Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers Win the Fight by Knockout with "Glassjaw Boxer", July 10, 2007
The musical journey for Stephen Kellogg has been a long and winding road. With his latest effort "Glassjaw Boxer," Kellogg shows his maturation as a songwriter through his most personal lyrics to date. Backed by the ultra talented and energetic Sixers, "Glassjaw Boxer" is a fresh blend of Kellogg's emotional lyrics and the Sixers' harmonic backing vocals, mixed in with rich musical arrangements. Building from their previous self-titled release, Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers make an even stronger claim to being a relatively unknown band that deserves both attention and respect. The album plays out as such:
1. Sweet Sophia- 9/10
A piano driven rock song that starts off the album in true Kellogg form.
2. Glassjaw Boxer- 7/10
An uptempo and hopeful song about not giving up in the face of adversity.
3. Cabin in the Woods- 8/10
Another uptempo tune that showcases great backing vocals and an emotional chorus.
4. 4th of July- 9/10
One of the best songs on the cd. A beautiful ballad, almost written in the form of a diary entry.
5. Sweetest Goodbye- 9/10
Piano driven song with beautiful lyrics and a great melody.
6. In Front of the World- 8/10
A softer song that has become a staple at Kellogg's amazing live shows.
7. Milwaukee- 8/10
Another piano driven tune that picks up the pace with strong melodies.
8. Father's Day- 8/10
An emotional ballad in which Kellogg is at his best, both lyrically and melodically.
9. Hearts In Pain- 10/10
The best song on the album in my opinion. This song starts out with a touching piano solo before giving way to Kellogg and his amazing lyrics about a broken marriage. "What would you say if I told you so true, that I love you more now that our marriage is through." This song alone is enough of a reason to purchase this album.
10. Why Are You Talking To Me?- 7/10
While not one of the best songs on the album, this uptempo song helps balance out all of the ballads preceeding it.
11. Big Easy- 9/10
A great way to close off the album. Featuring vocals from both Kellogg and drummer Brian "Boots" Factor, this song epitomizes what Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers represent, a band that truly enjoys their profession. The close bond that these artists have formed is evident, both on their albums and at their highly entertaining live shows.
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers may currently be the best band that no one has heard of. But whether or not they ever become as big as they should be, one thing is for certain, these boys will continue to do what they do best, and that is to entertain and spread the passion they each have for music, something that you don't see as often as you should because of the corporate stranglehold on the music industry. So keep up the good fight Sixers, I have you ahead on my card.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Knockout Punch, August 23, 2007
Every once in a while, you run acrost an album that is head and shoulders above others, one that just stands out as a "Wow" album, an album invested with care, talent, that certain indescribable "something".
Out of all the albums on my Ipod, and in my extensive collection, I can think of maybe a half dozen that fit this criteria....Dark at the End of the Tunnel, Mad Season, Eye to the Telescope, And Now It's Come to This. Showcase albums, which you hope and pray are just a harbinger of delicious musical things that may come later.
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers' Glassjaw Boxer is such an album.
This is one of the most personal albums I've ever heard. The music is tuneful, the lyrics are intelligent and heartfelt, and the whole combination is just addictive.
Musically, the song order is perfect. One amazing song flows into another. But each song tells a unique story, and in a way, the layout is a relief, because I feel like I "know" SK very well after working my way through the entire album.
This will be a bad comparison, but it's like reading a book with a very happy ending in the first chapter, that the rest of the book eventually reaches after a number of trials. Only this isn't a sad book, and it's certainly not a sad album.
The first cut is Sweet Sophia, which is a gorgeous song about someone who is loved very much. And I'm glad it's first, because I know right away that whatever follows afterwards, ultimately it resulted in this love. (I cheated and looked at the liner notes, with it's dedication to Sophia.)
Glassjaw Boxer is a sharp smack at critics, and a smartly written analogy of life on the road with the band.
In some ways, as in Cabin in the Woods, but particularly on 4th of July, I feel like I'm getting an embarrassing peepshow into someone's heart and soul, but it's OK, because he seems to want to share. Remember, he's past that (witness Sweet Sophia). And regardless, it's a fabulous song. You will be singing and whistling this song long after you've put the Ipod on the charger.
There is no bad song on this album. Every time I listen to it, I greet each song as a friend, and there is no temptation to fast forward and skip any songs.
There's a taste of everything in SK6ERS music, country, pop, rock, some very acoustic stuff, some not. Blend it up, and you get something out of the mainstream (although this album ought to send them there, if life were fair, which it's not, as these songs constantly remind us).
Stephen has a unique voice, both singingwise and lyrically, the band is talented (and very engaging live!!!!), the album is beautifully and professionally produced.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy Listening, October 18, 2007
Glassjaw Boxer, Stephen Kellogg's latest CD, appeals to me (a 60+ baby boomer) because of its steady beat and thought-provoking lyrics. It is easy listening as I commute back and forth from work.
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