Group Therapy

by MacKenzie WilsonWhen Concrete Blonde broke up in 1995, they were burned out, strung out, and emotionally bent. Musically, they didn't have a spark left to light what once was, therefore Johnette Napolitano had to leave it all behind. Seven years later, she found her way back to those rollicking days and replenished the band that made her a critical success and a cult favorite. She hooked up with founding members Harry Rushakoff and Jim Mankey for Group Therapy and captured something sophisticated while keeping an emotional honesty in tact. Being a little older and far wiser also counts, and Concrete Blonde allows their appreciation to overflow -- no catchy pop hooks will seep through Mankey's tenacious guitar riffs or Napolitano's signature scratchy brood. Paying homage to Eno-era Roxy Music and the sounds that motivated Concrete Blonde to reunite, "Roxy" is glossy with Napolitano stripping her calloused demeanor for something lilting and charming. Such effervescence continues with country-tinged tracks like "True, Part III" and "Take Me Home"; however, it's the Mexican dreamscape of "Your Llorona" that brings Group Therapy almost full circle. There's a romance cast, but some of the more dark and throaty songs like the anxious scowls of "Valentine" and the nasty pace of "Violent" bridge Concrete Blonde's savvy swagger. They've done it again, but they've done it better.