Customer Reviews

Americano

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Listening to this disc for the first time, I was reminded of Creedence Clearwater, Buffalo Springfield, and Tim O'Brien. All in the best way. This band has a similar way of linking together songs that aren't necessarily thematically homogenous, and making them stand up as a unified whole. This collection of twelve originals (there is an unbilled track) rocks along, with a country-fried front porch undertone, both a party time soundtrack and a little something for when you're just chilling.

There are no out-and-out bad tracks on this album. The closest there might be is "Your Name On a Grain of Rice," which rambles a little, but is still quite good. Other tracks, like "Counterclockwise," "Leaky Little Boat," and "God Gave Me a Gun," weave in and out of a guitar rock sounscape that moves from the driving electricity of the title track, through dark reveries like "Switchblade," to the acoustic-based "Leave an Open Door" with scarcely a hiccup.

Not everyone will like this album, but not everyone should. There's an atmosphere to it like two beers and a basket of mozarella sticks with good friends. Gleefully unsophisticated and kickingly friendly, this is music for the kind of people who don't mind lying to the spouse about why you spent an extra hour at the pub with that guy you hope your kids never actually meet.

Some versions of this CD are packed with a DVD about the making of the album. This isn't exactly something you want to watch over and over again, like "Lord of the Rings," but it's a fun insight into the creative process and a peek into the life of the kind of band who deserves more attention than they get, but is happy to play for a core of devoted fans.

If only more albums like this came out for the devoted music lover, there would be no complaints against modern American recording. If you've heard of this disc, you're already ahead of the curve. Pick up a copy and play it loud, and see if you don't feel like there's hope for American music in the early Twenty-first Century.

For fans of the (former) Refreshments or the alive and kicking Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, this album is a welcome, long awaited gift. For those who have never heard the band - live or otherwise - it will take a little getting use to - but you'll find it very much worth your listening pleasure!

Rock with a southwest flair and lyrics that run deep is the only way to categorize this album and band. Previously pegged as alt-country, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (aka RCPM) have really grown to a new dimension on Americano! There are some who will argue - myself included - that this finest of work helps them reach a point in their music that Seeger, Springsteen, Buffet and Petty were at, just prior to being "discovered" by the rest of the country. Yes, it's that good!

From the opening explosion of the title song `Americano!", through the hard driving but simple "I Don't Need Another Thrill", and even with the raggee-ish "Leaky Little Boat", the bands lyrics and delivery leave you with both the hope and the despair that sometimes comes with living on either side of our southern borders. But through it all the rich distinctive voice of Clyne spins a yarn as good as any pop lyricist today. Backed by an incredibly tight band with former Refreshments and drummer-great P.H. Naffah, talented Danny White on Bass and the incredible Steve Larson on Guitar, the band manages to restrain itself where appropriate, and explode with power and life when called upon.

Capping off the album is the beautiful "Leave An Open Door", possibly the sleeper of the entire set. Of course the 'hidden' "Hungover You", as well as the sing-along "Mexican Moonshine" reflect on the light south-of-da-border atmosphere the band has come from .... and goes back to on frequent occasions. In fact as a bonus included with the CD is a simple but wonderful "In the making" and "on tour" 50+ minute DVD which helps take you through the trials, tribulations and ultimate success the band achieved in grinding out this 4th album. Much of the album and the DVD takes place either in Mexico or with the heavy influence of the Arizona/Mexican border from which the band comes from.

Not a bad song on the album, and a few I have not mentioned will surely get me a tongue lashing from real Peacemaker fans as being "great" - therefore - why not included? Which is fine in that there is such depth and variety for all to hear!

I can leave any reader with these 3 bits of advice:
1. Get this album
2. Absorb this album
3. Then see the band live. The music and the experience will open your eyes to the incredible combination of great songwriting, great musical talent, incredible energy and most of all the FUN that rock 'n roll was meant to be!

Salute!

Rock is alive and well amigo and survives by the independent artists who have the courage to support themselves soley on the merits of thier talent. The Peacemakers are the real deal.
Roger Clyne paints the picture and the band provides the color for a peice of art that brings joy to the soul. This CD is thier best effort to date. Steve Larson's guitar work simply shines while not distracting from the message. He is sublime and talented.Roger writes his best songs and lyrics ever. Simple and catchy. There are probably more references to Mexico than any other album he has done but I for one am not sick of hearing "another song about Mexico".PH Naffah compliments every song and he is as perfect as usual providing the beats. This guy is underated as percussionist.To see them live is to love them and you will find a dedicated upbeat audience who sings every word and you will be inducted into the Peacemaker army. Until then buy this CD.

I have always been a Refreshments fan, but kind of dropped off when they split and it was a while before I realized Roger was still putting out great music.

I happened to be in Spokane on business this past fall, and saw that Roger and his Peacemakers were playing at the Big Easy. One of those better decisions in my life deciding to go. What a great show, and I hadn't heard a lot of his post-Refreshments stuff (although he played plenty of his Refreshments music) but all the songs were instantly likeable and good.

