Customer Reviews

Had a Burning

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Any of you lucky enough to hear NoahJohn's, né Carl Gustav Johns' first LP, "Tadpoles" are no doubt acquainted with his ability to take familiar country music themes (God, love, booze, murder just to name a few) and hone them into brilliantly poignant, funny and, most importantly, extremely personal statements. Using various lineups for each song, Carl created a debut album that very much had the feel of one person's work. The dread moniker "singer/songwriter" might even come to mind, God forbid. Now with "Had a Burning" NoahJohn, the BAND, has been unleashed onto the world. While still the band's undisputed leader, Carl has put together a true unit of musicians and has allowed them to take his excellent songs and give them a slightly different voice. One that is a little edgier and a little darker at the same time quite a bit more rockin' and eminently more fun. Imagine going to a kegger with the Violent Femmes and the Velvet Underground playing and you might be headed down the right road. While often lumped under the alt country label, NoahJohn's work seems to have a much broader appeal. I find it interesting that I have played this album (as well as "Tadpoles") for several self-professed country haters and seen them all fall in love, despite the lap steel and fiddles. More often it seems it's the hardcore country fans that might not quite "get it." This album is a must for anyone who appreciates excellent, rough-hewn musicianship, wonderfully intelligent lyrics that occasionally put a lump in your throat and a few hooks good enough to get you out of your seat.

I hate the term 'alt.country' - it usually sends me to my shotgun in search of slack-jawed slackers. This is NOT alt.country. What it IS, I'm less sure of. But what I do know is that it's wonderful - at times kind of Pixies-like, other times Velvet Underground with fiddles. Mostly it's NoahJohn. I hadn't heard of them either but took the risk and spent my hard earned money on the CD. Do likewise and you won't be disappointed. (And, no, I haven't slept with any members of the band.)