Customer Reviews

Introducing the Denver Gentlemen

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The so called "Denver Sound" finds its genesis in the aptly named Denver Gentlemen. Those unfamiliar with this rather obscure family of music may find the closest points of reference to be Nick Cave's gothic sensibilities and The Band's country rock fusions. In many ways however, this debut (released six years after the 1995 recording) does for country folk music what Captain Beefheart did for the blues with Safe As Milk. They twist genre conventions playfully, almost instinctively yet manage to straddle the line between the raw and the delicate.

Compared to the groups that would follow (16 Horsepower, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, etc.) The Denver Gentleman are almost baroque and the sound is more studied and inclusive. Adventurous listeners should find a good deal to chew on here.

OK. So I am way outside the Denver circuit and supremely unlikely to catch any live performances; as about unlikely as any Denver group would be to tour Alice Springs in Central Australia. But I am hooked on David Eugene Edward's purchase on the planet. Unsure of what contribution he made to this mid 90s phenomenon, I approached with caution, knowing that reviews citing The Band require due circumspection. I also get a laugh out of Slim Cessna's peculiarly dry religious references. Is this serious mid-west mockery? Whatever, Edwards sounds like a somewhat demented Believer; not sure about what in, but the music is believable, and he has, as it is sad,'found his voice'. Whoever is singing here(is it an adolescent Edwards?) with the Gentlemen does not. It sounds like David Surkamp(Pavlov's Dog) not quite attuned to a dadaist, Pere Ubu, but all a few notches below the achievements of any of these citations. Liked track four. But way short of requiring a revisit.

its been along time since ive heard music that leaves me in awe. these guys have really put together a sound that is so natural, one just takes to it. ive spent most of my free time with music, always looking for something more solid and intense. this band breaks many areas of earth so deep, i do belief this is the final equation. along with other bands such as slim cessnas auto club, devotchka, those poor [...], hank iii among others. these bands have put the upright bass back in the number one slot, from there its authentic to the core banjo, steel, horns, voices and tones we havent heard as a public in the states for decades. i also love that this music is not overproduced, these bands play real music in real sessions, i look foward to a day when more bands play music on traditional instruments, so they all they have to do is get together and play, and be great no matter where they are, sound good on any recording device, it may happen, these guys did it

I wasn't sure what to make of this when I came upon it by accident. I was sort of reeled in by Vulture Girl, but in a watching a train wreck sort of way. I would have to say that my first impression after hearing the rest of the work was one of abject horror.... But, for some reason I kept coming back to it, listening again and again, knowing how bad it was, but not being able to stop myself. At first it sort of fell into the, "so bad it's good" category, where you could play it for the simple novelty of it, but it would be a bold face lie if I said this was all there was to it.

It grows on you, but not necessarily in a good way, more like a helpless fall into a paranoid state brought upon by a serious drug addiction of one kind or another. You don't want to be caught listening to it, but you can't stop yourself from playing it, even in situations where you may be caught by friends of loved ones. Maybe that risk of public humiliation makes it what it is in that regard.

The Denver Gentlemen is the archetypal band of the "Denver Sound" Having died and ressurected over the past 10+ years, it is known for its spooky, gothic, alt.country sound which spawned other notable groups as 16 horsepower, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Munly and the Harlots, Tarentella, Wovenhand etc. The band's leader / founder Jeffry-Paul is an eccentric musical genius. Highly recommended. Google them for more info, check out alternative tentacles records and if possible, see them alive in the Denver area when they play (infrequently).