Customer Reviews

All About Town

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fabulous album -- one I am surprised hasn't been reviewed yet! Although I have a few guesses as to why they have not been reviewed here yet -- first of all, they defy catagorization, so I'm sure it's hard for them to find an audience. But an audience they certainly deserve. The V-roys have a unique and flexible sound, encompassing everything from hard guitar rock/pop to pure bluegrass. It is a mix impossible to describe other than to praise. This band bends and twists in all kinds of ways, keeping listeners on their toes and never letting a particular sound or genre get stale or mundane. They are afraid neither to let their hair down and rock and roll nor to run off a blistering bluegrass number. If you appreciate more than one style of music and the blending of purely American music styles, you should check out the V-roys. A great, exciting, diverse album!

It is too bad that the V-roys split up in the fall of '99. I have seen them 6 times and they are incredible live. This CD is their second effort and it is a bit more refined than their first (Just add ice). The songs are catchy, with a great southern rock sound that retains a simplicity that makes it unique and energenic. It is really a good CD, worth buying.

4.999 stars because it's just slightly lesser than Just Add Ice, the debut. That .001 deduction is the sound of Steve Earle sticking his nose in where it didn't belong - it's the sound of Earle breaking up the band.
I threw away "Copperhead Road" after hearing a few stories about the recording of this album. A drum machine instead of Gentleman Jeff Bills? Insanity.

Still, despite the meddling the band managed to make this one of my top 10 desert island discs.

The first time I heard this album, I was told it was the band Golden Smog. I purchased the so-called Golden Smog album and not one tune was familiar. After months of researching, I finally found out that it was the V-Roys. I bought the album immediately and it has been a regular in and out of the car ever since. Imagine The Replacements as a country band and you can get a smidget of a taste of what the V-Roys are about. I am extremely lucky to have seen them perform live before they broke up. The scene was perfect...small bar...loud music...and a Replacements cover. I highly recommend this album and everything else by them.

If you took Southern rock, alt country, a little alternative rock, a little bluegrass and poured them into a cocktail shaker, then shook vigorously for a few minutes and poured the whole thing into a highball, when you lifted the glass to your lips, you'd be about to drink down the V-Roys. Obviously these guys are kindred spirits with producer/mentor Steve Earle, whose own albums show the same reckless disregard for musical bondries. From the loud, grundgy guitars that open "The Window Song" to the alt country twang of "Virginia Way/Shenandoah Breakdown," this album rocks its way across genres. Although we have one more album on the way from these guys, they have officially split up, so this probably is the bands greatest moment on record. The songs are all solid, and the album's diversity from track to track is surprising and refreshing.

After waiting over 2 years since the release of their debut album, Just Add Ice, The V-Roys are again showing why the critics like them so much. With musical styles that range from bluegrass to 80's Rock from country to 60's rock, the diversity of this band will keep you wanting to listen to this album over and over again. This album is just plain fun to listen to and has the potential to put the V-Roys where they belong before a large national audience. Give it a listen. You won't be disappointed.

"All About Town" is one of the best records I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. As a country rock fan, it's very difficult to find any band that can mix playful pop, straight forward rock, and thoughtful lyrics onto one album, but it's finally been done. This album is a roller coaster ride of of 60's pop, celtic rock, bluegrass, and ballads. If you are a fan of any of the following; John Prine, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, or old fashioned hoedown music then buy this album. You won't believe how a band that gets so little national press can be so good!

Being a fan of "Alternative Country" music can be depressing (no pun intended to the magazine). There are so many great albums that go out of print and so many awesome artists that lose their record contracts. The V-Roys's "All About Town," is yet another first rate musical effort that has been buried by the indifference of record buyers who only seem interested in the next Garth Brooks or Shania Twain offering.

"All About Town" features a variety of sounds, from Beatles-esque rock to rockabilly to country to folk to even a touch of Bluegrass. They can sign lighthearted songs about girls ("Mary," "Amy 88", "Arianne" and "Sorry Sue") good rocking tunes ("The Window Song," "She's Strange") and even give you a good old fashioned history lesson ("Virginia Way/Shenandoah Breakdown"). Why talented artists such as this have such a hard time finding a larger audince is beyond me. Nevertheless, "All About Town" is a keeper.

This is the best of the year for sure! I don't make a road trip without it. The record defies all labels. There is something on it for every type of music listener - Rock, Country, Pop, Bluegrass. Love it!!

I loved their debut, but this record blows that out of the water. These guys are great. Picture the Beatles playing hillbilly music. And go ahead, try to keep a dry eye when listening to "Fade Away." I just wish they would visit Minneapolis!