[Ferret]

If you like your rock southern, this band are about as good as it gets nowadays.

The singing is twangy and there are steel guitars and banjos, but their new record The Big To-Do really, really rocks. They have three guitarists and really know how to jam and how to bring their songs to huge climaxes (in fact, I almost came to a huge climax during one of their guitar solos, that's how good they are - well, I might be slightly exaggerating).

A couple of ballads there, but lovely ones in the folk tradition. Might be edging out Gorillaz as my favourite record of this year, it's so good.

Everyone, check them out ASAP.

[Kathleen]

I'm familiar with some of their older stuff - and it never did much for me. I admit to having a built in prejudice about the twang. However, and it is a big however, they are known for their superior guitar work.

Is the new album any less twangy?

[Ferret]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

I'm familiar with some of their older stuff - and it never did much for me. I admit to having a built in prejudice about the twang. However, and it is a big however, they are known for their superior guitar work.

Is the new album any less twangy?

It's certainly nowhere near as twangy as other "Southern Rock" acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and whoever. The rockers are more sorta just heavy rock/Americana things, Neil Young comes to mind when I try and describe their rockers, but they don't sound hugely like him either. Of the two ballads I remember (having only listened to the album once) one was a folk song and one was a soul number. There was I think one song that a country melody/chord progression but it also had nice beefy guitars.

Take from that what you will.

[Rob]

Just giving them a listen now on Spotify Jack. From what I can see me and you have similar music tastes (Stones, Who, etc). Just listening to Goodbye and it sounds decent.

[Rob]

****! Thanks for the suggestion Jack. Listened to about 4 songs so far and I'm loving what I'm hearing. Just listening to The Day Jon Henry Died. Great song. It's got to be about the John Henry that Pete Seeger wrote about, that Bruce covered in The Seeger Sessions.

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Rob

****! Thanks for the suggestion Jack. Listened to about 4 songs so far and I'm loving what I'm hearing. Just listening to The Day Jon Henry Died. Great song. It's got to be about the John Henry that Pete Seeger wrote about, that Bruce covered in The Seeger Sessions.

Yup - same dude

When John Henry was a little bitty baby nobody ever taught him how to read
but he knew the perfect way to hold a hammer was the way the railroad baron held the deed.

John Henry told his captain,
"Lord a man ain't nothin' but a man
But before I let this steam drill beat me down
I'm gonna die with a hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord
Die with a hammer in my hand"

It's an American legend with lots of different meanings. But it has always been about the individual versus "the man"or the corporation or the railroad baron.

[C'monFeet]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

It's an American legend with lots of different meanings. But it has always been about the individual versus "the man"or the corporation or the railroad baron.

I'll see your John Henry and raise you a Todd Rundgren

I Hold No Blame for Anyone
'Twas I who Did Arrange
To Pay my Union Dues
So I'd not Have to Work or Change

Todd Rundgren - honest work - YouTube

[Ferret]

"Ronnie and Neil, Ronnie and Neil, rock stars today ain't half so real!"

YouTube

What a tune.