Customer Reviews

Outlaw

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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I should preface this review by saying that I have been a fan of A3 since Exile on Coldharbour Lane came out. That being said, each of their other albums was flawed in one way or another: Exile had a bunch of bizarro material between the songs, La Peste and Power in the Blood both had a certain moodiness that I didn't care for.

Outlaw is exactly what I'm looking for in an A3 album - complex rhythms, well-matched complex melodies, interesting lyrics and vocals. If you are less familiar with A3, their music is a combination between country, acid house, techno, and gospel. Each album has a different mix of these styles. This one is heavier on the techno in my opinion, but there are differences from song to song. "Johnny Cash" and "Have You Seen Bruce Richard Reynolds" are more country. "Adrenaline" is ironically mellow.

Hopefully, Amazon will have samples for this soon so that you can get some idea for yourself what this album sounds like. Best listened to with the bass turned up, these guys have a really unique sound that should be heard!

This is the second time I've written a review for an Alabama 3 disc and the problem of selling them to someone who has never heard the band still looms. This should become apparent when I tell you that they play country/blues/acid/house/gospel music.

Now, most people would assume that each song would have a distinct style encompassed by one of the above genres. That assumption would be incorrect. One of the unique things about Alabama 3 is that they manage to incorporate elements of all these styles together in every song that they create.

A perfect example is the disc's standout track "How Can I Protect You?" The music is pure house electronica, but the lyrics have the imagery and storytelling power of the best country and blues songs and this combination carries the uplifting power of gospel.

So, given that there are four other Alabama 3 discs you might pick up, is this the one to start with? I once would have told you no, that you should start with Exile on Coldharbour Lane. But I have discovered that with all of Alabama 3's discs after the first that I heard, I had a lukewarm initial reaction. However, as soon as the second listening the songs begin to reach down and anchor themselves into your bones until you can't help but smile as each new song queues up on the stereo. So start with any disc you can get, they truly are equally good.

The saying goes that there are only two constants in the world: death and taxes. I'd like to add a third constant: Alabama 3 makes kick ass albums. The only bad thing is they don't tour in the States. Come on guys, I'm dying over here!

I'm really impressed by this new disc called Outlaw. I must admit that I am a fan of Alabama 3, but Power in the Blood was not what I expected. I got really disappointed about that one, and I was thinking if they will ever recover and make a good disc like exile in coldharbour lane. So, they did it in Outlaw. It's a great combination of all they have done. The lyrics are really well written. The music is very melodic with a great mix of country, acid house that make the Dwayne's boys very special. Even the reverend has its own song. This really is a MUST for every Alabama3 fan, and also a great cd to anyone who is not familiarized with them. Oh, and by the way, Hello!! I'm Johnny Cash!

Seriously, it's getting embarrassing. This is the fourth great studio album they've put out, and everybody knows The Sopranos' theme song. That's how I have to describe this group to people, as "the guys who sing the theme song to The Sopranos." "Oh yeah, I like that," they all respond. You're telling me the lords of commercial radio couldn't squeeze a little airtime for "Ain't Goin' to Goa" between Coldplay and Bright Eyes?

Fine. But this is maybe the best thing A3 has done and would be quite an awesome gift for anybody who likes two out of three of rock, country, or gospel music. This made me want to listen to Beck's folksier stuff, if that's a useful comparison. "Have You Seen Bruce Richard Reynolds" is folk rock that stands up next to Zeppelin's best. "Gospel Train" samples a Bob Dylan song that I never liked and turns it into a weirdly soothing beast of beauty. "Keep Your Shades On" is a bluesy anthem with the random babblings that semi-define A3. I don't know what "Adrenaline" and "How Can I Protect You" are except great cross-genre pieces that you really just have to listen to. This album has no weak songs, though for some reason I have a hard time with Hello, I'm Johnny Cash, which is more traditionally country than the others. Beck might be a good comparison after all: the lyrics or melodies won't necessarily blow you away, but the overall sound is so original that it defies categorization.

I love this CD. A good place to start is the song "Up Above My Head". They have it all when it comes to great rock. They play great. They don't take themselves seriously BUT they take the music seriously. They are from Brixton (South of London) but they have an authentic sound from the depths of Alabama.

Their new DVD is a hoot. I recommend it if you already know you like this group. I wish there were more groups out there like A3.

i had a weird luck when i attended to see PRIMAL SCREAM playing in london. the openning act was a bunch of hilarious "mafia look" lads... alabama 3. IT'S ONE OF THE BEST GIGS I EVER ATTEND IN MY LIFE... to my surprise, they were better than the Scream. they were so new... that "exile" was not in the record stores. i strongly recomend to see this guys playing live... i adore their sense of humor.

I listen to everything from Country to ZZ Top to Lady GaGa - This in one very different and outstanding CD of really unusual music - Buy it with an open mind - It is great

Positively brilliant! Particularly if fusion is your thing, with heaping portions of technical precision, you will love this effort from Alabama 3.