I have had a good few listens to this - really wanted to like it but I don't - well I dont hate it but it is not for me. if that makes sense. if it was on at a parrty or something i'd not be wanting to kick the music systems head in, but the headline is it is just waaaaaaay to long.
I like the soundscapes and was surprised really @EEPW as you were not enamoured with some of the soundscapes on my choice and we had some decent experimental/odd/unsual stuff on this. I liked those moments.
It is an odd album really as they incoporate the odd/experimental stuff and your more traditional stuff then the singer bowls in and it is what it is - swamp rock, bluesy rock - it struggles to deviate, however many bleeps and whistles you put in - the steel guitar is prevalent pretty much throughout.
His vocal - No - that gravel voiced front man is not my thing - I can cope with it for a bit but prefered the tracks without the Joe Cockers. The opening track in particular. It's just derivative isn't it.
Whipping piccadily - prefered the vocal but not the slide/steel guitar - felt like filler - the dubbed bleep bleeps I did like.
Make no sound - back to those bloody annoying vocals - although nice melody on this when he sings without the ball of phlegm in his throat.
78 stone wobble - the vocoder can eff off.
Tijuana Lady - stand out track for me. Just a nice song isn't - bit of an odd intro few mins which is my thang and then into a nice sol cal infused R&B ditty about what - who knows but it feels like it is warm wherever they are. The picked guitar is preferable. The vocal is far more sensible as well. Even on the chorus. Do they have two vocalists? I like the middle break with the drum effect and it all winds up nicely with more picked guitar and hints of the sun soaked melody they have created. Like this track and have DL it onto me lady Di Pod for running. Intertesting track length as well. over seven minutes.
Here comes the breeze - normal service resumed - this could be Reef.
Love is better than a warm trombone - Has 'here comes the breeze' finished yet? Tbf it builds a bit toward the end - buit of a mish mash of intruments creating a not unpleasant sound - the vocal is creeping back though.
Get myself arrested - This is pretty bland from start to finish - what has happened to the odd sound breaks???
Free to run - This album is ending badly - it should have finished some time ago but there is about a days worth left. Pretty sure they played this track earlier? It's offering nothing.
Bubble Gum Years - More nothingness - I suppose an attempt a slow one. Just seemed to pass me by - slipped in and out of my ears - innoifensive. A song a 45 DJ might play at his regular slot in a hipster coffe bar on a sunday morning.
Ries waggon (Gregg Wallace voice - NINE MINUTES, YOU HAVE NINE MINUTES) So - some distored feedback guitar to kick off. Then a slow lumbering bass line to accompany the vocal. Nice idea. Again - is my 45 DJ playing this as I tuck into my eggs benedict while drinking my artisinal coffee? No - I dont think he is as everyone would leave - there is nothing big and clever about that guitar.
The Comback - Then we have an outro.
This is five tracks to long and too samey for me but glad I have heard Tijuana Lady - as ever thank you for making me listen to something else i'd not have given the time of day too.