Customer Reviews

East of Yesterday

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

 

 

The Hangdogs' style is reminiscent of a slightly countryfied BoDeans or Big Back Forty. They certainly know how to handle a 3-chord progression in a catchy fashion, but they don't specialize in loud, electrifying songs. Instead, their strength lies in a very dry lyrical wit hung onto catchy guitar hooks. "Hey Janeane" (likely to be the best-known track on the CD) provides a perfect example-- a lighthearted, sardonic ode to Ms. Garofolo. But songs like "Something Left to Save" (an urban desperation track with urgent instrumentals), "Speed Rack" (a melancholy, cry-in-your-beer tune about lost love) and "They Don't Play No Country On the East Side of New York" (a fun, catchy song about some very strange musical snobbery) demonstrate that this group has a lot of range and a lot of talent. The Hangdogs are by no means a perfect group-- their melodies tend to be workmanlike and the witty lyrics are sometimes too clever by half, but their CD stands up extremely well to repeated listenings, which means they're onto something good. At this rate, their next disc schould be great, and in the meantime, they're well worth the price of admission if you like roots rock.

Great country/blues/rock album. You'll be scratching your head as to how a bunch on NYC guys can sound like the deep south. Check them out in concert if they come to your town.

Strong stuff. Honest roots country. It's a shame pop stars like Shania Twain and Brian White can sell 10 million albums, and the 'Dogs can't even get a major label!!!

This the second Hangdogs album I have been able to find and I ended up paying a hefty sum for it, especially since it was used. However, since this is one of the greatest bands ever, I did it. Now, I have to admit, that I do like "Beware of the Dog" better. Beware of the Dog is much more rock'n'roll and honky tonk. This album is definitely more country alternative. However, the brilliant lyrics just make it so beyond your standard alternative country fare. If you want a good "sippin'" album, this is it. If you want a good "chuggin'" album, seek "Beware of the Dog."

The Hangdogs will rock your world.

I was lucky enough to hear an advance copy of the Hangdogs "East of Yesterday," which is an improved version of their indie record from 1998. What a great record, with a nice mix of well-produced and beautifully written rock, alternative country, and twang-core songs.

This is a a real four-piece roots rock band that rocks, from New York City, no less. If you like Lucinda Williams, Kelly Willis, Bruce Springsteen or the Bottle Rockets, you will like the Hangdogs.

Highlights for me from "East of Yesterday" include "Something Left to Save," which sounds like the Rolling Stones around the time of "Exile on Main Street," and "Hey Janeane," which is about Hangdog lead singer/songwriter Matthew "Banger" Grimm's good-natured obsession with actress Janeanne Garafalo. The new "East of Yesterday" includes a nice version of not one but two Bruce Henderson songs: "Speed Rack," and a new one, the rock-polka co-written with "Banger" Grimm, titled "Flatlands."

A real fine CD. Buy it.

The Hangdogs will rock your world.

I was lucky enough to hear an advance copy of the Hangdogs "East of Yesterday," which is an improved version of their indie record from 1998. What a great record, with a nice mix of well-produced and beautifully written rock, alternative country, and twang-core songs.

This is a a real four-piece roots rock band that rocks, from New York City, no less. If you like Lucinda Williams, Kelly Willis, Bruce Springsteen or the Bottle Rockets, you will like the Hangdogs.

Highlights for me from "East of Yesterday" include "Something Left to Save," which sounds like the Rolling Stones around the time of "Exile on Main Street," and "Hey Janeane," which is about Hangdog lead singer/songwriter Matthew "Banger" Grimm's good-natured obsession with actress Janeanne Garafalo. The new "East of Yesterday" includes a nice version of not one but two Bruce Henderson songs: "Speed Rack," and a new one, the rock-polka co-written with "Banger" Grimm, titled "Flatlands."

A real fine CD. Buy it.

The Hangdogs are one of those bands who chug along in the dank recesses of pop culture, spitting at it impotently and quietly recording some of the best songs in the marketplace. Having gained some small repute for their rave-up and often comedic live shows that lash out at the workaday week from the safety of saturday night, their record works on a more earnest vein, with a modicum of raging rockers like "Hey, Janeane" and the swingy "They Don't Play No Country on the East Side of New York," but framed with starker paintings of the underbelly of America, where there are no Hollywood endings and Hallmark Holidays are just another reason to get drunk. These are sort of musical Hopper paintings, telling sad stories without whining, drawing perspective in such an engaging, non-teen- angst way that you want to commiserate with them. If only some of Nashville's stars could do that, the town might start making country music again. In the meantime, we can count on rock & roll bands like The Hangdogs to do it better.

Rural sound from a bunch of New York City guys--who'd have thought it? The best songs on this album, especially "Nothing Left to Save," and "I'd Call to Say I Love You," are among the best alternative country songs around. The rest of the album isn't bad either. Fans of Son Volt, Wilco, The Jayhawks and the Bottle Rockets should definately enjoy it.

I was lucky enough to hear an advance copy of the Hangdogs "East of Yesterday." What a great record, with a nice mix of rock, alternative country, and twang-core.

This is a a real four-piece roots rock band that rocks, from New York City, no less. If you like Lucinda Williams, Kelly Willis, Bruce Springsteen or the Bottle Rockets, you will like the Hangdogs.

Highlights for me from "East of Yesterday" include "Something Left to Save," which sounds like the Rolling Stones around the time of "Exile on Main Street," and "Hey Janeane," which is about Hangdog lead singer Matthew "Banger" Grimm's good-natured obsession with actress Janeanne Garafalo, as well as nice version of the lovely/sad Bruce Henderson song "Speed Rack."

A real fine CD.

East of Yesterday is another brilliant album from 'The Dogs'. I don't know what it is, but these guys are compulsive listening. From their "Once More's Gone" to the driving up beat "They Don't Play Country on the East Side of New York", they demand your attention. It's very unusual to find an albumn that has a 100% 'good track' record ... but this has it all. Buy it now!