Customer Reviews

Jubilee Dive

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know how many people will pick this up who were not already familiar with Slobberbone. Accordingly, the majority of listeners/reviewers are going to compare this to Slobberbone. Compared to Slobberbone, it REALLY sucks. Taken on its own merits, it only kinda sucks. Personally, I have reached the point where I can appreciate the simple pop tunes (e.g. Hummalong, Unhinged, Sortsighted). However, half-way thru "You Won't Forget", I thought someone had replaced my Drams CD with a Chicago CD. Skip tracks 7 and 8, and you are left with a mediocre, listenable CD, if only due to the fact that I still enjoy Brent Best's voice (no matter how overproduced). Think of the drop-off from Slobberbone's ETYTWRWWT to Slippage. The drop-off from Slippage to this album is about twice as steep.

Bottom Line: Buy this CD, and make your own decision 'cause Brent Best deserves to be a millionaire based solely on what he did with Slobberbone.

It's hard to feel sorry for Slobberbone fans who are disappointed in this disc. To me, this feels like an evolution or progression from that band to a new and very exciting sound. True, you do have to give it a few listens for it to really sink in. But I found much to love here once I gave it time. I think the songs are beautifully crafted, layers of sound and great playing tied seamlessly to lyrics that're provocative and lovely. Addictive hooks, gorgeous melodies, excellent arrangements, good production (though I wish I could get in on vinyl). I love the way the songs on this album evoke an amazing range of other artists, from Elton John to the Beatles, without ever sounding derivative.

Would we all love Neil Young as much if he had stopped creatively with "After the Goldrush"? Artists need to move on, all you Slobberbone fans should too.

The sound has evolved from Slobberbone's in-your-face rock/twang hybrid, with a poppier, more lush sound. Amazing what adding keyboards and more prominent harmonies can do. But there's no denying that Brent Best's songwriting keeps getting stronger and stronger. Old school Slobberbone fans can't get past the sound to see that their hero's chops are better than ever. Even Slippage, the last Slobberbone album, is considered inferior by some for its missing twang. But it's a logical step b/w the rawness of EYTWRWWT and this. This is different. This is great. This is not to be missed.

The cover of this CD says it all. On it, a multitude of cool rock and roll instruments and equipment are just sitting in a studio, waiting to be plugged in so they can scorch some music-starved audience somewhere in the country. The aptly named "Jubilee Dive" is a great big sprawling -- but in-control -- hodge-podge of feel-good Saturday-night rockers and mellow fare like "You Won't Forget," "When You're Tired" and the achingly beautiful "Wonderous Life." Some of this stuff sounds a little like Wilco (see Summerteeth), and some of it like the Wallflowers (see Bringing Down the Horse), but truthfully, The Drams are probably better than both those bands combined. Written by singer and guitarist Brent Best, these sonic jewels are chock-full of moving and meaningful lyrics that lend the music serious poignancy.

Best and his band mates come off as road-weary but happy to be musicians; fun-loving but also old and wise enough to know better than to fall to the perils of touring; humble but also confident in what they're doing. Despite Best's leadership role in the band, there's a definite sense of musical chemistry, probably because two other Dram members played for years in Best's previous band, Slobberbone (Jess Bar on guitar and Tony Harper on drums). Best has a strong, slightly cracked voice, and in several tunes it sounds double-tracked a la Bob Mould (formerly of Husker Du and Sugar) for enhanced effect. Outstanding background vocals also infiltrate "Jubilee Dive," and the organ and piano work is stellar throughout.

"Truth Lies Low," the opening song on the CD, contains the best aspects of The Drams in 3 minutes, 36 seconds: astute lyrics about the fake glibness of today's politicians, great piano work and an overall catchy nature. "Hummalong," the following track, has the same formidable characteristics, and you can tell right away this is the type of music that will suck you in like a good party. "Unhinged," which I first heard thanks to an included CD in an issue of Paste magazine from 2006, takes the cake for the feel-good song of the decade. Whether you're looking for a lazy barroom ditty like "Holy Moses," sprightly guitar as on "Fireflies" or down-home riffs and wailing guitar solos that make their way on several songs, this down-to-earth album is as good as it gets.

