Customer Reviews

Modbilly (2 CDs)

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

 

 

I have nothing but love for Billy and the Boys. His stories on stage were a gas- and its obvious he's writing and singin' from the heart- and that makes good songs. The blend of styles...the unique harmonies, the fun, its simply Rock-a-Billy perfect. I'd put it right up there with early Beatles, Honeydrippers, Buck, and Dwight. I think long after you and I are gone- people will continue to realize just how sweet the Boxmasters work is...This is close to the only music worth listening to being created today. And if you can't handle a few lyrics that are a little 'out there' then stick to Mozart. So what if Bobby's not a Cubs fan...nobodys perfect! ...I forgive you Bobby...keep on singin' This and the first BOX are well worth the money- A+

As with their previous release (not counting the Christmas album), The Boxmasters' MODBILLY suffers from one fatal flaw: too much. Two disks is a bit much, even if the music is of the highest quality. The solution to this problem: don't listen to it all at once. There. Problem solved.

Thornton, Andrew, and Butler have crafted another fine album of Buck Owens-meets-The Beatles tunes. As with their previous release (and Thornton's four solo albums), the songs range from the witty ("That's Why Tammy Has My Car"), to the dirty ("Reasons for Livin"), to the introspective and tender ("I Never Let You Cry"). Thornton's songwriting abilities are truly astounding, as he's showed throughout his musical career, and his bandmates (Butler in particular) also have the knack (Butler's self-penned "You Crossed the Line" is an album highlight). The surprising thing here, as with the previous album, is that the originals hold their own with the covers. When it comes to Disc 2 ("Theirs"), the boys improved some; THE BOXMASTERS featured a second disc that was really one long medley. Here, they've cut the songs down so that each one stands on its own. This gives us a little more time to appreciate their interpretations of these classic songs, from tunesmiths ranging from Roger Miller to Kenny Loggins.

I recommend you buy the physical CD; it comes with a few little extras, including a poster and some "character" cards (Thornton was apparently voted "Most Likely to Pee Outside"). Still, if owning CDs isn't your thing anymore, then get this album any way you can. The Boxmasters represent the past and future of country music; they've taken old-fashioned melodies and honest lyrics and made some incredible rockabilly music. MODBILLY shrugs any sophomore blues and comes out swinging.

Ok, so let me state up front that this is not rockabilly. It is country, pure and simple - but five-star country music at that.

Every rockabilly fan - myself included - likes to listen to some fine country every now and then, and Modbilly by The Boxmasters is, I believe, an excellent choice. Great upbeat tunes, hardly any of the whining that so many (otherwise excellent) country musicians like to indulge in for some reason unknown to me, lots of excellent self-written tracks and an equal number of well-chosen covers.
(I would like to add, though, that as far as covers of "Gentle On My Mind" go, no-one comes close to the German roots band Smokestack Lightnin' - their version is the perfect fast-paced slow song, if you know what I mean.)

I must admit that I did not know about Billy Bob Thornton's musician side until about a year ago, but I sure am glad I found out.
This release will appeal to all fans of quality roots music.

Despite the fact that the Austin music crowd generally dis BBT as another spoiled movie star I really liked this release. The disc with his original work was filled with great lyrics and excellent production qualities. I loved the diversity of the tunes on the cover disc. I have not been able to find any news about the Boxmasters since their tour debackle this summer so I fear that Bill Bob's ego has once more resulted in the end to something good.

WHEN I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE BOXMASTERS I WAS AMAZED.
MY WIFE AND I SAW THEM LIVE AND THEY WERE AMAZING !
"BUD" AND HIS COHORTS ROCKED OUR TOWN'S TAVERN
TO PIECES ! SO WE MET THEM AFTER THE SHOW AND THEY
WERE VERY DOWN TO EARTH AND WE BOUGHT THEIR FIRST CD
(WHICH IS ALSO GREAT)NOW , WITH "MODBILLY" THEY ARE
IN ORBIT FOLKS . THIS CD WILL TAKE YOU THERE , JUST
BUY IT ,IT'LL MAKE YOU A FAN FOR LIFE ,AND READY TO
HEAR WHAT THEY DO NEXT ! IF YOU LIKE THE HARD STUFF,
PURE UNDILUTED COUNTRY+BRITISH INVASION(LIKE MOST
BOOMERS HAVE IN THEIR DNA) THIS IS A MUST BUY .
IT IS TRULY REMARKABLE AND I'M A SINGER/SONGWRITER
MYSELF WHO KNOWS THE GOOD STUFF .GET "MODBILLY",
YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS TOO.
RAVE ON BOXMASTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This latest from Billy Bob & co is good, but no better than their debut. Still listening (first time 'round) to the 2nd disc, but its the original stuff I pay more attention to.
The Boxmasters are a promotor's dream in some ways. But the world simply just may not be ready for them, & that's not the band's fault. They have a certain unique style & theme, much like The Travelling Wilburys had.
The lyrics Billy Bob is coming up with are already getting a bit tired (sorry Billy). And although I know it's all part of their gimmickery, I truly do prefer Billy Bob's solo stuff, where much more of the content is in serious mode.
Maybe with subsequent listens I'll grow to love this release as much as the first. Time will tell. In the meantime, for any of you out there looking for some new blood, a new artist with fair-dinkum great talent, check out Ryan Bingham. The man is the real deal! If you like Steve Earle & everything he stands for, you will not be disappointed!

Music is alright, not as good as the group's outfits though. The plus, cd has nice freebies including a poster and some extra literature.

Not only can BB act, but he can sing, too. Thanks Billy Bob for sharing your talent with fellow lovers of all kinds of music. I still enjoy watching Slingblade (among others, of course), and I know that I will be listening to Modbilly for years to come.

After hearing the first tracks on CD1 in this double set, I realized I was hearing Billy Bob Thorton and the Boxmasters in serious musical action.I truly enjoyed all of the dozen songs. Billy Bob had a hand in writing most of the very good material on this CD.


Then, I switched to the diversified dozen on CD2 and became an even bigger fan of Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters. On this disc, Billy Bob does an outstanding job of singing tunes that have been around for awhile, giving them a new approach with his self-styled talent. Really catching my attention is Billy's rendition of the classic "Gentle On My Mind" ... made famous by Glen Campbell back in 1967 ... and the Roger Miller composition, "Half A Mind", a hit by Ernest Tubb in 1958. The old Cal Smith 1972 hit, "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking", written by country music star Bill Anderson, sounds refreshingly new with Billy Bob belting it.

To me ... and many of my radio listeners ... Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters' Modbilly collection represents the "genuine" sound of enjoyable music.

Let me also mention the important fact that musician-songwriter J.D. Andrew and Billy Bob co-produced all of the 24 tracks heard here.

- Bill Mack

Billy Bob Thornton prides himself on not using synthesizers or any other method to make "artificial music." However, this album is just dull and boring.