Customer Reviews

Sixwire

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I heard a demo tape of Sixwire, and the song "Look at me now," I doubted that whole album could possibly be as good as that one track. But, when I got the CD, it is all GOOD! The music makes you want to dance around! Even my 8 and 17 year old like the music. It makes you laugh, jump, cry, and think about some stuff - classic country rock.

FINALLY a fresh original country band that is comprised of seriously talented artists! If you like original and organic material, with quality songwriting, performance and explosive sound, this debut album from Sixwire will blow you away! I would describe this band as being influenced by the great harmony and guitar bands like the Eagles and Poco. I usually get bored quickly, but I haven't taken this out of my player since I bought it. This album just feels good and the depth of this CD will have me hooked for a long time!

The image the band presents is pretty pop. Forget it. Sure, there is some pop influence in their music--pretty much any country music artist today has that. But the songs on this album, whether infused with pop, rock, or blues, are all country to the bone.

For a commercial-sounding band, Sixwire has gotten very little airplay. Not to worry--that doesn't mean they lack talent. Far from it! These are five of the best singer/musicians Nashville has to offer, featuring the superb vocals of Andy Childs and the smooth songwriting of Steve Mandile.

It is Mandile's songwriting and producing that shines most on this album. "Way Too Deep" and "Say it Simple" look at the joy of love, while "Look At Me Now" looks at the joy of life. "I Heard That" and "I Can't Help How I Feel" examine the downside of love. "Brave Soul" talks about the warrior within us all, while "Jack" looks at the lives everyday people lead--of course the catch-phrase is "You don't know Jack." Cliche, yes, but it works.

This album is, at one moment, rocking and harmonic, and the next it's quiet and smooth. One song's so uplifting a smile comes to your face; the next song, you're crying. "Sixwire" is an album worth buying, and Sixwire is a band worth watching. They may not be topping the charts (yet), but they're making damn good music. Buy this album and see what all the fuss is about.

I had just purchased my new iPhone when I was watching the Next Great American Band. I enjoyed Sixwire's performance so much that the first thing I searched for and downloaded onto the phone was this CD. I can honestly say every song is good, and that is pretty rare in any CD. I have probably listened to "Look at Me Now" 60 times - it cheers me up every time I hear it. On each song, the harmonies are fabulous, the lyrics are tight, and the guitar work is smooth. Andy Childs has a wonderful lead voice, and each song is entertaining. Why this wasn't a hit back when it was made is a mystery. Hopefully their performance on that television show will bring this CD to the prominence it deserves, and I will be in line to buy their next one. I recommend it, at least for download. (I can't recommend paying $50.00 - the price listed for a used CD at the time of this review - unless you are buying it from the original band members and it comes with autographs and maybe a hug. But, considering the attractiveness of those band members, a $50.00 hug would be a bargain!)

I don't know where these guys have been hiding, but they are definitly out since the "Geat American Band" They are sure to be on the map now and I will be purchasing everything they have out!! Listen to them, call your radio stations and become a supporter. You will love them. They DO NOT have the everyday sound we have all become accustomed to being spoon fed these days! Their own great sounds and their own geat looks! What else is there?

This album is incredible. Of all the albums Ive ever heard, there are more favorable songs in this album, to me than almost any other Ive ever heard and Ive many thousands. As a musician my self, I can tell you that this is a unbelievable album, outstanding musicians and I actually love 9 0f 12 songs on this album which is unheard of. I only wonder what happened to them as I havent seen or heard anything about them or from them since the release of this album. Do yourself a favor and buy this album before you cant find it anymore.
PS - Where are these guys??

"Sixwire" is the self-titled debut CD for this talented group of musicians and singers. I purchased the CD during the first week it was released and I was quite impressed. This is a great album!

Sixwire is fronted by 3 guitarist-singers, Andy Childs, Steve Mandile, and Robb Houston... and anchored by the rhythm section of John Howard on bass and Chuck Tilley on drums.

I love the fact that Sixwire has written, performed, and produced their own album. Steve Mandile did an excellent job on his first production for a major label. The sound is very fresh and different from the usual country releases, since it's not all the same studio musicians as one normally hears.

The band members have written or co-written every song on the CD as well. Steve Mandile had a hand in writing all 11 songs and Andy Childs wrote on 6, including "Brave Soul" which was a collaboration by the whole band. It's a very impressive group of songs, with hit potential.

The sound is quite impressive, with Andy Child's distinctive voice on lead vocals. Harmonies by Steve Mandile and Robb Houston are not just backing vocals, but up front in the mix, so that each singer is heard. I love tight harmonies... and these are extra special. The guitar work is impressive and John Howard on bass and Chuck Tilley on drums are right in the pocket.

The arrangements and musicianship are wonderful! The upbeat songs are very aggressive and there's a lot of energy. You can almost feel how much fun Sixwire was having doing the album. If you listen closely, you can hear all of the little things that make these mixes so memorable.

Picking a single favorite would be impossible, but one of mine is "Saving Grace". I think it's the minor key and the emotional impact of the lyrics and Andy's delivery on lead vocals. Robb's and Steve's tight harmonies are icing on the cake. And the music is a perfect complementary blend of guitar, steel, bass, percussion, etc. This song gives me goosebumps. Awesome!

Another favorite is "I Heard That". The concept kind of caught me off guard the first time I heard it, and the surprise lasts as the song progresses. It's very upbeat, catchy, and a real winner, in my opinion.

Other favorites include: "Way Too Deep", "Look At Me Now", "Say It Simple", "Brave Soul", and "Jack". "Jack" is another one that is a surprise. And "Brave Soul" is almost an epic.

Another plus to "Sixwire" is that it's an enhanced CD. The addition of video in the studio, including the song "Brave Soul", and commentary by the band members, which can be played on your computer, is pretty cool. There's also wallpaper you can download to your desktop and links to Sixwire related web sites.

Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. You'll be glad you did. :-)

I'm listening to the CD (again) as I'm writing this - it's absolutely fantastic!! Great harmonies on great songs. Way Too Deep and Jack are my favorites although with the quality of all the songs, it's hard to choose one or two! Give this one a try - these guys are GOOD!

I watched this band on "The Next Great American Band" and they blew me away. I love their close harmony, they are fantastic musicians, and Andy is rock star gorgeous. All of them are for that matter. Can't wait for a CD I can afford.

I saw these guys live last night at a hockey game - not only do I want to buy everything they put out - if they were a company I'd buy stock in them, LOTS of stock! The best music I've heard in a long time is coming from Sixwire. These guys are true star material not just a flash in the pan, they are rising to the top and I expect them to stay there a very long time. You know how you buy an CD because one song is really good and if you're lucky there's another one or two that are also pretty good, not so with this one, EVERY song is excellent for it's own merits!