Customer Reviews

Let's Go Scare Al

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While mainstream country was beginning to rebound on the pop charts with the discovery of cookie-cutter superstars such as Garth Brooks and Faith Hill, bands like the Gear Daddies were pioneering indie-country. The Gear Daddies music is twangy and chock-full of small-town working-class heartaches and struggles that has made popular country music somewhat of a joke. However, in the hands of Zellar and co., these same themes rise to a level of integrity that country music hasn't seen since the old days. You get the feeling that, like Johnny Cash before them, the Daddies are telling their tales of hardship and simple joy firsthand. With each song, they paint a picture of a complete character: be it the woman who makes due with what life has given her and finds comfort in simple pleasures in "She's Happy", or the well-intentioned father in "Statue of Jesus" that just can't seem to stop repeating his mistakes. This album is nothing short of incredible. But sadly, like seemingly every other groundbreaking act to emerge in the late 80's to early 90's, Zellar and the boys were for the most part ignored by major media. Don't let that fool you. This album has just recently been reprinted after years of unavailability, and is by far the Daddies' best. So...unless you are a huge fan of GD's silly but heartwarming Zamboni song (on "Billy's Live Bait" and in the top 10 in hockey arenas) go for "Let's Go Scare Al" while you still can get it and you will not be disappointed.

A remarkable first album and certainly a fan favorite in MN, but why not anywhere else? Maybe that is the beauty of the GD and Martin Zellar. It has never made it into pop stardom. However, lyrically the album is awesome. The characters are real, melodies soothing, and music challenging. IF you like this check out MZ and the Hardways. Overall, even more refined and musically better. I recently saw them live and they played for over 3 hours.... One of the last great storytellers.

Had "Let's Go Scare Al" been released a half a decade or so later, The Gear Daddies would have got swept up in all of the "Alt-Country" hype that sprung up in the mid-1990s. As it turned out, this woefully underrated Minnestoa combo was just a few years ahead of its time. Combing rock, folk and country styles in good blend and spinning bittrsweet tales of small town life (empahsis on the "bitter"), nobody could do it like them. The best songs on "Lets Go Scare Al" include the haunting "Statue of Jesus," the observational "Heavy Metal Boyz," the catchy "Blues Mary" and the lenghty "Strength" that closes the album. In between are more songs that are just as good, especially if you like your lyrics gloomy and desperate.

Overall, The Gear Daddys were Alt-Country before Alt-Country was cool and they are definately due a revival.

Another very nice album from the Gear Daddies.
A must have if you like them

What a fantastic album from a great band. Martin Zellar sings like a heartland Neil Diamond. His lyrics capture people with serious character flaws, like the man in "Statue of Jesus" trying to figure how to tell his children he'd been in jail for stealing cigarettes, and the has-been local hero of "Don't Forget Me." There are also the hard drinkers of "Drank So Much" and "Strength", the latter song being uplifting, draining, and disturbing all at once. "Let's Go Scare Al" is a remarkable work of art.

I used to borrow Let's Go Scare Al from other people back in college (before and after the band broke up), but never owned it myself. I had all of the other Gear Dadies CD's, so it was nice to get this to complete my collection.

I first heard the Gear Daddies in 1991, shortly before they broke up...I have loved them since the first concert. Their music is unique and very catchy!

I bought this album, yes the vinyl stuff we used to listen to in the olden days, back in 1988. I never shared it with anyone because it wasn't cool to like anything that sounded like roots rock or dare I say country. However, Cut Me Off and Statue of Jesus were just too good to ignore. The hilarious Drank So Much (Just Feel Stupid) got played the most. Blues Mary still gets a lot on play on my iPod. I had to record from the vinyl version onto my computer to get it but it was worth the hassle.
The closest comparison I have is to the great band the Bottle Rockets. You will enjoy their music, just get it.

If you haven't heard The Gear Daddies they are definately worth a listen. I agree that they were ahead of their time.
I think there's something they everyone can relate to in their music which gives it that real and soulful feel.
Leader singer Martin Zellers vocals along with the different styles in each track make it an great album.
I am from their home town of Austin, Mn so I have been listening to them from the beginning.
Please give them a try if you're looking for something different. Here is the website if you'd like more info.

http://www.martinzellar.com/

The Gear Daddies bring us music that is real and sincere straight from the heart. These Minnisota boys show the insight of life and how to get bye. A truly great record.