I’m not sure it’s fair to call the Lost Dogs a side project anymore. The band that began as an opportunity for four talented songwriters to work together has in many ways become their main gig. Sure you might still get a new release from one of their original bands but they’ve been much more prolific as the Dogs; which is great news for anyone who enjoys their take on Americana.
Their new CD, Old Angel, was inspired by a road trip they took on Route 66. The band started in Chicago and crossed eight states on their way to California. They brought long time friend and fellow musician Jimmy Abegg along to film and photograph the tour for a DVD release.
Old Angel holds its own among the best music the Lost Dogs have released. Terry Taylor wrote seven of the songs outright and co-wrote five others. His poetics talents can be heard throughout the record. In my opinion he is one of the most underrated songwriters making music today. His writing holds its own with the best of the best. The same can be said for the lyrical and musical contributions of the other Dogs. Mike Roe’s guitar work is impeccable. I could listen to Derri’s sweet voice sing the phone book and Steve Hindalong brings such beautiful touch to the percussion work. Together they create music that demands repeated listens. I found myself listening over and over to many of the songs throughout this album.
The CD opens with “Israelites and Okies.” The lush, beautiful music reminds me of “Broken Like Brooklyn,” which began their last CD, The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees. The lyrics are propelled by the subtle yet stunning guitar work.
I caught myself thinking that “The Glory Road” would fit perfectly on a Daniel Amos CD. Then I realized it was written by Terry and longtime DA collaborators Greg Flesch and Tim Chandler. After a little more digging I found that it was on a Daniel Amos album. It is great hearing it on this new recording with Mike on the vocals.
“Traveling Mercies” is a beautiful showcase for Derri Daugherty’s charming vocals. I loved the EP he released several years ago and I’m excited to see that a new disc from the Choir is in the works. I only hope he will take the time to record a full length solo album. “Traveling Mercies” will also serve as the perfect send off for those who are planning road trips this summer.
One of my favorite songs on the disc is “Pearl Moon (Hooverville Camp, 1932).” I knew from the title that this had to be based on a historical reference. Hooverville Camps were depression era shack towns built on the edge towns during the Great Depression. They provided a home for the down and out. This is one of those beautifully sad songs that you can’t help listening to again and again.
“Wicked Guns” provides a rocker for Mike Roe to showcase his wicked guitar work. It wouldn’t be a Lost Dogs record if Mike didn’t have a chance to rock out.
My one complaint is with the art work. Don’t get me wrong, Jimmy Abegg’s photography and art work is beautiful. But this is the type of album that demands a much more expanded booklet. I would love to see more of the photos Jimmy took. It would have been great to see them create an expanded disc and booklet for fans that want to pay more.
I could go on and on about Old Angel. This is an album that deserves much greater attention than it will receive, but the band will most likely continue to record in obscurity.
That is an injustice.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Amy Grant - Somewhere Down the Road
I have been horrible about writing in my blog consistently. It figures that it would take a new Amy Grant CD to get me to write.
Her new CD Somewhere Down the Road is amazing. I've been a fan since high school, maybe even earlier. Her albums Lead Me on and Behind the Eyes are among my favorite albums ever. But I have to admit I get nervous when I hear there is a new CD coming from Amy. Though she can be brilliant she can just as easily put out something that falls flat (Simple Things). She also has a way of putting out way too many Christmas albums. They are always enjoyable listens but I've always been hoping for something that reaches the artistic heights of Behind the Eyes.
Somewhere Down the Road does that. It makes sense that it includes two songs from Behind the Eyes (Somewhere Down the Road and Every Road). But fear not, this is not just a repackaging of her past music. It has four brand new songs along with some previously unreleased tracks. All the music blends together like it was created just for this CD.
The lead off track, Better than a Hallelujah, stops me in my tracks. I can listen to this song over and over again.
We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah
The song was written by Sarah Hart and Chapin Hartford. I'm not familiar with Chapin but Sarah is a wonderful songwriter worth checking out.
Amy also has a chance to sing with her daughter Sarah on the song Overnight. Their voices blend together beautifully in this wonderful duet. She said she has been looking for just the right song to do with her daughter and she found it with this one.
It is always interesting to see who Amy is collaborating with on her songwriting. Usual suspects like Wayne Kirkpatrick and Chris Eaton are on this album. She also took time to write with Mindy Smith and Ian Fitchuk and Justin Loucks. Ian and Justin produced Mindy's latest CD and the three of them were excellent choices for Amy to work with. I read that she also cowrote some music with Jon Foreman, though none of that made this CD. Hopefully it will be on another one soon.
One of the centerpieces of this CD is the rerecording of her song Arms of Love which she slows down for this take. The new version makes it beautifully reflective.
In a fairly daring move Amy included Come Into My World which features just her and a guitar. That's not something you typically see from most pop singers but the song fits beautifully with the overall theme of the album.
It is has been seven years since her last album of new songs (Simple Things). Behind the Eyes was six years prior to that. Hopefully this album will rekindle a passion for recording new music. I personally don't want to wait another six or seven years for new music from Amy.
