Customer Reviews

Advanced Medication for the Blues

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Keith Sykes is one of those rare musicians that seems to remain in the background, content in leaving the spotlight to others. As a member of Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, and as the driving force behind Todd Snider, I knew he had talent. I bought this C.D. without any knowledge of it's content. It turns out to be full of sing-a-longs, and catchy riffs. The title song will stick in your head all day, and you'll be singing it under your breath. "Better than a Husband" has some wonderful blues riffs and the lyrics are funny as hell. But what else would you expect from a Buffett protege'? I highly recommend this recording. I'm happy it's on compact disc; if it were on vinyl or cassette, I would've worn it out by now!

Keith Sykes has always deliveried Memphis music at its best. In this CD you can feel the fun it must have been to record each track. Simple, yet tight Rock and Roll with a touch of the south.

It is a shame that Keith's earlier works are not rereleased on CD.

I've been following Keith for many years. I'm still intrigued everytime I hear his new work. His ability to take everyday happenings/life and turn it into entertainment is likened to many of the well known blues writers of our time. He also shows just how close blues, country and rock really are with many of these songs able to go in any of those directions. Great entertainment. P.S. I want you, I need you and I (would) love you if you left this one off the album.

As a life-long Memphian in the same age group, I'm fortunate to have "grown up" with the music of Keith Sykes, from "I'm Not Strange" to this latest effort. I've watched and enjoyed the maturity in songwriting and this CD is but another success.

Keith Sykes' ninth solo album, "Advanced Medication For The Blues," is a self-produced rock record and the debut release for Memphis-based Syren Records.

"Advanced Medication For The Blues" rocks full tilt from the opening track and never lets up. Highlights include "I Know An Angel," a loving testament to youthful innocence he wrote for his grandchild, Kelsey; "The Whole 9 Yards," a modern-day outlaw tale; and "One World," which takes a sitar-like riff and infuses it with a swamp groove worthy of Dire Straits. The CD was produced, recorded and mixed at The Woodshed--Memphis by Keith Sykes.

Check out what the media has to say about Keith Sykes and "Advanced Medication for the Blues:"

"Keith is an unsung hero of Memphis' singer-songwriter tradition. Check out the despairing "One Up One Down" for a passionate example of his craft..." G. Brown/The Denver Post

"Keith Sykes make records far too infrequently; a fine collection of tracks..." Jason Ankeny/All-Music Guide

"Six years after his last album, roots rocker Sykes returns with a barn burner. Sykes writes like a maniac unleashed..." Alanna Nash/ Entertainment Weekly

"Jimmy Buffett, Jerry Jeff Walker and John Prine have all covered his songs. He comes up with a winner in "I Know an Angel"..." Bill Ellis/The Commercial Appeal

"Part swamp, part blues, and certainly pop induced, he offers well-crafted, guitar-driven three-minute pop snapshots. What separates Sykes from the herd are catchy melodies coated with lyrics that are self-deprecating and full of wit. These are not philosophical musings of the big picture, but pinpricks of the local Joe just trying to make life work..." Dirty Linen

I can merely add that Keith Sykes can still rock with the best of 'em and his songwriting talents, never in question, just keep getting stronger!!