Customer Reviews

Dragline

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember that at the time when Dragline came out, it was immediately labeled second-class grunge by many critics. This designation infuriated me since Paw didn't sound like Nirvana or Pearl Jam rip-offs to me. In fact, I thought these boys from Lawrence, Kansas were just as good as their more acclaimed contemporaries and that Dragline was one of the finest albums of the 90s. Okay, the follow-up Death to Traitors was a little soft and less inspired, but I'll put Dragline up against your favorite albums from the 90s, and I'm sure it will be every bit their equal.

What makes Dragline so great? Hard, melodic guitars and Mark Hennessey's gravelly voice and poignant lyrics. `Jessie' always makes me think of the beagle, Betsy, who was a great companion to me growing up - like `Jessie', Betsy was `a good dog' - she used to follow me and the Bishops to Terrace Grocery where she'd sit patiently under the pinball table while we played Tron and Dig Dug for hours. How can you not love a song like `Dragline' where the boy says to his dad, `Dairy Queen sounds good to me'? Mark Hennessy sounds like he or someone he knows has had some rather troubling relationships with women if `Lolita', `Veronica', or `One More Bottle' are any indication, but we are the beneficiaries of those tough times since he seems to have used them as inspiration for some great songs.

My only chance to see Paw was at a free concert in a park near Times Square in the mid-90s, but the city pulled the plug after only about 45 minutes. Paw continued to play defiantly, but the audience couldn't hear them anymore. It was great while it lasted though, and I remember Mark Hennessey ambling through the audience in a big red, white, and blue top hat before the show. Good times.

Paw is one of those bands you have mixed feelings about. You know they deserved a lot more success than they achieved, but would have been disappointed if mainstream popularity had spoiled them. The great reviews of Dragline by other people here are heartening to see. I haven't found too many other albums on Amazon to be as cherished by such a high percentage of reviewers. Buy it and there's a good chance you'll cherish it too.

I was in college back East when this record came out in the spring of '93. My roommate and I thrived on indie rock, building a record collection that would have been the envy of anyone who prides themselves in finding music that is truly their own...their own dicovery...their own taste. He brought this album home one day on a recommendation from a music store clerk, and it changed my life. A far-fetched statement I know, but read on.

While the record companies and radio stations were franticly searching for the next P Jam or Nirvana, Paw was overlooked for that very reason. These guys were truly unique...and it wasn't untill I saw them live for the first time that I realized why. It was December '93 at the old 9:30 club in D.C. After a few opening bands and about six beers, Paw walked onto the stage looking more like weatherworn lumberjacks than a rock band. Mark took the mic and ushered a simple statement, "We're Paw, we're from Kansas." As they dropped into their opening song "Dragline", whipping the crowd into a frantic swirl, it hit me like a load of firewood...this was a country rock band!

But fear not fellow rockers, this album kicks ass all over the place. The music is loose, raw, fuzzy, emotional, heavy, pounding, melodic, and complex simultaniously. Guitars are gritty and dominant, while the drums have a sharp bite to them much like the early Helmet releases. The sound of Mark's vocals have a rough edge much like Tom Waits or Mark Lannegan.

What elevates this record to iconic status is the songwritting. The lyrics grab at your heart like a crow's tallon. Listening to this album is like daydreaming...it takes me places I've never been, and makes me imagine I'm something I'm not like a truck driver or a fishermen. 'Jesse' is perhaps one of the greatest love songs ever written - and it's about a dog. 'One More Bottle' is the perfect post break-up song. 'Couln't Know' is a song of pity and admiration for a dead shark. But my favorite is easily 'Dragline', a beautiful song about a boy's steadfast admiration for his father...one that has renewed relevance after the birth of my own son.

There is so much more I could say about this record, but much of it has been said by others. This album opened my eyes to so many other great records, but that's always the case isn't it? When we all take a look at our collections, it's really just one big timeline. Everyone likes to fantasize about the "desert island" scenario - which records would you take with you if you were stranded. Well, with an ever revolving music collection that at last count totals at 1,200 plus, this record remains in my Top Ten. I have too many memories associated with this record spread over 12 years to ever let this one go. Do the math friends, that's in the top 1%.

I've worn out two copies since 1993 ... and I'm working on wearing out my current copy ... "Dragline" is a classic! The music is hard, melodic and tight, creating a new category of music -- southern-fried macho cerebral crunch-rock!!! Imagine if Page Hamilton from Helmet married country legend George Jones and their kid hung out with Charles Bukowski! That kid would be PAW!!! :) The lyrics (very intelligently) cover everything that matters to the "every-man" ... women, fishing, dogs, women, drinkin' and women (and there's even a song about hangin' out with yer old man)! I love this CD, man!!! And you will too!!!

Hands down......The best cd ever recorded. Miss this band dearly. If you have not heard it.....I am sorry....It rules!

Hi guys. I was 13 when I heard the first song from PAW, I remember it was "Couldn't know", back in '93. I'm not a guy from your country, I'm from a small country in Latin America called El Salvador, and it might sound incredible, but I knew this band, I had this album, and I can tell you that is one of the best bands I've ever heard!. I still love the music from this album, and i can tell you that this album is such a great inspiration, in musical terms ... I remember that in those times all the glamour, fame and attention was on bands like Pearl Jam or Nirvana ... But honestly ... this was a great band,(I even like it more than Pearl Jam sometimes), with a great sound, that deserved all the attention that this other bands had in their times ...

Paw was what mainstream grunge/alt rock sounded like before it sold out and died.

Dragline is like one of those special finds in the bargain bin where you know you've happened on buried treasure. One of the best albums in existence. Very well produced and very highly recommended.


Five Stars.

I, too, was in college when this came out. Loved it from the time I first listened to it, and have always been disappointed it never received much attention then or in later years. Thrilled to see it gets rave reviews from other users here.

I mention this band at least once a week-they were so special. Any fan of aggressive, passionate music with a muddy countryish twist will love this..and that's just it-how many people could love a band like this? You either love them or don't understand them. Easily (or lazily) described as being "country-grunge", Paw shines both musically and lyrically-this dude roars poetry with a southern drawl..maybe if Soundgarden and Skynyrd had a baby, and he grew up next door to Husker Du? I just wanted to join in the lovefest for these guys on here-it's awesome that others feel as strongly as I do about this record, as well as about these guys in general. One of my fav 90's albums, up there with "Angel Dust", "Dirt", "Badmotorfinger" and "Meantime", and the only album ever to contain an ode to a dog (first single "Jessie") that near brings me to tears every time I hear it. Excellent still after all these years.

Dragline defined my high school years, which happened to coincide with the 'Grunge Era. When I first heard the album, I finally heard everything put together like I felt rock should be. The music is straightforward rock. Hennessey holds nothing back when he sings, putting his soul into the lyrics, with Fitch doing the same with his guitar. Most of my friends who followed all of the music trends did not like Paw when I played it, which made me love them even more. As bands come and go, I feel little or nothing when they break up or split. But I have an empty feeling when I know that most likely my favorite band will never put out another song.

I picked this album up in the early 90s and was completely blown away by it. Over ten years later this CD is still a weekly listen and I dig it more and more every time I hear it. I am stunned that these guys didn't get the recognition they deserved while lesser talented bands were all over the radio and MTV. Here's hoping they get the itch to start playing again.