Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Americana as Apple Pie! Bottle Rockets Reign on Blue Sky!, October 30, 2003
Brian Hennenman, the Bottle Rockets lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter has been on the scene with this band for the past 10 years and counting. And I swear, this man is just a lyrical genius! He is so pure, so honest, truthful, and heartfelt in his words, that they can make you laugh or cry in every single song that he sings. Everybody thinks about what this man sings, but nobody ever puts it into songs (or atleast any songs that are worth hearing). This is quite possibly the best record the Bottle Rockets released to date, and it's funny to say that because I always find myself saying that after every Bottle Rockets new release!!! This band just keeps getting better and better.
The album kicks off with Lucky Break, which is probably Brian's most humerous lyrics to be put on record (it's not about nor a break-up song either). Followed by Man of Contast Anxiety, Cartoon Wisdom, and Baby's Not My Baby Tonight, Brian and Co. are just hittin' the note all the way. Brian has a few heartfelt moments through the record, especially in the song Mom & Dad. (On a side note: I remember seeing Brian Henneman perform solo a few years back at this bar in Chicago, and the last song he performed was this, Mom & Dad. He explained he lost both his Mom & Dad during the holidays the year before, and when he performed that song live in concert with just him and his guitar, at the end, there was not a dry eye in the house, not even Brian could hold back the tears. It was quite indeed one of the most powerful, heartache songs dedicated to loved ones I ever heard. I am glad he included it here, as it is still powerful to hear now, he has added some additional instruments to give the song some much needed backbone and to take away some of the chillyness as he performed it alone. Another tearjerker is Cross By The Highway. Again, just another deep lonely sad song about a cross by the highway. The lead vocals are handed off a couple of times to recent newcomer, Robert Kearns on bass. He lends his voice to I Don't Wanna Go Back and The Last Time. Both songs fit perfectly into the Bottle Rockets repitroire, both songs hit homeruns to me. Also, Govt Mule and Allman Brother fans may want to take note, that Warren Haynes (along with Michael Barberio) produced this record, and Warren perfomed slide guitar on about 5 tracks. That is all, Warren did not write or sing vocals on any of the material. The Bottle Rockets are a Pure American Rock N' Roll Band. They are a bit of country, a bit of rockabilly, but 100% pure American Rock!!!!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fickle Rocket fans are never happy, April 10, 2004
I've followed these guys for years, & I always hear their so-called die-hard fans complaining about one thing or another. When "Brand New Year" came out, they were whining. When they did a tribute to Doug Sahm, the knives were out in full force. Now? Well it seems the critics don't like the style of this disc either. My advice? Stop calling yourselves fans, and follow another band that doesn't have the balls or creativity to do anything different. As for this disc, it ranks up there with their best material. The songwriting is as strong as ever. Sure some tunes are different, but what do you expect, the same stuff over and over? It may not be "Brooklyn Side" but what is? (...)
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The bottle rockets hit a home run with this one !!!!!!!, December 25, 2003
I have every Bottle Rockets CD to date, I enjoy everyone of them.
I seen them live in Champaign Illinois in November 2003 and They
blew me away, Every song has been written from the heart and really touches home to me. Blue Sky is now my favorite Cd. I play in an alt country band and I plan to add even more Bottle Rockets songs to my set list !!! I can't say enough about Brian Henneman's strong vocals and his ability to get such a great tone from an old Pevey guitar. I noticed he had Billy Joe Shaver's autograph on his guitar and that confermed what I already knew....This guy has great taste !!!!!You can't go wrong with Shaver or the Bottle Rockets.
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