Customer Reviews

Great American Bubble Factory

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

 

 

- When Drivin n Cryin relased its prior last studio album in 1997, I remember the band playing a live show at Little Five Points in Atlanta, GA on the night of the release. A local radio station, 99X, aired the show. I listened to the show's entirety, went to bed at 11:30, and then got up at 5:30 to go and teach elementary school.
- Biographies aside, this Drivin n Cryin release reminds me of their last in that this work stirs a consciousness within its listener. The songs are relavant to both our country as a collective and the individals who make up its society. Though the band has gotten older, they made their first album "Scarred but Smarter" 25 years ago; their genuine talent and enthusiasm still prevails.
- Drivin n Cryin remains an exemplary band who possesses an acumen for diversity by intermingling Rock, Powerpop, Country, Folk, Blues, and Americana to render listeners the brilliant "Great American Bubble Factory". The CD's title track is electrified Folk blended with a nice dose of Powerpop and horns. "Don't You Know" is quirky Country with happy humanity; Tim's mandolin is crisp and perfect. "Trainwreck" is vibrant, romping Hard Rock; Mack Carter shows what a great guitarist he is. Personally, my favorite songs on the disc are "Let Me Down" and "Detroit City". The pure Americana of "This Town" which appears on Kevn's stellar "Flower and the Knife" solo CD is reworked with superior results; Dave V. Johnson's understated percussion on the song is a nice enhancement.
- Drivin n Cryin, led from its inception by Kevn Kinney and Tim Nielsen, is a band that has endured because of musical telepathy and shared vision. Dave V. Johnson is an immensely versatile drummer. Apparently, he had freedom to experiment on this CD. Both Mack and Dave have proven themselves superior additions to the band both in studio and onstage; a Drivin n Cryin show is an experience of sonic joy.
- Kevn's lyrics on this work are indicative of a man who cares about his musical and social credibility. This CD exhibits the band as a working collaborative in that the instrumentations frame Kevn's lyrics and unique voice masterfully. Thankfully, with this work, Drvin n Cryin show that they still care about making genuine music for their fans that mirrors the world as they see it. As a 20 year old, they spoke to me with songs of joy, heartbreak, truth, and conscience - "Around the Block Again", "Keeping it Close to My Heart", "With the People", "Gotta Move On", "Turn It Up, Or Turn It Off", "Whisky Soul Women" (Yes, I'm a fan.); today they still do the same. "Great American Bubble Factory" proves that Drvin n Cryin still cares and is still determined to deliver its audience honest, well-crafted music.

I've really enjoyed listening to this for the last couple of weeks. I picked up my copy at a concert they played, and the whole band even signed the cover, which was pretty cool. When I first popped it in, I was pretty doubtful, because I don't think the disc really gets going until several tracks in. Ironically enough, the band plays live the three weakest tracks on the record: I Stand Tall, Great American Bubble Factory and Detroit City. I can groove a bit beginning at tracks 3 and 4 with I See Georgia and Midwestern Blues, and then the record really gets down to business with Let Me Down. Great hook, love the main riff with the subtle distortion. I Stand Tall leaves me cold, but then we get a great little southern tune that will really get your feet tapping. The rest of the disc will not disappoint with a mix of some hard-rocking tunes and one more song that sounds right at home in any small town in the hills of northern Georgia. This last tune, which is also last on the record, has actually already appeared on a DNC album, but here it sounds fresh, new and inspired. It's good to have the boys back, and here's hoping that they can pull another one out of the sleeve a little more quickly than they did this record.

The title says it all. If you are a fan of DNC/Kevn Kinney you will likely be pleased with this effort from the band.

Love it! I'm a fan of DnC and was happy to hear they put out a new CD after 12 years. I am so glad they stayed true to their sound. Kevn sounds great, the songwriting is great, the band is tight. this CD rocks!

I never thought we'd get another DnC CD, let alone one this amazing. Thanks guys. To anyone who has never listened to DnC or it's been a long time, give this album a good listen, it will be a mainstay in your CD player. It's awesome.

As for the concept of the album, the American worker, and the plight of the American Factory, I can totally relate. A recent hobby of ours is to photograph the closed, fenced, or boarded up factories and warehouses. It really is amazing and very sad.