Customer Reviews

Half Mad Moon

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lost month I saw The Damnations play at SXSW'99 in Austin. Never heard of the band before. I fell for the music after the first minute I heard them play. After the concert I rushed to a local musicstore to buy Half Mad Moon. I can't tell how often I ever since have played this great record. The two sisters have wonderfull voices and they sound even as good as the female singers of Freakwater. The energy and passion of Rob Bernard makes it all complete. Listen to 'No sign of water" and "kansas" and you know what I mean. For sure the cd will be one of my very favourites of this year, not to mention this century. He who ever tells you that The Gourds is the best band of Austin, don't believe him: The Damnations is. Buy this fantastic cd!!

Philip Brouwer

I've been listening to this CD virtually nonstop since I purchased it about 6 months ago. It refuses to grow old. The variety of styles help keep this CD fresh: "Finger the Pie" has a semi-punk feel, "Commercial Zone Blues" captures the blues aura, "Kansas" will catapult any hardcore bluegrass devotee into a jig, and "Things I Once Adored" is an energized little honky tonk number that kicks! "Catch You Alive" with its sweet vocals, minimalist lead guitar, and gentle solid rhythmn is the best tune on the CD. You can't beat the vocals. The harmonies are superb with an authentic southern feel. The guitar work is nice and gritty too! I've purchased several CDs by other artists since I purchased "Half Mad Moon", but I just keep coming back to this one. There's not one bad, or even mediocre tune on the whole CD. I can't wait for their next release!

The Damnations are among the cream of the Austin crop (no small feat). I was convinced that the first track off this album, "Unholy Train", would be a big hit in 1999. That was not to be, but it doesn't diminish the fine work shown here. The sister's singing and Bernard's banjo/guitar work are excellent as are the songwriting and production. It may take more than just the one album, but this group is destined for big things.

Saw these guys open for the "new" Meat Puppets at the Music Farm in Charleston, SC a couple years ago and bought the CD at the show. I know its long overdue review, but Half Mad Moon still finds its way to my CD player at least once or twice a month, which is a hell of a testament to its charm, infectioness and staying power. This album is a classic. No Sign Of Water is pure beauty.

This is one of those rare albums that is consistently strong throughout and has a cohesiveness that makes it truly an album rather than just a collection of songs. That said, there is tremendous variation among song styles, and the Damnations show their strengths in a number of roots-based forms. The unselfishness of the vocalists is rare and refreshing, and the lyrics are first rate. These folks are clearly steeped in the best of country, blues, old-time, folk, and other types of great music. The production is transparent and professional. There are subtle nuances going on everywhere that keep the album fresh time after time. Dig that tube hum in Black Widow. One of the classic all-time great albums on my list. If you're like me and your tastes run towards roots-rock, blues, folk, old-time, bluegrass, and alt-country, you're gonna love this album. Heck, I took the time to write this, didn't I?

I read a review of the Damnations TX somewhere. I think they were listed as someone who would sound like someone else I liked..probably Freakwater.. well I was in the store looking for something new and then I saw the Damnations CD...so it was on the list that I keep..so I bought it..I had really no idea what to expect..so you can guess that I was blown away by what I heard. It's one of those CD's that get you on the first song and then keeps on getting you. I can't seem to get it out of my CD rotation. I know it'll be one of my desert island CD's. Everyone should give it a listen, because...because you'll love it if you do. karen

The first time I listened to this album I thought this was a greatest hits collection from one of those unknown gems, that only your really cool friends know about. Come to find out just the first major release of Damnations TX? Can't wait for the next one.

A great record, it's nice to see traditional music fused into todays styles. If you like country music but are bored with today's stupid young country, give this album a try.

Such a great blending of voices in this group! And so versatile --folky at times, raucous at others, bluesy as well. And the lyrics are anything but banal --from a lament for a stolen amplifier to baying at a Half Mad Moon....
I only wish the liner notes had included lyric sheets.

Great songs. Great voices. Great playing. Like a fine record should, it gets better every time you play it.