So I got Americano. Truly an excellent CD. Now I happen to favor his slower numbers-- "Switchblade," "Your Name on a Grain of Rice" and "Leave an Open Door" are my favorites, but the whole album is great for a rocking, rootsy listen. Roger's lyrical imagery has always brought me right to the dusty, hot but beautiful Southwest, and his storytelling and heartfelt musicianship are truly superb.

Roger Clyne does not compromise-- he writes and sings exactly what he wants to and what he is good at. It's too bad he has not garnered more credit and attention, although it makes it kind of nice since he plays at such small, intimate venues and you can actually meet him/buy his band a beer after the show.

I have introduced this album to about a half-a-dozen people so far, and they have all loved it. It is one of my favorites of last year, and if I ever get a chance to see him live again I will do it in a heartbeat.

I've been a huge fan of Roger Clyne's style, wit, and wisdom since I first stumbled on the Refreshments years and years ago. The music he is making today with the Peacemakers is some of the best yet and believe me when I say it is well worth the ticket and the time to travel to see these guys play live. Americano continues the tradition of taking the listener on an adventure lyrically and musically to a place, sometimes familiar, sometimes not, but always worth the ride.

Keep the music and the tour dates coming! (And don't forget your Virginia friends)

Vaya con Dios

This is my first Roger Clyne cd but it's really really good music. This is about as American straight-up rock-n-roll as it gets nowadays.

At times, this album sounds like the great rock of the 80's if it were being done today.

It's almost as if Bon Jovi (back when they were good) moved to Arizona/Mexico and jumped forward 20 years into the future and made this rockin album.

Support good music - Buy it!

Having been a huge fan of Roger's since his days with The Refreshments, I've spent a lot of time listening to everything he's ever put out. As much as I love The Refreshments, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers are even better, and they just keep getting better and better. Americano! is the best CD they've ever done, and that's really saying a lot. This CD is utterly without flaw. Every track on it is different, but brilliant. Roger's lyrics, the band's musicianship, the production quality, all of it is fantastic. I keep trying to come up with a favorite track, but I can't do it - every track is fantastic, and covers a HUGE spectrum of musical styles. Want straight-ahead rock? Try "Americano!" or "I Don't Need Another Thrill". Want a jazzy groove? "Loco to Stay Sane" is for you. Want intelligent pop? "Counterclockwise". A Jimmy Buffett-style tune? "Leaky Little Boat". An introspective story that Steve Earle would be proud to call his own? "Switchblades".

Trust me on this one - buy the CD, then go see them live when they are in your neighborhood (which they will be, unless you live so far in BFE that you don't even get network TV). They are not only the best band on CD, they are, without question, the best live band anywhere. I've seen over 400 bands over the years, and none of them compare to RCPM live.

So quit reading and buy the CD already, would ya?

¡Americano! The Peacemakers 3rd studio album exceeds my expectations! As a fan since principle songwriter/lead singer/guitarist Roger Clyne and drummer P.H. Naffah's Refreshments days, I can tell you that Roger Clyne's music definately shaped the way I look at life itself. And I wonder what things may be like without a band like the Peacemakers out there, without Roger? Much like the Boss(Springsteen), this band pours their heart and soul into every live show. ¡Americano! brings that flair of roots rock/americana music with an edge of southwest taste embedded. From the opening album-titled track, just good o'l rock 'n roll all through out, no doubt! This is Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers most diverse album to date and possibly their best! From heart filled rock gems found on "I Don't Need Another Thrill", "Leave An Open Door", "God Gave Me A Gun" to reggae-like hooks found on "Leaky Little Boat" to the addition of an accordian/horn on their tribute to "Mexican Moonshine", to some blues riffs found on "Loco To Stay Sane" and not forgetting the most radio-friendly "Counterclockwise" that'll have lyrics stuck in yer head from day one listenin' to ¡Americano!. It's hard to pick a favorite track! From the Refreshments major label debut album "Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy" you can see the mastership of Roger Clyne's maturity into songwriting and just the pureness of essential rock 'n roll that many mainstream radio stations may be missing. They are the good o'l boys, to devoted drummer P.H. Naffah, with multi-talented Danny "Blanco" White as bassist to Steve Larson's outstanding showcase as lead guitarist. Get ¡Americano! you won't be dissapointed! YES! The Peacemakers are the best kept secret from Arizona. Fans of the Refreshments, Petty, Springsteen, & Cougar-Mellencamp, shouldn't overlook any Peacemakers' album. A must in yer rock 'n roll collection and a genuine album at that! with or without the limited edition DVD ~peace and here's to life!

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers once again produce another great album. All three of their albums (and live album) are top notch, but doesn't do them justice for their live show. I have seen them three times, and one of those was his solo tour. They play atleast three hours each time, and they played four hours in Mexico back in October. His solo act in Chicago was great, 90% requests and 3 hours long, no break. I have never seen a band so devoted to its fan base, even among the punk and emo scenes. I highly suggest you pick up any Peacemaker's records and Refreshment's records, you won't be disappointed!

I've yet to meet anyone who even knows of this band. This is truly sad. I've seen them four times in the past two years, and they f**king KILL on stage. As great as this is, it's not even their best effort; if you like this, you'll LOVE the two studio and one live CD that preceded it. By all means, get the two Refreshments CDs as well. These guys f**king RAWK!!!