I noticed that she is coming to the Detroit area this summer for a concert with Michael W. Smith. Until I heard this new music I was probably going to miss it. Now I have to get off my butt and look into tickets. I can't wait.
Her new CD Somewhere Down the Road is amazing. I've been a fan since high school, maybe even earlier. Her albums Lead Me on and Behind the Eyes are among my favorite albums ever. But I have to admit I get nervous when I hear there is a new CD coming from Amy. Though she can be brilliant she can just as easily put out something that falls flat (Simple Things). She also has a way of putting out way too many Christmas albums. They are always enjoyable listens but I've always been hoping for something that reaches the artistic heights of Behind the Eyes.
Somewhere Down the Road does that. It makes sense that it includes two songs from Behind the Eyes (Somewhere Down the Road and Every Road). But fear not, this is not just a repackaging of her past music. It has four brand new songs along with some previously unreleased tracks. All the music blends together like it was created just for this CD.
The lead off track, Better than a Hallelujah, stops me in my tracks. I can listen to this song over and over again.
We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah
The song was written by Sarah Hart and Chapin Hartford. I'm not familiar with Chapin but Sarah is a wonderful songwriter worth checking out.
Amy also has a chance to sing with her daughter Sarah on the song Overnight. Their voices blend together beautifully in this wonderful duet. She said she has been looking for just the right song to do with her daughter and she found it with this one.
It is always interesting to see who Amy is collaborating with on her songwriting. Usual suspects like Wayne Kirkpatrick and Chris Eaton are on this album. She also took time to write with Mindy Smith and Ian Fitchuk and Justin Loucks. Ian and Justin produced Mindy's latest CD and the three of them were excellent choices for Amy to work with. I read that she also cowrote some music with Jon Foreman, though none of that made this CD. Hopefully it will be on another one soon.
One of the centerpieces of this CD is the rerecording of her song Arms of Love which she slows down for this take. The new version makes it beautifully reflective.
In a fairly daring move Amy included Come Into My World which features just her and a guitar. That's not something you typically see from most pop singers but the song fits beautifully with the overall theme of the album.
It is has been seven years since her last album of new songs (Simple Things). Behind the Eyes was six years prior to that. Hopefully this album will rekindle a passion for recording new music. I personally don't want to wait another six or seven years for new music from Amy.
I noticed that she is coming to the Detroit area this summer for a concert with Michael W. Smith. Until I heard this new music I was probably going to miss it. Now I have to get off my butt and look into tickets. I can't wait.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Cheap Trick is my Fave of 2009
Some people smile when they see Cheap Trick "The Latest" at the top of my 2009 faves. I think some people just don't take them seriously. There is probably good reason since so many classic rock bands are relegated to the nostalgia tours and repackaging their greatest hits.
I've always loved Cheap Trick when I heard them on the radio, well except for some of the late 80's stuff they put out. Great rock songs from a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously. But my love of Cheap Trick was limited to hearing them on the radio, until their last CD "Rockford" came out. I read a few reviews that praised it and said it was among the best that year. That was all it took for me to check it out. Sure enough, Cheap Trick had produced a gem and I was hooked.
It took me several months to pick up "The Latest." I wanted to but I kept putting it off. Finally I saw it on a few end of the year best of lists for the Metro Times and that put me over the edge. After one listen I knew why these critics ranked it as their favorite of the year. It has great rock songs filled with hooks that bring you back to them hours later. They also avoid any calculated attempts at radio airplay. You get the sense that they set out to please themselves, and in the end they created a CD that holds its own with their best albums.
So far my favorites are "Miss Tomorrow", "These Days", and "Sick Man of Europe."
Interesting note, this is their first CD that they self released. I guess that saves them any arguments with the record company about what songs to include. I was also interested to see that in addition to a vinyl version they also released it on 8 Track Tape. Too funny. They even have a You Tube commercial on their website for one of their shows. It says "The Latest" is the number 1 selling 8 Track of 2009. Imagine that!
I have a dream that sometime they will play a show at the Salem High School Auditorium as a benefit for the high school radio station I manage. I know, it won't likely happen. But WSDP could use the money, and I'm sure they would come away with quite a few new fans. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
I've always loved Cheap Trick when I heard them on the radio, well except for some of the late 80's stuff they put out. Great rock songs from a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously. But my love of Cheap Trick was limited to hearing them on the radio, until their last CD "Rockford" came out. I read a few reviews that praised it and said it was among the best that year. That was all it took for me to check it out. Sure enough, Cheap Trick had produced a gem and I was hooked.
It took me several months to pick up "The Latest." I wanted to but I kept putting it off. Finally I saw it on a few end of the year best of lists for the Metro Times and that put me over the edge. After one listen I knew why these critics ranked it as their favorite of the year. It has great rock songs filled with hooks that bring you back to them hours later. They also avoid any calculated attempts at radio airplay. You get the sense that they set out to please themselves, and in the end they created a CD that holds its own with their best albums.
