Customer Reviews

Change of Living

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

 

 

I have to admit, I was expecting a lot out of these guys. I discovered their last reincarnation, The Anniversary, just before their album 'Your Majesty' was released, and was an instant fan. I was upset when they broke up, but was happy to see the immediate formation of the Holy Ghosts, which became the Only Children. The album finally arrived (thanks Glurp!) and here I am listening to something that only slightly delivers. There are some good tunes - 'West Virginia', 'Lonesome Road', and the raw 'Girl With the Golden Hair' are all very good, and a few others are borderline. And their use of the sitar is cool.

But if you are looking for the same quality as Anniversary, you probably won't like this. It's more of a hick blues band (the facial hair and apparent lack of clean clothes from photos of them while recording should have clued me in). Sorry to sound like I'm coming down so hard on the band - they are definitely a talented bunch, and I am a big fan of Josh Berwanger's writing. I was just expecting something a bit more polished. Guess they were just going for a different vibe. Still, I am looking forward to seeing them live next time they're out my way.

The Only Children are one of the best bands to come out in 2004. Now if your emo, which hopefully you're not, you won't like it. but, if you're looking for some quality rock n roll sound, check it out. if you like the anniversary(your majesty,split e.p.), wilco, niel young, or even the brian jonestown massacre, you will fall in love with this record. try to see em!

The music is decent, but not outstanding. Josh Berwanger [vocals, guitar, songwriter] has stated that he's bored with rock music because it's so "one-dimensional," and punk rock because it's "not even one-dimensional," but considering how dramatically his styles changes from record to record, this album feels a bit like that poseur kid we all know who tries on a new style every other month and each time insists he's legit. It seems a bit pretentious to write songs about living in/growing up in southern states you don't actually live in, and writing lyrics to sound like a 1920's redneck when you're actually not. The album has a bit of a caricatured, hipster-ish feel in this regard.

But the music is okay, so if you like rootsy, faux-country rock, pick it up.

Wow. Is truly the only word to describe this album. From the begining to the end this cd is truly amazing. Like others have said this is a new and different sound for former Anniversary members Josh Berwanger, Jim David, and Janko. It a must by for any music fan. It mixes alt. country with bluegrass and rock. They are such an amazing mixture of artists, buy this cd. Buy many copies of this cd and give them as gifts.

From the last Anniversary album "Your Majesty" and the subsequent disbanding key memebers have reassembled along with some good friends to deliver this outstanding example of bluegrass country rock as The Only Children. Hailing back to the days of early american blues inspired country rock the album begins with the narrative "Sky Begins to Storm" and later peaks with "West Virginia" possibly the hottest jam on the album. It is all rounded out with "The Circle Will Not Be Broken" A country anthem of sorts. The cd's ripping pedal steel provided by Hot Rod Circuit's Casey Prestwood and sweet keys and backing vocals by Heidi Gluck of Juliana Hatfield's Some Girls mesh beautifully with Berwanger's smokey voice and ghostly lyrics. Other members include bassist Jim David and drummer Christian Jankowski both foremly of The Anniversary and Blues solo guitarist TK Webb.

A breath of fresh air to a stale, boring, and uninspiring time for music. Thank you. This album is long over due. Maybe rock and roll isn't dead after all.