Customer Reviews

Those Darlins

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When I hear what's passing for 'Mainstream Country Music' these days, what comes across is anything BUT it's original roots. And when the biggest female country star comes straight from the show that gave us Clay Aiken,well 'Houston..we may have a Texas-sized problem..' Thank God then for Three of the most Rocking and Spunky Women this side of Murfreesboro,Tenessee: Those Darlins!

Nikki,Jessi,and Kelley Darlin have the uncanny ability to make the listener feel they're hearing what are already the best of country standards. Young in age but ol' road weary souls,you can almost taste the beer,whisky,fill-in-the-blank straight off the cover of the album. (That's right I said "Album") This is simply because they are steeped in a 'FAM-LEE-TRUH-DITION'. The almost forgotten tradition of the ACTUAL ARTISTS writing FUN,heart-felt songs that people can relate to without feeling like they've been 'sized-up' by some focus group from some industry execs from an industry town... Families like The Carter Family and all of the Hank Williams's. On closer inspection you can also hear the influences of Wanda Jackson,Flatts and Scruggs and some Tennessee Ernie Ford. But as evidenced by the first track, 'Red Light Love', these women also know how to bridge the gap between country and Rock! And they'll also tell Charlie Louvin to his face (and have) that if he 'can't handle Crazy', to 'go ahead and leave' via the crowd-pleasing: 'Wild One'. It also occurs to this writer,that Jessi Darlin's ode to her mother,'Mama's Heart' could teach the Faith Hill's and Shania's a thing or too about true sentiment and honest feel. 'The Whole Damn Thing' will also make you think twice the next time you drive by a KFC when you can just as easily end-up in Nikki Darlin's kitchen! From the opening notes of 'Snaggle Tooth Mama' you get the best road-trip soundtrack music, perfect for a day of mayhem and adventure! And if I didn't know any better,I would say 'Glass to You' could vie for one of the best tracks that The Rolling Stones forgot to put on either Let it Bleed or Beggars Banquet. Them Darlins can be funny like that. And some advice for fans of Kelley Darlin: If you call her on the phone and drop the signal as you go under some bridge. You might as well stay there. Just listen to 'Hung Up On Me', and never-EVER lie to her..!

Those Darlins also make an easy transition to the classic pop songs of the 60s with The Crystals inluenced: "DUI or Die". That reminds me. Don't Drink, and Bike.(you'll figure it out..) These women are as versatile as they are "purty". And with some of their feet firmly planted in tradition and some other feet in Pop,Rock,and EVEN Punk, Those Darlins set the standard... For FUN!!

a lot of folks will be put off by Those Darlins; yes they are a little off key at times, the album sometimes sounds like it was recorded in a barn (very appropriate) and some of the egress/exits are strange but...this is a killer album. Punks that do country; just my style. I love the subjects of their tunes; getting drunk and eating a chicken? how mundane, how cool! I also am crazy for some of the artists that accompany them. in particular the percussionist on that same very song is fresh and unusual.

drop the dime and buy this album, I guarantee you will love at least one tune on this album to the point you will overplay it to death...I do that with song #2; Wild One.

Considering that I generally prefer rock music, I originally thought Those Darlins would be too country for me. To say the least, I was mistaken. Those Darlins are way more Joey Ramone than Dixie Chicks. They add a punk rock aesthetic to traditional country/bluegrass song structures resulting in a final product that is refreshing, exciting, and incredibly unique. Over the course of 12 tracks, Those Darlins will take you on a wild journey which includes (but is not limited to) booze, boys, and eating "whole damn" chickens. Produced by Jeff Curtain (Vampire Weekend), this album is incredibly rough around the edges - but that's what draws me to this band so much. They are essentially just three wild girls from the country who are not concerned with limiting their style or genre, but are ready to break down barriers and create something that is uniquely Those Darlins. Do yourself a favor and download this album - Those Darlins are about to take over the world.

Caught these Darlins opening for Old 97s. I thought they were a spirited, high octane, pop punk, alt country outfit with a rock'n'roll soul. Lead singer is a demented Patsy Cline with Sid Vicious underpinnings. Sexy, sassy, and a little bit blue, exactly what I want from a trio of guitar wielding women.

I feel like a teenager again listening to these girls. Thanks for the ride, ladies!

Those Darlins are creating a big buzz lately with their unique blend of rock and roots country. They're definitely not your typical polished up, autotuned country glam girls that you hear all over the radio these days. Instead, they're something drastically different: beer drinking, "Wild Ones" whose music packs quite a punch.

Those Darlins sure know how to have a great time, and you'll feel it as you're listening to the album. Some of the lyrics are downright hilarious...The Whole Damn thing is basically an ode to drunken binge eating. They connect with old country roots and standards, but they never forget to make their songs rock...Red Light Love is a good example of how the Darlins set new standards and cross genres to create something great.

Overall, it's an awesome album, and it's definitely worth buying. While their unpolished vocals and raw feel may take a little while to grow on you, you'll soon come to love this band and how different they sound from anyone else who's out right now. We are going to be hearing a lot more from these girls in the near future. Just wait- they're going places.

I saw Those Darlins open up for the Old 97's and I was completely smitten. They were just a fun band and the CD is fun as hell to play in the car over and over again

Those Darlins are not what come to mind when most people think of "country music" these days, but in my opinion, that's a GREAT thing. Sure, their vocals are a little out of tune, but that's what Those Darlins are all about. Their performances on each track are raw, honest, and real unlike all the autotuned stuff you hear these days.

All in all, this album is a ton of fun, and you can't listen to it without having a great time. The lyrics are creative and different than anything else you'll be hearing lately. It's definitely worth buying.

They bridge a gap between country and rock, and it works so well. "Wild One" pretty much sums up the band's personality and image...they're just three girls making music and having a great time while they do it.

I think it's pretty safe to say that we'll be hearing a lot more about these girls, and I can't wait to see them take off!

If you're looking for the "Next Great Thing to Come out of Nashville", keep looking. As mentioned elsewhere here, each and every song is virtually interchangeable with the other. Having seen them live, they are targeting the 20-something male, party dude. Three cute ladies, all wearing mini-skirts, singing raunchy party songs seems a sure-fire way to do so. However, the singing is mediocre at best and there is little to hang your hat on musically. A bass, two rhythm guitars and drums backed with little musical talent, playing I-IV-V chord progressions gets old fast. Unless you are a member of the target demographic, steer clear.

I listened to perhaps 200 CDs released in 2009, and this might be the worst. As other reviewers have pointed out, the singing is awful. I, however, did not find the production too bad, but I only listened to it on earphones.

People familiar with 20th century pop music might find this most similar to Brenda Lee. The difference, however, is that Brenda Lee could sing and had some good songs to sing.

"Those Darlins" consists of 1950s pop-style arrangements with country orchestration. The lyrics are like someone who has heard country music mocked, but has never heard the real stuff, might write. This is ersatz country at its most offensive. Overall, loathesome.