North Mississippi Allstars: Keys to the Kingdom (2011)

Death is a very prominent presence on The North Mississippi Allstars 6th studio album, Keys to the Kingdom. It's fitting since two thirds of the band (singer/guitarist Luther Dickinson and Drummer Cody Dickinson) lost their father when musician/producer Jim Dickinson -- who played with both Dylan and the Stones as well as producing The Replacements Pleased to Meet Me and Big Star's Third -- died in 2009. Rather than the normal look at personal mortality that a close death usually inspires, Keys to the Kingdom is a celebration of life and a tribute to a man who was not afraid of death and had accepted his place in the world.

Rather than delve into modern rock as they have had a tendency to do on previous albums, NMAS keep it simple on Keys to the Kingdom. Most of the album is just the band playing bluesy roots music, dominated by Luthers slide guitar and vocals. Luther is one of the more underrated guitar players out there. He's gotten more exposure since joining The Black Crowes but NMAS is where his true skills are shown off. There aren't many fancy solos on Keys to the Kingdom but sometimes less is more and that's exactly the case here. Luther's vocal range is very limited but he has greatly improved his ability to express emotion with his voice. "How I Wish My Train Would Come," "Hear the Hills," Ain't No Grave" and "Jellyrollin' All Over Heaven" are all heartfelt tributes to a man who lived life to the fullest and will continue to do so in the afterlife. "Jumpercable Blues" and "The Meeting" (featuring Mavis Staples) show that the rock side of the band hasn't disappeared and that they're not afraid to incorporate soul into their music either. The only lesser track is their cover of "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" but it's a decent attempt at reworking a tricky classic.

Armed with touching and heartfelt subject matter, Keys to the Kingdom is the North Mississippi Allstars most consistent album to date. Death doesn't always have to be a bad thing if the timing is right and the Dickinson's really grasp this. I'm sure Jim would be very proud of his sons tribute to him.

Rating: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. "This A' Way" (4:17)
2. "Jumpercable Blues" (3:25)
3. "The Meeting" (4:10)
4. "How I Wish My Train Would Come" (3:52)
5. "Hear the Hills" (6:56)
6. "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" (3:17)
7. "Let It Roll" (3:23)
8. "Ain't No Grave" (3:47)
9. "Ol' Cannonball" (3:16)
10. "New Orleans Walkin' Dead" (2:32)
11. "Ain't None O' Mine" (4:09)
12. "Jellyrollin' All Over Heaven" (4:42)