Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Something borrowed, something tried, something new, January 4, 2002
The buzz seems to be focused on the stunning, hilarious remake of Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice, but there is much more here to catch the ear. For starters, the clever "Everbody's Missing the Sun" is a modern working and partying person's lament. And the live versions of songs you might already have such as "Lament," "Maria," or "Plaid Coat" showcase the Gourds cuttin' loose (of course, these guys are the epitome of loose).Now if you have never heard the Gourds before, listen to the samples for their songs before you buy any of their CDs. Their Texas style Gonzo rock grass whatever the hell this style is might not be your thing. But I think the Gourds are America's greatest working band. They will try about anything, and their rendition of "Ziggy Stardust" zones in somewhere between tongue in cheek and serious. It's not just the fine singin', guitar, B-3 organ, fiddle, banjo, slide, drums, and percussion that make this music so potent. It's the way it all comes together, sometimes unexpectedly (like a stew). You may not like the first taste, but you will keep at it and ultimately come back for more Gourds.
|
|
|
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Killer alt.country tunes!, March 15, 2002
By A Customer
This is the best CD I've heard in years! The remake of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice" is an underground classic. It's not just hilarious: It's damned fine bluegrass music. If it wasn't for the lyrics, you'd never know that it was originally a rap song about South Central L.A., but that's what makes it interesting and gives it depth. It's not about broken hearts and the usual dreary stuff that country songs are about. Who would think that some white boys from Austin could take that song, countrify it and make it a head-bobbing, foot-stomping, singing-out-loud joy to listen to? But they did. The rest of the CD is excellent, too, but I must admit: I bought it for "Gin and Juice," and I'm very happy I did. When I give this CD to friends, they're floored. One of them told me today that he can't stop playing it over and over again.
|
|
|
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Among the most important bands in Americana today, October 9, 2003
I travelled 4 hours to see my first Gourds concert after having missed them here in Houston. Lemme tell ya, there ain't no finer live show for the lovers of classic texas country or progressive alt-country. Excepting the drummer, every one of the buggers plays at least one other instrument, and I think they play 3 apiece, but I was imbibing and dancing. Who knows. They are deliciously talented, musically tight and professional, and varied in their lyrical content. One of the songwriters is a staunch, small-town republican in the best of Texas' tradition and the other is a irreverently playful opportunist, wistful and surreal. Oh, it's good stuff. The Gin and Juice thing overshadows their talent and potential, but hey, it got them noticed. They don't have a bad album, but get dems good beeble or Cow Fish Foul or Pig first. This one save for when you've forgotten the damnable Gin and Juice and are jonesing for another fine album by the amazing and underappreciated Gourds. They're intellectuals with accordians and banjos, how much better does it get?
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
by The Gourds 
