Customer Reviews

Bareback

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow -- I bought this on a whim.... anyway, the Hank Dogs do not disappoint... This is lush, and serpentine, and not entirely to be trusted; full of tequila, ponds steaming on cold mornings, rusty bridles, closeted skeletons, innuendo-laden smiles that aren't really smiles, and old grievances tended like fires... Guitars curl round and round each other with reptilian grace until each song has been knitted into a scaly lattice, in and out of which the two women's voices weave and bob like the doves they most certainly are not...

Despite the presence of Joe Boyd, the early Fairport comparison seems inappropriate -- they really sound very little like FC. More like a hybrid of Townes Van Zandt at his quietest, early Freakwater, and a much less gratuitous Sundays (circa their first two albums), with a spare, hollow, tight sound that owes more to late-70s/early-80s Rough Trade skronkety-pop than it does to 60s Witchseason aesthetics (although there are definitely shades of "Pink Moon" herein) -- despite all that, however, the Hank Dogs' music is deeply rooted in the Contemporary (whatever your definition of that might be) and aren't so easy to pin down.

God I hope people find this record! Toss up your money right now, tell a friend, call radio stations, write a letter campaign. This is one of the finest new folk/country (and really - what is country music anyway but american folk music??) CD's I have heard in years. Having whet my appetite on June Tabor, Pentangle, Lyle Lovett, Christine Collister, Lucinda Williams, Richard Shindell, Richard Thompson I am finally ready for Hank Dogs. The harmonies are brilliant, sure they are occasionally a bit out of perfect pitch, but that is part the pleasure of listening. Lily and Piano are perfect together. Each winds around the others voice so well they sometimes sound like 1. The guitar work is FLAWLESS. The Spanish guitars and horns on the title track are guaranteed to make your heart ache. 18 dogs is in the style of a classic Celtic tale with a western twist. I could carry on but it just started coming around again on track one and I have to go listen.........

I first heard several selections on World Cafe Program on my local public radio station and was captivated. I bought the CD on a whim and have practically worn it out.

The entire CD is mesmerizing, haunting and addictive. I have bought it and recommended it several people. The vocals are amazing and the lyrics are poetic. Its hard to imagine that there are only three people in the group, the sound is so lush.

If you like Mazzy Star, the Sundays, the Cowboy Junkies or are just a fan of folk music, you should definitely give this a try. Play it though entirely and just try not to hit repeat!

Hank Dogs craft the kind of delicate, sweet music most often associated with cries to the wolf mother or celebrations of lunar cycles, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The gorgeous, heart-tearing harmonies and intricate guitar work conceal disturbing lyrics of rare power. Unless I'm mis-hearing, "bareback" is about a girl's bitter sexual awakening, and the sing-along Highland keening of "18 dogs" contains the refrain, "come on in boys, the door's wide open, But I warn you my dogs are born to win. I'll take the greatest of pleasure in watching you torn limb from limb." This is a Joe Boyd production, and with such seminal figures as Nick Drake and Richard Thompson in his past, this all figures.

Hank Dogs' music recalls the grand, noirish, yet thrillingly claustrophobic feel of the writing of David Goodis or Jim Thompson, yet the beauty of the playing complements and softens the punch of the lyrical imagery.

Only four stars because I'm waiting for their second.

Folk music often gets a bad name because it emphasizes lyrical profundity over musicianship and frequently comes off as quite wimpy. No such problem with The Hankdogs' "Bareback," which is as lyrically tough as any folk album ever recorded. The song "18 Dogs" for example fantasizes about the viscious killing of strangers who are up to no good. Lead singer and songwriter Piano (now THERE's an original name) compliments her strong vocals with decent songs and lyrics that will keep you on your toes. The highlights include the opening "Lucky Break," the gorgeous yet haunting "I'm an Angel," and "One From Your Head." The one drawback is that at 14 songs and nearly an hour of running time it can wear the listener out.

Overall, an eye opening album from a band that has revitalized the folk rock form.

Nothing about this album is of the ordinary. The melodies and harmonies capture you equally and together they over power you into knowing that this is one of the more intelligent albums out there. Unlike the plethora of overstylized albums that are a staple of the music market Hank Dogs is composed of artists and one listen will put all others to shame.

You will not be disappointed. If you like folk, and especially English Folk, or have ever thought that you might be interested in any sort of folk...do yourself a favor and make the plunge. The melodies, the voices, and the impeccable guitars are a true delight. I thank God that this comes in CD format because otherwise I would have burned a hole in any vinyl version! A deal at twice the price. I just wish they would have put out more CD's, but this one, and "Half Smile" are worth the wait.

I bought this because I thought it might be good CD...and WOW was I right. It is a true treasure. I love it more with each listen. It's lush and beautiful vocals and guitars are amazing. I anxiously await another album from this VERY OVERLOOKED band!

Heavenly harmonies, intriguing lyrics, and impeccable acoustic guitar work all combine to produce the best new music I've heard in years. At a post-concert autograph session the other night, I was shocked to find that Dar Williams had never heard of them. Someone needs to spread the word!

A fan of Enya, I stumbled upon Hank Dogs and immediately was mesmerized by the acoustics; and then the lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks. Here's a group that not only leaves you with the beautiful harmonies ringing in your ears but pricks you with lyrics like those from "18 Dogs." They're definitely not afraid to take a chance and I eagerly await their next CD.