So far my favorites are "Miss Tomorrow", "These Days", and "Sick Man of Europe."
Interesting note, this is their first CD that they self released. I guess that saves them any arguments with the record company about what songs to include. I was also interested to see that in addition to a vinyl version they also released it on 8 Track Tape. Too funny. They even have a You Tube commercial on their website for one of their shows. It says "The Latest" is the number 1 selling 8 Track of 2009. Imagine that!
I have a dream that sometime they will play a show at the Salem High School Auditorium as a benefit for the high school radio station I manage. I know, it won't likely happen. But WSDP could use the money, and I'm sure they would come away with quite a few new fans. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Cheap Trick Tops My Best of for 2009
I'm a little behind on getting my best of 2009 together. I wrote a list of CD's that I picked up throughout 2009 and mulled it over for a few weeks. I thought Switchfoot would be my top choice and then I picked up both Cheap Trick and Rosanne Cash at the end of the year and they changed my opinion.
I've been very negligent about writing in my blog this past year. I hope to spend future blogs writing about some of my favorites of 2009. Hopefully I will get started on it before May. There's a resolution for me.
1 Cheap Trick - The Latest (Independent)
2 Rosanne Cash - The List (Manhattan)
3 Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane (Atlantic)
4 Drew Nelson - Dusty Road to Beulah Land (Waterbug)
5 Buddy and Julie Miller – Written in Chalk (New West)
6 Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome (INO)
7 Over the Rhine – Live From Nowhere Vol. 4 (GSD)
8 Need to Breathe – The Outsiders (Atlantic)
9 Sara Groves – Fireflies and Songs (INO)
10 Jen Sygit – So Long Pollyanna (Earthwork)
11 Sam Baker – Cotton (Music Road)
12 Susan Werner – Classics (Sleeve Dog)
13 Pierce Pettis – That Kind of Love (Compass)
14 Wilco – Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch)
15 U2 – No Line on the Horizon (Interscope)
16 Transatlantic – The Whirlwind (Radiant/Metal Blade)
17 Rachele Eve – Mouth of Feathers (Independent)
18 The Mountain Goats – The Life of the World To Come (4AD)
19 Jars of Clay – The Long Fall Back to Earth (Gray Matter/Sony)
20 Mindy Smith – Stupid Love (Vanguard)
21 Chris Richards and the Subtractions – Sad Sounds of the Summer (Gangplank)
22 The Ragbirds – Finally Almost Ready (Independent)
23 Mark Olson and Gary Louris – Ready for the Flood (New West)
24 Michael Miller – I Made You Up (Shiny Shiny)
25 Tinted Windows – Tinted Windows (S Curve)
26 Keri Noble – Keri Noble (Telarc)
27 Jo Serrapere – Love Going South (Detroit Radio Company)
28 Gurf Morlix – Last Exit to Hollywood (Independent)
29 Mayer Hawthorne – A Strange Arrangement ( Stones Throw)
30 Serena Ryder – Is It OK (Atlantic)
I've been very negligent about writing in my blog this past year. I hope to spend future blogs writing about some of my favorites of 2009. Hopefully I will get started on it before May. There's a resolution for me.
1 Cheap Trick - The Latest (Independent)
2 Rosanne Cash - The List (Manhattan)
3 Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane (Atlantic)
4 Drew Nelson - Dusty Road to Beulah Land (Waterbug)
5 Buddy and Julie Miller – Written in Chalk (New West)
6 Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome (INO)
7 Over the Rhine – Live From Nowhere Vol. 4 (GSD)
8 Need to Breathe – The Outsiders (Atlantic)
9 Sara Groves – Fireflies and Songs (INO)
10 Jen Sygit – So Long Pollyanna (Earthwork)
11 Sam Baker – Cotton (Music Road)
12 Susan Werner – Classics (Sleeve Dog)
13 Pierce Pettis – That Kind of Love (Compass)
14 Wilco – Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch)
15 U2 – No Line on the Horizon (Interscope)
16 Transatlantic – The Whirlwind (Radiant/Metal Blade)
17 Rachele Eve – Mouth of Feathers (Independent)
18 The Mountain Goats – The Life of the World To Come (4AD)
19 Jars of Clay – The Long Fall Back to Earth (Gray Matter/Sony)
20 Mindy Smith – Stupid Love (Vanguard)
21 Chris Richards and the Subtractions – Sad Sounds of the Summer (Gangplank)
22 The Ragbirds – Finally Almost Ready (Independent)
23 Mark Olson and Gary Louris – Ready for the Flood (New West)
24 Michael Miller – I Made You Up (Shiny Shiny)
25 Tinted Windows – Tinted Windows (S Curve)
26 Keri Noble – Keri Noble (Telarc)
27 Jo Serrapere – Love Going South (Detroit Radio Company)
28 Gurf Morlix – Last Exit to Hollywood (Independent)
29 Mayer Hawthorne – A Strange Arrangement ( Stones Throw)
30 Serena Ryder – Is It OK (Atlantic)
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