Customer Reviews

Under the Sun (Dig)

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

 

 

A couple years in the making, this album is worth the wait. Former
Violent Femmes frontman/songwriter Gordon Gano teams up with Brendan
Ryan and Billy Ryan from The Bogmen to mesh their styles together
creating a collaborative album that, to put it simply, works. Each of
the tracks are thoughtful masterminds of melodies, instrumentation and
lyrics that manage to be catchy and current with just enough
reminiscent familiarity as well. Songs like "Man in the Sand", "Wave
and Water" and "Hired Gun" have an edgy but mainstream sound, "Oholah
Oholibah", "Way That I Creep" and "Red" show off their alternative
sides while solicitous songs like "Under the Sun" and "Still Suddenly
Here" bring out anticipation of what's next. A must have for fans of
alternative, folk or classic rock. Hopefully there will be more in
store for this synergistic team.

Gordon Gano has finally realeased a new album! The last one was well over 7 years ago. What can be said? If you like the Violent Femmes I am sure that you will like this album. There are a few songs; Red, Man in the Sand, Way that I Creep, that reminds you of classic Femmes. Others are truly original and stand out as what Gordon Gano is doing now with his own expression and subject matter.
Throughout, as almost since the beginning of his musical career, are religious themes that are allegorical which are taken from the Bible and others which are more subtle spiritual messages within the songs themselves. Take the subject matter as you like, but truth is definitely spoken here in many ways. Sometimes it seems that people think Gordon is making fun of religion or spirituality in these type of songs over the years but he is really serious under the guise of humor. He even put out a gospel album many years ago so you can tell that religion and spirituality are a large part of his life. Just check out the spoken word at the end of the album.
This album is also such a collaborative album with the Ryan brothers and many others. Everyone is in top notch form and the songs just flow so beautifully.
Thirdly, Ganos voice is still there in all its whiny, sardonic, sarcastic beauty. Just an excellent album overall and I would recomend it to anyone interested in great musical expression that stands out from most of the music that is produced today simply for money and fame.

Gordon Gano hasn't lost his touch for sound craft and when joining forces with the Ryan brothers, sheer energy coupled with inspired musicianship is the end result. UNDER THE SUN offers tight vibrant ensemble playing with lyrics that stray from the obvious. The music sucks me in and keeps me interested. I enjoy the rhythmically charged songs like "Wave and Water", the ghostly instrumentals in "Here as a Guest", as well as, the abundance of playful funny pulsing arrangements in "The Way that I Creep", "Oholah Oholieih", and the story of "Red". "Under the Sun" is one of my all time favorite songs. This moving composition is beautifully orchestrated. Gano's voice is rich and textured and the momentum of the song explodes with melodic hooks and an unforgettable bridge. Overall the CD incorporates unique, exuberant charm, spirited playing and lyrical as well as vocal finesse.
I highly recommend this CD!!

As a long time fan of anything this man does. I was so happy to hear this poetic gem. It's catchy, rocking, thoughtful and has enough tongue twisters in the lyrics to have you discovering something new each time you listen. Gordon is such a poet and combined with his and the Ryan brothers musical talents, they have come up with a really amazing album. More, more, more, please.

Which is odd, because I love the Violent Femmes and I'd say this album is more VF-like than his previous. Maybe it will grow on me with repeated listens. There's no one song that particularly stands out favorably, and a couple I can think of that I prefer to skip.