Customer Reviews

50-Odd Dollars

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

 

 

Fred Eaglesmith have really managed to take country music to a new level. He builds up a musical and lyrical landscape whith strong ties to old heroes like Hank Williams, Bill Monroe and Elvis Presley. But even though he never strays from the tradition he has taken the old ways and adapted them to the 21st century. "50 odd dollars" starts where his last record "Lipstick lies and gasoline" left off. This time the songs have a somewhat rawer edge to them, but the lyrics deal with the same kind of issues as his last record: loneliness, desperation, cadillacs and guns. This record is a must buy for every country and rock'n roll fan out there who believes in the future of a musical tradition that is allmost dead in comercial radio and television.

It's interesting to see the change and development of this great band over the last three albums. There's still some classic broken-beer-bottles-and-chickenwire Eaglsmith on this album, but more impressive is to hear the new things that are going on. Definately worth the purchase.

This is a new direction for this band. Longtime fans are familiar with his more acoustic, multi-instrumental work. I was a little surprised with the sound of this CD at first..but I fell in love with almost immediately. The surf guitar on "Gettin' To Me" totally shreds! It's all still Fred; just cranked up to 10!!! Can't go wrong with this one!!!

The beauty of Fred is that he has an uncanny ability to cut to the chase with simple yet profound lyrics and music. He's clever and insightful without being overly dramatic or cryptic. He cuts right through and gives you damn good honest music! This album is certainly different from prior releases though not better - just different. His use of studio musicians and electricity shows a different side of the band. Not one you would likely see at one of his live shows. Through this CD he shows that he's got range as the review above indicates. Blue Tick Hound rocks, Alternator swings, Carter swoons, and Mighty Big Car flat out kicks butt.

Fred Eaglesmith has become a fixture here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...and he has never failed to disappoint! Be it live outdoors (Folkfest '99) or a smokey beer joint (Sidetrack), Fred, Willy P., Washboard Hank, and the other guy put on a show that you do not want to miss.

Just do not book him behind a celtic band!!!

You will never be able to listen to lyrics again without comparing them to Mr. Eaglesmith's. And rarely do others compare favorably. Raise your listening bar and buy this and any other FJE album.

I had never heard Fred Eaglesmith's music before picking up this CD, and I can't say after listening to it that I think that I was missing anything. Though rather high on energy, Eaglesmith doesn't seem to have put much effort into the songwriting. The whole disc just kind slid by in musical mass, without any of the songs jumping out and grabbing my attention. Maybe I just expected too much from the disc's clever title.