Customer Reviews

Dog Days

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Dog Days" is of a piece with the place it was recorded. Lead singer Cary Hudson exudes the feel of Mississippi in his songs and writings, and those of you who have lived here know what I'm talking about. The images of driving around county roads drinking beer in "Blue Canoe," the summer abandon recorded in "Let's Go Running," the first radio station in Jackson, MS, celebrated in "ZZQ," the hauntingly beautiful Elvis story told in "Epitaph"--they all are of a piece with this state and the experiences of the people who live in it. This doesn't come through in lyrics alone, Hudson's very voice rings evokes the backroads and front porches of Mississippi. As Faulkner, another great writer from Oxford, wrote, "We don't claim the land; it claims us." But Blue Mountain achieves true greatness by embodying and transcending their roots at the same time. Their style will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the classic rock of the 70's, like CCR, Neil Young, and Pure Prairie League. And, as much of a fan of both of them as I am, they do this in a way Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy cannot.

Being someone who has been involved in programming music on rock and popular radio stations for the last 15 years I have heard thousands of artists and countless acts with dozens of records. But few have ever impressed me as much as the Blue Mountain debut. The album holds together well, but the real strength is in the songs - each one a unique story and all very musically different and fresh sounding. The lyrics weave a tapestry of insight into life snapshots. The music is unique yet rocking. I finally saw them live on July 4, 1998 at tiny Fitzgerald's Pub outside chicago and their live show was true to form. This is one of my favorite albums of all time, and I can assure you, I've heard them all.

Blue Mountain may be one of the best and least known of the alt-country / rock groups that emerged in the 1990s (e.g., "Uncle Tupelo"). And "Dog Days" would have to rank as their "Sgt Pepper's"--only "Dog Days" is a lot less mannered and a lot more danceable. So let's say it is their "Exile on Main Street." The focus is southern (the 3 band members hail from Mississippi / Louisiana) but the music's appeal is universal. Cary Hudson is a fine singer / songwriter and a hell of a guitar player. Listen for some Neil Young influence in his ringing fretwork. Drink a couple of beers and crank it up. If you don't get into it, check your pulse--you may be dead.

Okay, okay. Much of this could have been said about the first CD release. What does the remastered CD have to recommend? Sad to say, the original mix was pretty murky. The vocals sounded muffed. Very muffed. The new mastering is a great improvement: no strain to make out the lyrics on this one. Plus there is the usual assortment of bonus tracks, at least one of which ("My wicked, wicked ways"--which appeared on a later CD) is up to the caliber of the 14 songs on the first release.

Blue Mountain disbanded around 2000. But defying the F. Scott Fitzgerald dictum that there are no second acts in American life, the trio got together for a one-off festival which unexpectedly lead to two CDs: a re-recording of their favorite original songs ("Omnibus") and one of new material ("Midnight in MS"). Both are also highly recommended. The band is currently (2008) touring to promote these and see what develops. Don't miss this, your second chance to see a very fine band.

PS: My rating of this CD is in no way influenced by the fact that one of the songs ("Hippie Hotel") is about the destruction of a venerable Oxford MS rooming house in which I once lived.

Along with Son Volt's "Trace" and Nadine's "Downtown Saturday," this is one of the best rock albums of the 1990s and certainly one of the best alt.country albums ever released. Standout tracks include "Blue Canoe," "Soul Sister," "Eyes of a Child," "Wink" and "Let's Go Runnin'" all examples of first class rock songwriting. The rest ain't too shabby either. Fans of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd in particular should give this Mississippi band a listen. But so should any mainstream rock fan.

This one is a little obscure and relatively unknown. If you have come this far and found this CD, and it is not in your collection....pick it up today. I have been listening to this for several months, and it gets steady rotation on my car radio.

I cannot think of who to compare BM to, they are a bare bones southern rock band. No frills here, but this type of music is getting very hard to find. Great songs, catchy lyrics. Blue Canoe starts out: "Ridin round the county, drinkin from a jar....Big blue canoe up on top of the car.".....come on, it don't get any better than that. This is a big slice of fun and no thinking required. Another line: "knoggin's gettin saggy and my spirits are draggin, got to take a ride in my blue-eyed wagon." You get the idea...there is not a bad track here.

Music is a matter of personal taste, and customer ratings should all be taken in stride. If any of you out there like this style of rock, I challenge you to purchase this CD and give it a listen. I would be surprised if you did not find this CD as enjoyable as I did. Check out Carey's solo efforts as well.

If William Faulkner could have been in a rock band it surely would have been Blue Mountain. This debut release from the Oxford, Mississippi group is stellar in both song craft and presentation. If only the world would take the time to sit down on the front porch, relax and experience this record...we would all live in a better place.

I friend of mine handed me this album in high school and said, "You like that down-home stuff, so I think you'll love this." So here it is about seven years later and I'm still in love with Blue Mountain (although I'm very sad that they broke up). You can put this album on, close your eyes,and feel a nice warm Southern breeze bring a smile to your face as you sit in your rocking chair on the front porch. "Dog Days" breathes through your very soul with folky acoustic and raw electric guitars. "Mountain Girl" forces you to sway as you become a little misty, then "Let's Ride" takes you on a determined cruise downtown in search of trouble. "Dog Days" possesses a duality that's as close to real life as any album has ever come. A wonderful mix of bittersweet sadness and childhood memory, this album is a must for anyone who longs to hear something sincere. Cary Hudson and Laurie Stirratt are my down-home heroes. 'Nuff said.

i rarely by music on a whim, but i took a chance with 'dog days' and oh what a cd it is! catchy tunes, great lyrics, very soulful, it reminds me of my old hometown in the sticks, watch out because this cd will grow on you! awesome! any group that mentions 'ice chests' is fine by me...

I bought this CD on a whim because I was recommended it by Amazon after buying a lot of alternative country. You know, stuff like Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt and other stuff that only great people like. Well....ehh. It's not horrible but it's not that great either. Some songs are good, some are not as good. That's pretty much how it goes down.

I've been listening to this for years and am really glad to see it remastered. I've been waiting and checking. The old copy I have has been played to death. This is great straight through. The best alt country done by real southern folks. I think it makes a difference. Excellent lyrically and musically. Carrie Hudson's guitar playing is sweet, and powerful when need be. Incredible tone and taste. Lots of variety here too. I can't pick a standout song on this because they are all outstanding! Tunes that will stick in your head without being hook-laden. If you ever get a chance to see them live you are in for an unforgettable night. This album is a true classic!!! Even better with the remastering! Bonus tracks too.