Customer Reviews

30 on Rail

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Mark's new album ROCKS like nobody's business! The lyrics are gr8. Deep, yet singable; you wont forgot them anytime soon and they have so much meaning. His voice comes out surprisingly strong on the album. Overall it's the best album I've heard in a long time.

You could say that this (along with Musical Chairs) may be the best Hootie-related album after Cracked Rear View. These are more than pass-overs for Hootie records (the moving City By a River is the only one the whole band was in on writing). The guitar work here is definetely his best yet and more diverse than on Hootie albums. The songs cover a broad emotional spectrum and several could have been hits if this wonderful album had the promotion it deserved. I highly recommend this to anyone fan who wants intelligent, heart-felt rock and roll. It may be three years old now, but its still in heavy rotation in my CD player.

Being a great song writer and having an excellent ear for making catchy tunes will take you a long way. Sure, his voice is not that of Darius but it proves that there is a whole lot of talent in that band just waiting to come out. Every song stands on its own and further proves Mark is truly talented even without Darius, Dean and Soni alongside. A great solo recording that deserves a listen from all Hootie fans (and that's a lot of people).

I am so glad Mark Bryan finally released these songs. I am the biggest Hootie & The Blowfish fan and have heard these songs over the years. Everyone should blast this CD from their car all summer.

"30 on the Rail" is a good set of solo tunes penned by Mark Bryan. If one expects this to be a Blowfish clone, you'll go crazy. But taken on its merits, this is a great pop/rock set that shoots straight like a bullet. Peter Holsapple from the db's & Continental Drifters lends a hand with piano & organ. Producer Don Dixon whose solo "Invisible Man" CD was an idiosyncratic delight adds bass & background vocals. This set was recorded in '96 & '97, but not released by Atlantic until 2000. The one song cowritten with his Blowfish buddies "Cry By a River" is a slow track with a pretty melody, "And if I should wake tomorrow to a sky that's dull & grey, would you remind me that you're behind me?" "Drinkin' You Pretty" has a kind of sloshing energy based on the premise that given enough liquor, any woman can become an object of momentary affection. "Just Takes Time" is a laid-back tune with Holsapple's pretty piano. "2 Guys Named Tim" is a midtempo pretty pop track with Bryan's vocals used to good effect. At the end of the CD, I guess it's Bryan who howls out, "I can't play this s**t any more!" It's an odd way to comment on one's music, but the set holds up well although there is no single blockbuster breakout track to serve as a calling card. Enjoy!

The CD 30 on the Rail is a great buy if you are a diehard Hootie fan. Mark Bryan is great as a soloist and shows his great depth not only as a musician but as artist. Songs like City by a River are sure to be favorites, perhaps even in mainstream.

This solo by Mark Bryan makes you want to, "Roll down the windows and let the wind blow back your hair". His voice has come a long way....job well-done Mark!I short you one star, soley because you aren't jamming that six string in my livingroom!

I can't see how anyone could give this cd a 1/5 stars. They certainly weren't listening to the same cd I have. True, Mark isn't the greatest singer in the world, he'll be the first to tell you that, and Darius Rucker's voice probably could've helped this album a little, but it is still awesome. The songs will have you belting out the choruses the first time you hear them. "I'll Fade Away", "City By a River", "The Story Goes On", and "If it Happens" will have your toes tapping and your heads banging. "Drinking you Pretty" is a slower song but is also awesome. The only thing I can't figure out is why Hootie didn't use these songs as a full band. Either way this album which blends rock, country, blues and even a bit of gospel is great. It is the most fun cd to listen to I've bought in a while.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Mark Bryan! Just as the maestro did with Hootie, he's as brilliant as ever on this CD!

The album shows you where the true Hootie talent was. It was hidden away, afraid to come out. (I know how you feel Mark) Until now!

Gosh! I don't even know how many times my friends and I have blared and sung along with "30 on the Rail" before going out for the evening. It's so easy! In a lot of ways it's quickly becoming an anthem for us! Track number 4 especially!

I totally agree with the review below, I'll be blasting this out of my jeep all summer long!

His once repressed guitar rythms back from the "Hootie" era now burst forth and we hear how Mark can REALLY gig with that Gibson! This CD is flirtatious, sexy and fun. The vocals take you back to falling in love again.....