Customer Reviews

Wee Hours Revue

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

 

 

For some of us who have been fans for a good while now, it seems hard to place these timeless songs in 2006, but on really thinking about it, it IS half way through the year, and I don't know a single album that is more explosive, gentle, and soulful all at the same time than this album. Truly a thing of beauty and proof that excellence still exists in popular Rock and Roll. What is hard to believe is that the band has only got better through the record company mishap. Not only are they undoubtedly more patient people, but the band has become much tighter, with Logan evolving into a technical genius behind the drums, the gutiars becoming a solid fabric of sound behind the ever distinctive crooning of Skip, while Timshel's keys crown the entire band's sound in a way that makes this band a delight to see live, and not only rock out to on their new record. If they come to your town, do not pass up the chance to hear them! Perhaps only a few days after the release of this album is too soon to anticipate the next one, but anyone who is a fan, (and you will quickly become one if you aren't already!) will hear this, the best rock album of 2006, and know that only greatness awaits this wonderful group.

The way I would summarize this album is:
Chris Stamey is just like the rest of us - he puts his pants legs on one at a time. Except, once his pant are on, he produces(what should be) gold records.

I've been listening to local music for 14 years now, and this is by far my favorite act to come out of the triangle in that time. I still remember being excited to see a friend play with Chris Stamey and Thad Cockrell(who was already one off my favorites) three years ago, only to be blown away by the opening act. We've all loved their live shows, and Says Pop! was a nice collections of the songs we heard there. The Wee Hours Revue, however, is a brilliant remaster/remix/re-recording/re-engineer/re-whatever of those same songs. I can clearly make out Skip's vocals (I always wondered why patients were on the savings and loan and thought watching commas in the air was just plain silly)and every layer of instrumentation is audible (keyboards and guitar tracks are either added or brought up to a more appropriate level). There are a few tracks where the tinniness of the original vocals is evident (particularly Help Me if You Can).
While the relative rockers (You Don't belong to This World, I Got a Reason) are still my favorites, the ballads (Sookie and Merciful Man were not compelling on Says Pop! but shine here in my opinion) are the songs that pay off from the new
sound the most, including the quasi-bonus track (Driving at Morning is listed in the liner but not on the back of the CD case).

All-in-all a fine recording that lives up to the wonderfully crafted songs of the Matheny's et al. I look forward to the release party Thursday and hopefully don't have to wait as long for a recording of RC's other fine songs (Waiting for June,
Modern Radio). I also hope the outside world will take to this band as much as I have, so that we are able to hear RC's music for many years to come.

Finally seeing the light of day after many years in the works - everyone gets to hear the music people in NC have been raving about for several years! I don't really know what to say that hasn't been said above in the Amazon.com review. It's an amazing album full of alt-country pop songs that will have you singing along in no time, tappin' your toes. When you get a chance definitely check out a live show, you won't be sorry, but pick up the album first. It's oh so much more enjoyable when being able to belt out the lyrics.

The finest song, in my opinion, is "Winterlight," but the rock'n'roll numbers are unbelievable too, especially when played in the car with the windows down. Come home from school, work or the pub, crank up the stereo and sing into the speakers. You will love this CD.

It's been a long time since I instantly fell in love with a band, but that's what happened when I saw them play about five songs a couple of months ago. I'm not sure I am capable of describing why this album is so good, just that it is completely amazing from start to finish. It also doesn't hurt that thier live shows sound incredible and images of Skip's jumps, Jeff and Nick's sweet shirts, Timshel's adorableness, and Logan's rhythms just makes me wish I'd been at the Cat's Cradle on June 22nd. I'm so excited to have found this band.

Listen from a fair distance, and this band seems to have a lot going for it. The melodies are strong, the singing is vigorous and stirring, the band plays with drive. The opening song is a winner. One very big however: The lyrics in all but the final song ("Driving at Morning") cause almost constant cringing. The use of homely metaphors ("winter limbs like wires behind a busted tv set," "I'm feeling like a sketch of a roller coaster car with the vinyl foam and tar waiting uphill for the chain to catch") are strained and heavyhanded. Lines like "I'm looking out for a baby and I just might try to make a baby out of you" render song #6 unlistenable. In song #2, the singer delivers "the only way to win a mama's girl is with style" with the utmost conviction; too bad it is utterly inscrutable. I'm a big fan of innumerable songs with obscure lyrics that can be allusive or that bear a variety of possible meanings. This album offers primarily amateurish and affected writing that should have been sent back for a major overhaul. My advice: Keep the melodist; ditch the lyricist. If it's one and the same person . . . well, then you've got a major long-term problem!