Title: A Swig from the Acid Bottle
Artist: Three5Human
Label: Anaphora Music
Catalog No: AML 139140
Date: 2006

Remove Three5Human’s new CD from its case and you’ll uncover the proclamation that “Black sound Black music encompasses far more than crunk and R&B.” And A Swig from the Acid Bottle certainly practices what it preaches—this group’s third album is aggressively, unapologetically ROCK. Frontwoman Trina Meade and guitarist Tomi Martin, the core of Atlanta-based T5H, have both toured and done session work with the likes of Madonna, Eric Clapton, OutKast, TLC, and Mick Jagger, and their musicianship doesn’t disappoint. Powerful vocals from Trina combine with solid guitar work from Tomi to deliver a driving wall of sound, capably supported by bassist Tres Gilbert and drummer Joey Williams. The group’s lyrics have a distinctly social/political edge, which might be expected from a band who takes their name from the 1787 constitutional amendment to count slaves as three-fifths of a person.      

Performing live, T5H have a raw energy that commands attention and doesn’t let up. In support of their new album, T5H is touring this fall with the Indigo Girls, and Amy Ray and Emily Saliers both make guest appearances on Swig (featured in “Genocidal Youth” and “Disco Ragdoll,” respectively). At a recent show in Indianapolis, a homecoming of sorts for Indy native Trina whose family cheered from the audience, T5H ably set the tone for the evening and then returned to join the headliners for several rousing encores. Trina demonstrated a particularly impressive range and mature talent as she moved seamlessly from her stance as a “Black Rock Queen” in the opening set, to an achingly memorable turn in the Michael Stipe role on the Indigo Girls’ “Kid Fears,” to a soulful solo on a joint cover of Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia.” You definitely need to see Trina and the band live to fully appreciate what they have to offer—this is one opening act you don’t want to miss!

Posted by Sunni Fass