Tangled in the Pines

BR5-49 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dualtone Music Group
• ASIN: B0001B0UCQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,398 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

They've endured late-'90s major-label hype and taken fire for their retro self-consciousness during their days on Arista. Despite all that, BR549 has proven remarkably resilient. While two founding members have departed, the reorganized lineup mixes veterans Chuck Mead, Shaw Wilson, and Don Herron with Chris Scruggs (Earl's grandson) and bassist Geoff Firebaugh. Loose and rocking, they rely on no-nonsense originals penned by Mead and Scruggs together and separately. Despite occasional clichés ("Honky Tonkin' Lifestyle"), most numbers are refreshingly free of pretense. Genuine regret pervades the Mead-Raul Malo rocker "That's What I Get." While "Tangled in the Pines" seems a confessional on the group's past, "Movin' the Country" skewers Music Row's soullessness ("tryin' hard not to fall through the cracks and grease up that machine"). A grittier, more honest instrumental sound complements the material. The quirky tempo changes on "No Friend of Mine" succeed and Herron's aggressive steel guitar now screams more than it cries. Few Nashville acts ever succeed in reinventing themselves; it seems BR549 have beaten those odds. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars countrybillies with a gutsy roots sound, April 1, 2004

By 

J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tangled in the Pines (Audio CD)

Playing Time - 34:59 -- BR549's new "Tangled in the Pines," is the album they've always wanted to do, and they think it's their best to date. With all original material, these countrybillies with their gutsy roots sound may very well be right. The band which formed in 1993 has always blended funky guitar twang, solid rimshots on the snare drum, wailing fiddle, slapped doghouse bass, a little plucked mandolin, and robust vocals. The result is exciting musicianship and contagious energy. And the word is out that they drink (or at least plug) Pabst Blue Ribbon beer!

Despite the departure of two of BR549's past members (co-founder Gary Bennett and bassist Jay McDowell) after the release of their 2001 album, "This is BR549," the band continues with a new youthful outlook and exuberance. Chuck Mead (vocals, guitar), Don Herron (fiddle, mandolin, steel guitar), and Shaw Wilson (drums, vocals) have now teamed with new members Geoff Firebaugh (bass) and Chris Scruggs (vocals, guitar). Both Geoff and Chris were members of an informal Nashville configuration called The Hillbilly All-Stars. Firebaugh, from the Pacific Northwest, is known for his work in several Seattle and Nashville punk and rockabilly bands. I'm told that the taste for Pabst is growing in that region too. Scruggs is the grandson of both the legendary Earl Scruggs and Louisiana Hayride performer Tex Dickerson, and son of famed Nashville musician Gary Scruggs and singer/songwriter Gail Davies.

"Tangled in the Pines" strikes gold on a number of fronts. Traditionalists will immediately think of Hank (as in Williams, of course) when Mead's vocals, Herron's steel and fiddle kick in on "When I Come Home (from Honky Tonkin')." Chris Scruggs also pens an appealing story of drinking and carousing called "Honky Tonkin' Lifestyle." That's one to listen to with a cold PBR in your hand. The title cut at track five and has a joyful, playful spirit. "Run a Mile," a raucous tale of a rambling man being chased by vigilantes for something he didn't do, is the best showcase of BR549's vocal trio. They also write some truckin' country and gripping rockabilly numbers like "That's What I Get," "No Friend of Mine," "Ain't Got Time," "No Train to Memphis," and the album's closing "Way Too Late (to Go Home Early Now)."

BR549 took its moniker from Junior Samples' phone number skit on the television show, Hee Haw. From their first gigs on "the roadhouse circuit" and Nashville's Lower Broadway, they eventually built a good following and landed a recording contract with Arista Records. Albums, TV appearances, tours, festivals, and a Grammy nomination have continued to build their reputation as one of the hippest roots country bands today. Their fans are an interesting bunch of "punks, rockers, college kids and traditional country fans," and they will find considerable delight from a revitalized BR549 and "Tangled in the Pines." (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smokin' !, March 12, 2004

By 

James E. Bagley "Jim Bagley" (Sanatoga, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tangled in the Pines (Audio CD)

Losing two founding members (primary lead vocalist Gary Bennett, bass player Smilin' Jay McDowell) usually leads to a sharp musical decline for most groups, but alt-country vets BR-549 come back strong on their 5th full length album - and DualTone Records debut - Tangled In The Pines, largely thanks to new guitarist Chris Scruggs (besides being Earl's grandson, he's Gail Davies' son). Alone, with Scruggs, and with The Mavericks' Raoul Malo, co-founder Chuck Mead ably assumes major writing responsibilities on this CD of songs essentially about, in the band's eyes, trying to outrun one's demons, be they Nashville's music machine, politicians or underage girls.

"No Friend Of Mine," with its wildfire steel guitar, recalls the melody of George Jones' and Webb Pierce's "Why Baby Why" while "Run A Mile" and the suicidal title track contain downright primitive undertones. "When I Come Home" could be the son of Hank Williams' "Honky Tonkin'." Given that this fresh retro-twang nearly captures the excitement and spontaneity of BR5-49's crackling live shows, old Hank is undoubtably tapping his toes as he listens in from Hillybilly Heaven.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best record of the year!, April 11, 2004

By 

Jon Hensley (Western KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tangled in the Pines (Audio CD)

BR59 is the most interesting band in music today. They are fresh with their new band members and this new album, Tangled in the Pines, is just absolutely sweet. It's a diverse record.. you don't get just a country record, it's rocking too. Some of it sounds like Creedence, some of it sounds like Hank. How can you go wrong with that?

I recently saw these guys at the Bluegrass Inn on Broadway for the very first time and it blew me away. It was a show to remember and they performed these songs with so much energy..

I had Chuck on my radio show as a guest and a special guest DJ.. while on the program he agreed that it was the bands most diverse record and probably their best.

The album tells you a story, but it's not a concept record. It tells you about this band's journey and where they're at now (too late to go home early now). BR549 is the best band going today and this record is excellent, do yourself a favor and pick it up.