Customer Reviews

Shootout

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Shootout is often overlooked, which is a crime, because not only may it be the best Mother Hips album (if not quite the best than certainly right up there) it is one of my favorite albums of the nineties. There are so many great songs on this album, it really is essential listening. You have "Single Spoon" very possibly the most sneaky and innocuous song about drug addiction and longing ever written. You have the exquisite "Mother Hips", one of the most beautiful and well crafted songs they have ever done, with it's perfect imagery of the innocence and wonder of young love, and Tim's voice has never sounded better than on this song. There is "Engagement Ring" a sad and lonely song that highlights the trajedy of short-lived love and it's unforseen after-effects to perfection. Then there is the spectacular "Picture of Him", which is really one of my all-time favorite songs. I swear they channeled Brian Wilson on this song, it sounds like Wilson wrote the song for them! As well as, if not even better than Neil Young's "Expecting to Fly", this song fully captures that beautiful and ethereal Pet Sounds vibe that so many great artists have been chasing for so long. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this OUT OF PRINT classic while you can still find one.

On their third album, the Mother Hips released what I consider to be their finest effort. They are beginning to embrace that California country sound a bit more than the previous two releases. Full of songs about love gone wrong, drug addiction and longing, Shoot Out is one of those records that continues to amaze your ears and brain after years and years of repeated spins. It's part Gram Parsons, Black Crowes and CCR with a little of the Everly Brothers mixed in. If you don't have this record... buy it. Seriously. You won't be let down.