The varied songs on "Jubilee Dive" have a slight gloss to them (especially when compared to Slobberbone's work), but they also possess a live feel that makes you want to stand up and sing along. One could easily imagine these tunes being played in a large, packed, sweaty bar, which is likely the type of atmosphere they are often played in. Like a good country singer, Best is capable of evoking feelings through his words, which often linger on the life of a touring band, both the stimulating and drab moments on the road. It all culminates to "Wonderous Life," one of the most beautiful tunes you'll ever hear. All in all, give The Drams an A+ for attitude, perspective and for great music.

Man, I don't know what all the [...]is about - I like this album - I would have gave it a 4 1/2 star review if it were possible. These are freakin solid songs. So hey - "Drams" - you keep on truck'n. And all you sloberbones - be thankful these dudes are still putting out great music. In other words - DON'T HATE! And anyone who has not heard this LP - give it a listen - it deserves it. Solid! Peace - Out

I played in bands alongside these boys back in the early days in Denton. I've seen them grow and I've seen the song writing progress. I discounted this effort at first. I didn't want to lose Slobberbone. I bought the CD out of loyalty and gave it a try. Didn't fall in love with it at first, but now, a few years later, it is one of the first albums that I go to when I can't think of anything else to listen to. Once it's on, I have to finish it, from front to back. It never fails to hook me into a full listen. Nice Job, Fellas, yeehaa!

First listen - go to Des Moines, Truth Lies, Fireflies, September and Holy Moses.

I'm guilty of being one of the many Slobberbone fans loking for something that carried on that tradition. So I gave JUBILEE DRIVE two listens and shelved it. Totally wrong on my part. This record is like Slobberboe meets Sgt. Pepper. It took me throwing it in a jam box and hearing it on a job site to really HEAR what Best is up to. It's a lot BETTER than Slobberbone. Best is a real artist--which means he's way out ahead of any guy who can write in a sour review while sitting in his yellow-stained underwear :). That ain't me, but I think a few of the previous reviewers are looking down as they read this. . . Keep going, Brent!!!

BEING A SLOBBERBONE FAN AND READING EARLY REVIEWS THAT ALL THE TWANG WAS GONE AND THIS IS PURE POP SCARED ME A LITTLE.BUT ONCE YOU LET THESE AWESOME MELODIES SINK IN YOU REMEMBER WHAT A GREAT SONGWRITER BRENT BEST IS.HE HAS A WAY OF MARRYING LYRICS & MELODY LIKE NO OTHER.ALSO LOVE THE SUBTLE KEYBOARD RUNS THROUGH OUT THE DISC,NOT TO MENTION THE TASTY GUITAR WORK.I KNOW SOME DIE HARD SLOBBERBONE FANS WILL BE DISAPPOINTED BUT REALLY LISTEN TO THESE SONGS.THIS IS 67MIN OF PURE JOY

If you don't know about Slobberbone you'll probably like this CD. If you do know about Slobberbone, burry 'em in the back yard and move on to Lucero. While this CD is not as good as the Slobberbone stuff it doesn't deserve the bashing it's getting. It's obviously a new direction and not aimed at keeping Slobberbone alive. They would still be Slobberbone if that were the intent. It's still Brent writhing the songs and you can hear a hint of the old stuff on this record. The main problem is that now it's all happy and shiny. Brent decided to get his dog fixed after getting him back from the ex. Buy it used from one of the many disappointed Slobberbone fans.

As I type this review, the Drams are playing live about 2 miles from my apartment in Atlanta. Why am I not there? Well, I had planned to be. I was stoked to hear about this new band and this new record, having been a DIEHARD Slobberbone and Brent Best fan. Well, I died hard. Out of pure excitement, I ordered tickets to tonight's show prior to the record's release. After ten attempts at trying to even begin to sorta *like* this disc, I decided to stay home and eat the ticket cost. The record is clean pop rock. And I'm not mourning the loss of the fiddle and the banjo. There is none of Best's growled delivery. Little of the honest and powerful hooks that made Slobberbone great. The production is junk. Best's suddenly clean voice is buried in the music and the harmonies are flat and whiny. And the hooks are so weak they're almost non-existant. Other than that, it's superb. Suffice it to say that there's quite a bit of disappointment here.