DIY Top Picks: June 2009 by C. Fike, G. Grande, R. Penagos, M. Wakefield, B. Walker and L. Zimmerman



Showcasing independent songwriters who have released an album without the backing of a label.
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Brother Lou
As Good As You Want

“No one’s coming to the rescue / No one’s even going to say goodbye,” Brother Lou informs us somewhat apocalyptically on opening track “Nothing in the Sky.” But the Hollywood, Fla.–based singer-songwriter is not all gloom and doom. With an upbeat, jangly acoustic guitar and a voice as warm as the Everglades, Lou manages to lighten and brighten even his darker lyrics.

“Other than to each other, we don’t count for much,” he admits in mid-tempo ballad “Tonight,” while “Wasted Time” finds him delivering a scathing critique of society’s evil-doers: “Every penny you take from the poor, every kid you take behind closed doors / Let the devil make room for one more when he sees the things you use God for.” The CD’s highlight is, without doubt, the sizzling “Hey Jesus,” with African drumming and wailing harmonica setting the tone for Lou’s (aka Lou Dominguez) confession to the lamb of God: “I haven’t read that good old book in 10 or 20 years / but I can’t recall you saying you hate single moms and queers.” If you like your social and political commentary delivered with a sense of humor and a toe-tapping beat, As Good as You Want is about as good as it gets. —MW

brotherlou.com