Customer Reviews

Maplewood

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

 

 

Because this record sounds like everything you heard, late at night from the back seat during family road trips. Your parents were driving up front, maybe your dad had the window cracked and smoke was slipping into the night from his cigarette. This is before the divorce, before you had time to get bitter, when your little sister was sleeping next to you and Mom and Dad were humming along to America or Bread and everythig seemed okay in the world.

Except it's better than that. Because this isn't retro-nostalgia or borrowed Gram Parsons riffs. All those late nights and empty highways are in there, but this record is fresh, without a whiff of irony or a winking nostalgia.

Instead it's a summer afternoon, no place to be, the fridge full of cold beer, the coals in the grill almost ready, your buddies shooting the bull and a girl you're crazy about by your side.

It's harmony and melody and old fashioned song craft. It's the pure joy of 12 string guitars and sweet jams. It's summer and wine and first kisses and you should own it.

Well, if you are, then you've found the right album. They even say so w/ their song "Be My Friend." An album with inspired melodies from the likes of poco, america, the byrds, flying burrito brothers, the list goes on; you'll be humming the melodies at work (if you have a job that is), and smiling every time you listen. I duly and truly recommend this for anyone out there who's a fan of canyon-rock, alt-country, or anyone who yearns for the music of the past.

I have never written a review, but this record is so good that I felt compelled to do so. I based my purchase on an ad that described the music as "something you would listen to as you drive up Pacific Coast Hwy", and the cover art. I was immediately hooked by the first song and the next three were classics as well. The entire album is a cohesive, well crafted, piece of listenable pop with flavors of Southern Calfornia, 70's America (the band), and early Byrds. You don't often hear this quality of songcrafting these days. When this band takes off, remember you heard it here first.

Maplewood would have to rate as one of the most pleasant surprises, I have encountered musically in many years. Having recently discovered and loved Grant Lee (Phillips,Buffalo)Josh Rouse, Jeff Larsen, I thought I had found almost all of the worthy in this genre, (whatever it is)But I was wrong, Maplewood is simply wonderful. Parallels include CSN, Byrds, America & because of the underdog status they currently enjoy, although that doesn;t sell records, Poco, too. I don't know who these guys are but it seems there are three composers vocalists all whom play guitars and share lead vocals. Everything is tight, all in all the songs are good in the easy, country rock style. But the sound is contemporary, they are not a throwback, despite borrowing heavily from the 70's California sound. This is still day one and I am on my forth listen, running the risk of becoming overfamiliar. But track 9 Sea Hero is already a standout in what is a very even quality collection. I guess a less phychedelic Beechwood Sparks is an apt description. Lovely music, but you must excse me while I head to their website. Enjoy

This album pays hommage to bluegrass, country and folk...complex melodies, great musicians....a high quality, pleasing work.

Do something good for yourself, buy Maplewood's debut release and let the luminious strains of their retro-California country rock untangle the knots of your work day away....... Guaranteed to make you want to drive with the windows down and the radio loud.