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Review, Sonic Ruin Magazine / Harvard, Ill. -
When I started this ‘zine up, about a year ago now, I told myself I would only cover the bands I enjoyed. But I also told myself I would stick to the Glam related worlds, extending out to some Punk, and still touching on Rockabilly. But I told myself that would be it. As the time went on, I got a few discs that just didn’t fit with that plan. One of which was Snowbyrd. The label believed in the disc though that they decided to say the heck with it, and took a chance on sending it my way.
I can tell you this, I am damn glad they made that decision. It kind of helped me to change my mind-set a little bit. I have since decided that my main criteria is going to be that I have to like the bands, style be damned! So, what does it sound like? Well, I took the disc with me to work the day after receiving it, and explained it as this to my boss: Take an 80’s Punk band, one that was really into Husker Du, have them really enjoy the 70’s writing style, while wanting to play Aleternative Country, but also doing a little 80’s underground, but also really liking the Allman Brothers...and Progressive Rock. He looked at me at the end of the disc, and said “That is easily the best way to describe these guys!” Seriously, there are so many style on this disc, and they all blend so well, the only way to describe it a long hodge-podge description.
But then you have to conclude by saying “these guys just smoke!” Do you want to hear a full on “bad ass” song? Check out “Morning Larks”! The pedal steel work on that mixed with the hyperactive drumming work along makes this whole album worth the price! It’s all quite exhaustive, but oh so cool!
Oh, but wait, you want drumming fills? Check out the next song, “Remember V”! We’re talking Keith Moon type wailing away at times here! Then the change that comes about in the middle of the song is almost “Wildhearts” like in it’s odd change that fits...somehow.
I’m not going to go in-depth with each song on this, as with all the different aspects of this album would almost require a full issue unto itself. There are so many shining moments here, the pedal steel, the killer bass runs, the lead work, the lead vocals finding the right melodies. The drumming...oh the drumming.
Look, if you want to step out of the standard stuff, and find something that will test different styles and never, ever, get boring, grab this thing! I need to replace my copy of this though. For the time being it presides on my iPod. I gave my original to my wife’s cousin’s husband for Christmas. My cousin in-law? He’s a pretty big music freak so I figured he might like it. Well, I saw his wife just recently (they live about 12 hours from me) and she told me he won’t stop listening to the disc. So there is this issues “Friend Seal Of Approval” - Mark Likes It!
Oh, and the first time listening I kept hoping this thing would end with a BANG! And oh lord, do these guys end with a BANG! On that listen with my boss the end came up and he just laughed and said “perfect”. It’s the style we have had the whole time, but the tune just rocks on out perfectly.
Carl I.
http://www.sonicruin.com/sonic_issue_03.html
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