal to people who like their rock a little heavier. It's full of excellent guitar playing; very good songwriting, and enough hooks to hold up to repeated listenings. I suggest going to his website and making your own determination as to who he sounds like. I think you'll enjoy.