Customer Reviews

Walk Through Walls

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4 star:		(1)
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Great songwriting and though unique in its own right the sound is reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Dwight Yoakam. This is a great album and well worth the wait since Brian's departure from the Domino Kings!

The first solo album from this former member (and co-founder) of The Domino Kings finds the singer-songwriting bassist to be a world-class country music sad-sack. Backed by members of The Morrells, Capps sings of love whose loss he hasn't quite gotten over, and isn't completely convinced that he wants to. He's a classic honky-tonk lyrical loser who effortlessly writes and sings rockabilly-tinged tunes, many in the style of Johnny Cash's early work for Sun. You can also hear Dwight Yoakam's influence in the estranged call-out "True Liar," and Dave Edmunds in the upbeat drive of "Next Time." The latter featuring stupendous guitar decorations and a blistering solo from D. Clinton Thompson.

The gospel-tinged "When We Learn" provides a brief moment of respite in which the singer imagines a life after lost-love, but the obstinacy returns on a fine rockabilly cover of Rodney Crowell's "Standing on a Rock." Crowell's lyric takes a stand, but Capps is as likely as not to find his mount crumble by the time the next 45 drops on the jukebox. And sure enough, "God Knows Why" reaches into the hereafter for an explanation of this life's troubles, sustained by a languid bassline and funeral organ and harmony vocals.

Capps often sets his forlorn thoughts to surprisingly bouncy rhythms, such as the opener, "The Bottom." Dancers two-stepping across the hardwood may find themselves surprised to be singing along with the lyric "Now I'm sure, I saw, the writing on the wall, but it's hard to read the words, from the bottom where I am." It's just that unsure combination of despair, hope, defeat and faith that makes Capps' miniature self-pep talks so intriguing. With Lou Whitney's production keeping things loose in the studio, and one of the country's most seasoned bands behind him, Capps has minted Springfield's best album of the year -- no small feat with new wax from The Morells and Domino Kings sharing shelf space. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

That is how I discribe Brian Capps' music! His CD is great! If you love Rockabilly/traditional country (Ya know the REAL stuff), I will find this a MUST in your collection. I highly recomend it. While you're at it you should check out things from his former band called The Domino Kings