Customer Reviews

Tangled in the Pines

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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)

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.

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.

Br5-49's last album, "This is Br5-49," wasn't bad--it was just commercialized a bit (though not enough). Their latest album comes after the loss of two band members, and a songwriting spurt by bandleader Chuck Mead. The result is a rootsy, rockin', honky-tonkin' album that's guaranteed to please.

Newcomer Chris Scuggs adds his vocals to some of the songs; his voice is a perfect complement to the band (and to Mead's rugged voice). The two wrote or co-wrote all of the album's songs; from the rocker "Run a Mile" to the Hank Williams-esque "That's What I Get" and the confessional "Honky Tonkin' Lifestyle." You'll find plenty of Hank (Sr. and Jr.) in here, plus some alternative music more in the tradition of Cross Canadian Ragweed or Charlie Robison.

Not to compare Br5-49 (God, that's a pain to type!) to any other band; it's not possible. They are their own, and always have been. This new lineup may be the best; it has certainly resulted in their best album to date. "Tangled in the Pines" is a must for alt-country fans, and for those mainstream listeners who want to get a peak at where the good music REALLY is.

Having danced with a polishing makeover on 2001's "This is BR549," the band's changed their line-up, and pulled back from the more overt commercial inclinations of their former label. Which isn't to say that the previous album was without merit; producer Paul Worley helped the band let go of their retro schtick, while retaining the roots of their music - especially in their cover selection. This time out, the band pulls back in a bit more of their retro sound, and jettisons the cover material.

With Gary Bennett's exit, singer-guitarist Chuck Mead is left to provide nearly all of the band's material (together with new addition Chris Scruggs) and vocals. Almost magically, he's produced a disc full of songs that take in the band's influences without slavishly returning to the combo's jokey roots. Mead's songs call strongly on the tunes and tone of the cover material which was an earlier staple, but remain fresh and original. The vocals have an ease that absorbs the balladry and honky-tonk at the band's past, but with a vitality that's free of pretense.

Where earlier releases could sound forced, attempting to maintain the retro façade (or sanding down the corners for possible radio play), this one stays true to the band's underlying ethos. No doubt this reproduces much of the spark that fans first experienced at the band's early gigs at Robert's.

The last BR549 record didn't sound anything like this. Sure-there have been a few obvious changes, but it didn't sound as cohesive or as comfortable-and it wasn't nearly as fun. For anyone involved. So regrouped and revived BR549 is back and sounding better than ever.
Tangled in the Pines really is BR549 the way they want to sound doing it on their own terms. This musical actualization is a fully formed musical entity that might take a few listeners by surprise. That surprise might be because of the distinctive sounds of Chris Scruggs' guitars/vocals and Geoff Firebaugh's bass lines. While these two may not have the BR-tenure of Chuck Mead (guitar/vocals), Shaw Wilson (drums/vocals) and Don Herron (fiddle/steel/etc) there is no doubt upon listening to this album that this is a band-not a group of musicians playing together because it's convenient-but a group working together to create the music they want to make.
This record has more teeth, more of a bite and more of the individual members' musical personalities. This feels more like a live performance, most likely because it was recorded as such-each track being played live in studio with no excessive mixing and editing. Given the opportunity to record all original material the band stepped up and showed that they can write music that can bring memories of classic country songs ("She's Talking to Someone (She Not Talkin to Me)" could easily be the lonelier and more lovesick companion piece to "He'll Have to Go"). Not ones to bring the listener down for long-tracks such as "No Friend of Mine" have guitar licks that makes one ponder whether this is a country album at all or if maybe this is the re-birth of rock music the way it was played back when preachers were warning parents it was the 'devil's music.' BR549 is the rare musical beast able to weave multiple-and to some conflicting- musical styles into an album (or even a single song) without giving the listener the feeling that there is anything but genuine reverence to all of the themes and styles being played.
Comparisons to earlier musicians are inevitable and it's very hard to write a review of an album without drawing some kind of parallel. Despite that fact it is clear that this is not a retro-tribute album to country heroes of days gone by. This is a modern record that deals with classic themes. There's a train song ("No Train to Memphis"), traditional honky tonk themes of drinking and partying too hard and that morning after feeling that might qualify as regret ( "Way Too Late (To Go Home Early Now)" and "Honky Tonkin' Lifestyle") there's something like love and a broken heart or two and plenty of broken dreams. Like any good album there's a song for just about any mood here.

The boys of BR549 have done it again! Country Weekly magazine recently claimed that BR549 was a one hit wonder...how very wrong they are. Tangled in the Pines, the new studio CD, realeased March 9th on the Dualtone label, is everything a country music fan could want, and more. This CD is like a tour through the history of country music. It brings to mind the days of Hank, then jumps to the energy and drive of today's hottest artists. With a little bit of the chain gang blue's thrown in for good measure! This CD will keep you tapping your toes, stomping your feet, and singing out loud for hours.

When BR549 melted down in 2001 no one would have imagined they could come back with a record that is so true to everything BR has ever been about. Since getting BR on the radio is harder then finding WMD's in Iraq they've opted for making music on their terms. They recorded the songs they wrote, they produced, and they loved. It shows. The "single" 'That's What I Get' is an instant classic. With a chugging fiddle and Grady Martin bassy solo.

Even newcomer Chris Scruggs adds some of the hardest rocking songs on the album. 'Ain't Got Time' and 'No Friend of Mine' are full of youthful FU attitude. The Mead/Herron tune 'Run a Mile' for me is standout on this album. The first time I heard it live it made me want to stay in that song for hours. 'No Train to Memphis' and 'Way Too Late' are the usual rockabilly romps one would expect on a BR album done in the most unexpected ways. Although when you hear 'Way Too Late' at a show it always makes me sad that night is coming to an end.

By far the best album BR has ever done. We all miss Gary and Jay, and always will. This record gives us hope for the future of country. -RH

Listening to BR549, you can practically smell the spilt beer and thick smoke of a packed honky tonk. Over Don Herron's whining lap steel, droning fiddle, and ringing mandolin, guitarists Chuck Mead and Chris Scruggs pay homage to Merle Travis, Don Rich, Luther Perkins, Jimmy Bryant, and Roy Nichols with some of the coolest hillbilly licks you're likely to hear all year. But this isn't preservationist music: The 12 originals exude a party vibe that's as much Hamburg-era Beatles as late-'40s Hank Williams.

I'll leave the detailed song by song review to others.I just wanted to say,if you're a fan and have been disappointed with the last 2 cd's--BUY THIS ONE! There is not a dud on it. This is BR5(-)49 at it's best.Welcome back Chuck,Don and Shaw and a big welcome to Chris and Geoff.Great cd!!!