Customer Reviews

The Clark Family Experience

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been anxiously awaiting this CD for almost 2 years, since I heard "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" on the radio. Glad to see Curb Records got their act together and gave the fans what they wanted!! I must admit I am a little disappointed in the overproduction of the CD. Having seen them live several times, I know the Clarks are all about simplicity. The team of Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw made it sound like one of the latter's wife's CDs.

My other chief complaint is Alan always singing lead. Ashley does such an awesome job on "Going Away" (which he also wrote) - let him sing more!! Most of the songs are familiar from country radio - 4 of the 10 have been singles already - and the new ones are equally as good, if not a little better. It's hard to pick one favorite song, but "It'll Always Be You" and "Because" are two standouts. "Restless", which was the b-side of the "Ranch" CD single, is notably absent. :( "Standin' Still" and "To Quote Shakespeare" are both awesome, upbeat songs. I like to crank them up loud and sing along. "When I Look at You" has a very cool drum beat to it and "Just Emily" has a very cool 1980's-Bryan-Adams-feel guitar intro, the lyrics are about a girl too good to be true - and makes me wish my name was Emily. "Tell Me What You Wanna Do" is a mid-tempo, really sweet song, the strings are great and vocals are super tight in the chorus. Of course, the song (and video!) that got it started is reason enough to buy this CD!! **hums "sitting on the front porch swingin' with Blanche..."**

All in all, the whole CD is absolutely stellar. CFX is way above any pop boy-band fare and was on the radio before Emerson Drive. Hopefully the brothers will rise above their recent troubles and be around for a long, long, long time. The 'A-team' play the strings right off their instruments in concert and seem to be held back a little on the record - next time let it fly guys!

I first saw them in concert in Sept. 2001, and a couple more times in March 2002, and these guys rock! They are all extremely talented as they play their own music. There aren't too many musicians out there today that can play their own instruments. All of them are equally talent, but Ashley's fiddle-playing shines.

All of their songs are magnificent, from Ashley's "Going Away" to the fiery "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch". The melodies of their songs varies, but each one of them has a catchy tune, and deals with everyday lives and feelings. All in all, terrific CD. It's about time it was released, though! :-)

A little side note: I got the pleasure of meeting these talented brothers in March, and they are all truly wonderful and friendly.

I was disappointed with this collection. You will not find the rich complex harmony and instrumental genius,that won them top honors on TV's The Next Great American Band. There is nothing special about the band on this CD, nothing wrong either,just a little country band. I cannot wait for a new release that will showcase the unique,mature talent that the Clarks have developed . They've come a long way, baby.

The wait is over, all expectations are being realized. This self-titled debut album reflects the same interigty and fun that the Clark Family Experience likes to display on stage. The album features four new songs that the band doesn't do in concert and I can't understand why not, as with the rest of the album the new songs are upbeat and beautifully done. I especially love "You Were Smilin" which proves these guys can do ballads as well as traditional contry and bluegrass.
Of course "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" will always be a favorite as this was the song that introduced me to the band. "Standing Still" will always be my absolute favorite, the words are spunky and animated, "Going Away" and "When I Look at You" prove the Clarks can not only sing and play their own instruments, but can write their own songs.
I am not surprised at how much I am enjoying this CD, I have seen the band several times in concert and they just seem to get better all the time. This album is a must for all CFX fans and anyone else who appreciates and enjoys good music.
After all is said and done the Clarks make "jumping over trouble like there ain't nothing to it" look easy. They have beat the odds and overcome incredible obstecles and have gone the distance to prove they have the stamina it takes to last a long time in a business that has knocked others down in the past.

My first introduction to the Clark family was seeing The Clark Brothers on Next Great American Band. Not being a country fan my first listen of this CD was rather disappointing. I, like another reviewer said, wanted the intensity The Clark Brothers showed on NGAB. However, the more I listened, the more I enjoyed. I started picking out the various instruments and appreciating the musicianship of each of these brothers. Alan, Aaron, Adam, Ashley, Andrew and Austin. Each one can blow you away with their amazing talent. And the vocals - reminded me of the Eagles. I wish they'd been able to continue as a band but am certainly looking forward to the release of the Sons of Sylvia's (formerly The Clark Brothers) initial CD due out in 2010. Also, their collaberation with Carrie Underwood on the song What Can I Say on her soon to be released CD entitled Play On. I predict these brothers will go far. Oh! And I am a country fan now!

I was hopeful that this would be like their performances on the Next Great American Band even though there were more of the brothers on this CD. I was wrong; much too country for my taste, but pleasant enough I listened once and gave it away to a friend.

It's almost impossible to refrain from calling the six well-scrubbed, expertly coiffed Clark brothers country's answer to the Backstreet Boys or 'N Sync. But in fact, this type of tight harmonizing over songs celebrating love, heartbreak, and self-sufficiency has been a country staple since the Clarks -- who range in age from 16 to 23 -- were in diapers, if not before. Credit co-producers Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore with keeping the pop flourishes to a minimum and instead kindling the soundscape on Meanwhile Back at the Ranch with earthy Dobros, fiddles, guitars, and drums. And though the Clarks are here to entertain, their songs are tough-minded enough to bear repeated listens. The swinging "Going Away" proclaims the singer's intent to hit the road for some self-discovery before life leaves him behind. On the soaring ballad "It'll Always Be You," a rich affirmation of a man's enduring love for his significant other, the Clarks reveal a lot of heart, expressing feelings that many men leave unspoken. The feisty title song, fueled by spitfire guitars, celebrates quiet time away from the rat race. Taking vocal cues from Chris Hillman and the Desert Rose Band, the Clark Family Experience begs you look beyond their carefully wrought façade and give their music a fair hearing -- an investment that'll pay off in spades.
-- David McGee

Having watched and rooted for the singing trio of "The Clark Brothers" on The Next Great American Band, I was hopeful that this CD would be a suitable substitute until their long-awaited album is finished and released. I couldn't have been more wrong. As with many acts that are thrust into the limelight by means of a hit single or a tv contest, this album is so overproduced as to make the sound virtually indistinguishable from any other country band out there. I am reminded of the debut albums of many of the winners of American Idol and what a disappointment they are for their overproduction. In this case, if you're looking for The Clark Brothers, keep waiting, because you won't find their excellent harmonies, amazing bluegrass licks and the simplicity of sheer talent here.

Got this album (and the Sons of Sylvia album) together for my husband for Christmas. I never thought I'd enjoy a country/bluegrass-style album such as this, but was drawn to this group after seeing them on TV a couple of years ago. Well worth the money, and does a better job of capturing the essence of this talented bunch than their newer album

The talent on The Clark brothers is really intense and so is their energy. I think they will be around for a long time as they find their bands true voice. A great discovery on America's next best band! Voice Lessons To Go v.1-4 The Complete Set