Customer Reviews

Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My discovery of this album came as a result of being a Them Crooked Vultures fan, which led to checking out some Foo Fighters cds, which took me to an Amazon link for this album. Well, the 30 second snipets on the sample seemed OK so I took a chance. I Cannot Quit Playing This Album. A good stereo helps alot and it's not for background music to talk over. But when you have the time to really listen to it, it has a ton of little subtle touches, drum-run here, bassline there. These guys are playin' their asses off! Taylor has figured out the art of building a song, and, coupled with many changes of direction within songs, it makes for a really FUN album to listen to. I had no idea what a fantastic drummer "T Hawk" is and former Jane's Addiction bassist, Chris Chaney, adds the perfect compliment with his lively bass lines.Don't look for alot of guitar solos from Gannon. Nonetheless , he adds some tasty guitar textures ( and an occasional short solo.) Superb engineering, intriguing lyrics (that you can actually understand!), and interesting song structures combined with excellent musicianship make for a real joy to listen to. An acquired taste, maybe, but well worth your listening effort. I believe they have a new album coming out in 2010 - can't wait!! It will be tough for them to top this underappreciated gem.

This is a great album I would highly recommend to any music lover (foo fighters or not). Taylor Hawkins really shines as lead singer of his own band and it is great to listen to his own style and voice. If you don't have this album, get it!

Excellent CD. Hands down very impressed. Go to TaylorHawkins.com and you can read about the creation of this album and you'll realize that this wasn't meant to be a huge deal. He released the entire album recording one song PER DAY in his brother's bedroom, basically throwing the album together and out into stores. Do not make this album out to be a Foo Fighters sized, epic album, it's simply Taylor's attempt at writing his own songs and releasing it to the public. As before I'm thoroughly impressed with what he's done and think considering what he put together in this album as well as what he's done for FF, he is proving himself as a songwriter.

Taylor Hawkins is outstanding on his Album. He really shows how talented he is.You'll enjoy listening to the album over and over again. It sounds alot like the Foos. But he has his own sound. Which most people will enjoy. He plays the drums while also singing. Now thats pretty Talented.

I really didn't know what to expect -- I didn't remember it getting especially great reviews when it came out -- but I'm really glad I took a chnace on this record.
This is one of those "lost" albums, like Unified Theory's debut, that failed to catch an audience. More than likely you'll find it in a pawn shop (as I did ... for both of them, as a matter of fact), but DO NOT let that dissuade you.
This is exceptional rock 'n' roll. PERFECT for long summer nights spent around a campfire with close friends. (And preferably in the northern woods of Minnesota or Wisconsin.*)
It's nonconfrontational rock, so it's great for carrying on one of those deep conversations. Best of all, it has the ability to suck everyone in because, as it's a tribute to classic rock or whatnot, it's always vaguely familiar -- even if it's your first spin.
Take a chance on this one. At least give "Louise" a shot, because you'll surely be hooked after you hear that one.

*Trust me. Everything sounds better up here.

I listen to the Foo Fighters religiously. So when I heard that Taylor Hawkins was produing his own album (an ode to classic rock) I was anxious to hear what he would record. Taylor Hawkins is a fantastic drummer and he can be heard on three Foo Fighters' albums (1999, 2002, & 2005). But aside from his drumming capability, Taylor can also sing.

He provided vocals for two Foo Fighters' tracks ("Have A Cigar" and "Cold Day In The Sun") and possibly other b-side tracks which have not been released as a-side tracks.

If I were to complain about this album, I would complain that the album is too modest. This album is a small collection of tracks and I finished the album wanting more music. The songs are not epic or life-changing- they are short, sweet, and to the point.

On a positive note, the songs are well written and well played- this album has a very "clean" sound and the intstrumentation is exceptional.

If you're a Foo Fighters fan, you should check this out. Highly recommended.

Havent heard anything like this in a long time...The musicians are top notch. The drumming sounds alot like a Queen record, or maybe even Rush. DEFINITELY a summer CD, you need this now! "Drive Me Insane" and "Louise" are my favs, the latter being the first single...Check this out!!

I first heard Louise, the first song off the album on Carson Daly's show, and was intrigued with a few things, the drummer being upfront & singing, the catchy drum beat, and the pseudo classic sounding hook. Went to their myspace account & heard running in place.IMHO this is their best song. It starts out soft ala Elliot Smith, then rocks out, then goes into a jazzy ending/denoument. It's epic-ish like Seal's Violet or a Bohemian Rhapsody. Got the cd, some are misses but most are very interesting. All in all I'm very happy this discovery. Btw, I've been a long time Foo fan but havent kept up, I didnt even know Taylor is drumming for em. Maybe I also like em a lot cos it reminds me of music I heard as a kid as I'm about same age as these guys.

Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders have done the unthinkable, released the best classic rock album of all time. Every track on the record is great, my personal favorite is "Louise," along with "Walking Away" and "Wasted Energy". Pick up this album today!

This solo project from Foo Fighters' drummer Taylor Hawkins is a fun album full of many delights, particularly for fans of 70's-era rock and roll. Taylor wears his many influences on his sleeve throughout the production, leading the listener on a fast-paced ride through classic sounds reminiscent of many of his own musical heroes and inspirations. "Running in Place", a complex piece with multiple sections (and time signatures), easily recalls the work of early Genesis and Yes. "You Drive Me Insane" features drum riffs straight out of Stewart Copeland's bag of tricks, and "It's OK Now" is an insanely hooky piece that would have been at home on any Eagles album. Even the last track, "Better You Than Me", seems to recall Wall-era Pink Floyd.

That's not to say the album is all derivative. Despite all the obvious influences the music still sounds fresh and exciting. Not every track is a winner, but Taylor shows a great deal of promise as a songwriter as well as a drummer--though here he certainly showcases his skills on the kit like I've never heard him before.

I definitely recommend this album to drumming enthusiasts and Foo-fans everywhere.