Normal for Bridgwater

Peter Bruntnell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Slow River Records
• ASIN: B0000257Y8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,458 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Singer Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What in the name of baseball and apple pie does a South London lad know about Americana music anyway? Apparently plenty, as is evident on the third album by singer-songwriter Peter Bruntnell, who could offer a hint or two to American artists looking to make a splash in the same, seemingly watered-down genre. Recorded in Boston, Normal for Bridgwater (named in reference to a doctor's description of the healthier folks in the cider-drinking capital of Bridgwater, Somerset, UK) thrives on crystal-clear production and Bruntnell's fluent vocal delivery. A song such as "Lay Down This Curse" could be Paul Westerberg fronting Son Volt, whose Dave Boquist helps out on this record. Bruntnell's intimate songwriting of romance and loneliness sews the record's dozen songs together, and he plays his country straight on the banjo-fueled "How You Are," the pedal-steel feel of "NFB," and the honky-rockin' "Jurassic Parking Lot." But it's the pop-oriented selections that truly shimmer: allusions to Big Star's Sister Lovers ("Played Out"), the Scud Mountain Boys at 78 rpm speed ("Handful of Stars"), and soaring choruses à la Teenage Fanclub ("By the Time My Head Gets to Phoenix"). --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Album of 1999, July 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Normal for Bridgwater (Audio CD)

I never thought that an Englishman could come up with an alt/country album stronger than any American band could even dream of. The songs on Peter Bruntnell's album are so heartfelt and comfortable it feels like your granpa is singing them to you. Beautiful melodies float above the most perfectly strummed progressions. Ive long been a fan of Wilco, Son Volt, The Jayhawks, and Uncle Tupelo, but it looks like i have a new favorite band. If your looking for quality, there is absolutley no need to look any further

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Altenative twang that rocks!, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Normal for Bridgwater (Audio CD)

peter bruntnell, backed by memebers of son volt and his own band kicks out a thick brew of pedal steel drenched rock.This cd has the type of sound I look for-no synth crap-just a group of musicians building momentum with each new cut.Good songs,good voice-great concoction!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The British Are Coming!, June 11, 2001

By 

steve (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Normal for Bridgwater (Audio CD)

This is an amazing collection of songs from one of the UK's finest yet most under rated songwriters. Anyone who thinks that Americana is the sole preserve of, well, Americans should check this gem out. It's a classic slice of country infused rock and deserves a place in every record collection in the land. Superb