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When I first heard about Drag the River, I thought it would be another interesting novelty, a side project / supergroup of country-tinged punk. I thought it would sound similar to bands like Limbeck or Legends of Rodeo, both bands that went country after playing emo/punk. Boy, was I wrong.

It’s Crazy. opens with a cover song (“Leavin’ in the Morning”) that is incredibly catchy. From there on, the first handful of songs ride the fence between subdued and energetic. But when “Beautiful and Damned” comes on, you know there’s something special about this album. “Beautiful and Damned” is a hauntingly slow number, with shades of Springsteen, that holds one of the most amazing moments on the album: Chad hitting the line “I believe in time. Time can heal your wounds, if you can’t. You’re beautiful and damned.”

Honestly, the weakest part of this album are Jon’s songs. His accent can, at times, sound fake or forced, though “Cousins” and “Me and Joe Drove Out to California” are both high points, and ”It’s Crazy” is a great way to end the album.

Chad’s songs tend to be the less straightforward ones, but it’s something him and the band are very good at. “Amazing G.” and “Dirty Lips” are great, the latter bordering on Old ‘97s-style pop. However, the weakest point on the album is one of Chad’s -- “Mr. Crews.” It sounds like any number of songs I’ve heard at open mic nights.

The most impressive part of this album is Casey Prestwood’s lead guitar. Not only is he fantastically talented at steel and lead guitars, but the parts are written so well that you almost forget they’re there. Almost. They blend into the song, complementing and bettering them, only taking center stage when absolutely necessary. Casey apparently is available now as a studio musician for just such work, and, after hearing this album, I would imagine he’s incredibly busy.

When I first got this album, I thought it was merely okay. I was worried it would just fall back into my collection, another CD I quit listening to. But it kept ending up back in my stereo. These songs are infectious. It works as background music, but it’s also an album that makes you want to get four of your friends, drive somewhere with the windows down and sing along. But, most importantly, it’s an album that you can sit down and analyze. This may be a sleeper of an album, but it’s a great one. If you like country, folk and classic rock, pick this up. It’s subtle and nuanced, but it’s also energetic and fun. It’s Crazy. is not only one of the most aptly titled CDs this year, but it may end up one of the best.



People who liked this also liked:
Against Me! - As The Eternal CowboyThe Clash - London CallingJawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge TherapyAgainst Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Tim Barry - Rivanna JunctionBouncing Souls - The Gold RecordThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartLucero - That Much Further WestRiverboat Gamblers - To the Confusion of Our Enemies



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    Posted by psykosteve on 2007-11-02 19:20:41

    This is a video I filmed last week of Chad playing Leavin' In The Morning solo.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPmUpx6hZ9Q

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-08-05 22:03:22

    You've obviously never written a country song if you don't know the intense pressure that kind of songwriting puts on you to adopt a twang.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 9:27 AM (EDT)

    fake accent?
    if your gonna fake something ya fake something that HELPS sell records.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 8:47 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Mr. Crews" is one of the best tracks on this album!

    Posted by rkl on 2006-06-24 16:09:30

    not only is this album good, they slay live. apparently theyre local to denver, as they play here about every 3 weeks.

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-06-24 10:28:03

    Well, Whiskeytown is better, but, c'mon. It's Whiskeytown. They're freaking amazing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 2:35 AM (EDT)

    Nothing special. Whiskeytown is better.

    A lot of people wouldn't even try this band out if it weren't for its members. A lot of people give it praise because of this.

    I give it a 6.5.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 12:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "The live record is the only DTR album anyone really needs to own."

    which one? well, their all pretty good.

    in Scruffy news, Futurama is going to be back. Comedy Central ordered 13 episodes.

    wyzo

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 10:01 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    saw them a few weeks back at The Red Stone Room in Iowa and for a band that I had never herd of before they caught my atention right away. Just Beatiful music

    Posted by Hulka on 2006-06-23 13:42:40

    The live record is the only DTR album anyone really needs to own.

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-06-23 13:10:37

    Yeah, they do both have amazing lyrics. Honestly, when I say his songs are some of the weakest, it's like talking about which part of a brownie sundae you like the least.
    And, yeah, this the first I've ever heard Drag The River. It's the first I'd ever seen a CD of theirs available, and I totally dig it.
    I didn't mention the bands the members came from because it has almost no bearing on DTR's sound. Most "ex-members of" bands it's worth mentioning to draw fans in, but, honestly, it'd be wrong to recommend this band to someone simply on the basis that they like All, etc... This band is 100% its own thing, and they're great.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 11:20 AM (EDT)

    this is on my to get list along with Dead To Me's new one, although I still haven't heard this yet.

    - APK

    Posted by Jesse on 2006-06-23 11:07:55

    Meh, it's all right.

    Pretty Boy Thorson and the Falling Angels slays this genre, though. I'd rather listen to them.

    New topic:

    What's the deal with everyone trying to go country these days? Like seven different lady singers from bands have tried to put out country solo efforts.

    Damn, everyone needs to chill out, throw on some Faron Young or Hank WIlliams, and groove to some REAL country. Cash and Haggard are also acceptable, as is Hank Snow, if you're really desperate.

    Posted by allbutone on 2006-06-23 10:25:06

    Snodgrass has some of the best songs on here. This is coming from someone who usually prefers chad's songs.

    Also, its awesome that they put the whole cd again on the last track so that if you by chance see the cd in a jukebox, you can play the whole cd for one play. nice.

    Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-06-23 10:09:09
    My Score:

    i've had the double live album for some time and i still don't know if i like these guys. i love most of the bands they came from.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 5:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i wonder how much the reviewer had listened to DTR prior to this release. It's a good review if this is one of his first full forays into it, I can't tell.

    Me, I'm a sucker for DTR. For the 2nd time, I missed them in Iowa, one more cruel 'had work taken off for just that day for weeks only for a million other things to go wrong'.

    So I picked up there new 7 inches, and left to go to work without seeing 'em.

    So I'm looking forward to this, the 7 inches we're very soothing to my jangled nerves.

    wyzo

    Posted by kingofsuck on 2006-06-23 03:19:34

    Chad Price (ALL)-vocals/guitar
    Jon Snodgrass (Armchair Martian)-vocals/guitar
    Spacey Casey (Hot Rod Circuit)-Steel Guitar
    Dave Barker (Pinhead Circus)-Drums
    JJ Nobody (The Nobodys)-Bass

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2006-06-23 02:28:59

    can someone please tell me who plays what in this band and from what band they previously came?

    Posted by kingofsuck on 2006-06-23 02:00:01
    My Score:

    I agree that at first this band just kind of seems like an interesting novelty but eventually becomes more than that. Not my favorite DTR release, but still damn good.

    Posted by badmouth on 2006-06-23 01:52:33

    you got to admit though Snodgrass has some amazing lyrics

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