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Red Meat: Alameda County Line |
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Track List
* also includes 3 bonus tracks Visit CDNOW to hear song clips and make sure you stop in and check out Red Meat's official site. More helpings of Red Meat
Track List
Track List
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Caught somewhere in the Twilight Zone between Bakersfield and Modesto, between Buck Owens and the Maddox Brothers and Sister Rose, lies the music of the San Francisco based band, Red Meat. Defying the multitude of 'alt-whatever' labels reserved for today's crop of country music rebels, the music of Red Meat is best defined as pure unadulterated country of the Bakersfield honky tonk variety. That is of course, if you insist on attempting to define them at all. Your time would be better spent enjoying their offbeat, classic offerings of solid twang. Red Meat will soon have you recalling the bygone days when country music was fun. The era of George Jones, Buck Owens, telecasters, memorable lyrics and infectious melodies. But, don't mistake their music for anything even close to retro and any relegation to the ranks of the alt-country genre may come simply by virtue of fact that their songs bear an uncanny resemblance to real country music. Somehow, San Francisco, known for its non-conformity to just about everything, wound up being the birthplace of a band whose country roots are as traditional as they come, albeit with a hint of eccentric-ness. Consisting of six misplaced mid-westerners, Red Meat's managed to find their niche in country music, pulling up their roots and replanting them firmly in Bakersfield soil. Scott Young (guitar, fiddle, vocals, trombone) and Smelley Kelley (vocals) were childhood friends while growing up in Keokuk Iowa. They began singing together at the age of 13, oblivious to the fact that living a few miles away was future band mate, Jill Olsen. Scott's superb songwriting talent with its obscure flair, grounds the band musically, while Kelley's diverse talents include acting as the group's irreverent toastmaster capable of turning any audience into noise bylaw violators in no time flat. One could wonder what a nice girl like Jill Olsen's doing with a bunch of guys like this. Also an Iowa native, she more than holds her own, with her solid songwriting talents as well as playing bass, and taking her turn on lead vocals. Rounding out the band are: Michael Montalto (guitar, accordion, vocals), Max Butler (pedal steel, guitar and mandolin) and Les James (drums, vocals). The band has made a name for themselves since 1993 via the California music scene and in 1997 quickly garnered attention with their impressive debut project, Meet Red Meat which climbed to #18 on the Gavin Americana chart and produced a top 5 hit in France (Texas, Texas). The group upped the ante, when they convinced Dave Alvin, roots music pioneer, to produce their sophomore album. The result was '13', released in 1998, which also made impressive showing on the Americana charts, including the single Broken Up and Blue, penned by Jill Olsen, which reached #1 on the Panel Report's independent country single's chart. The honky tonk heart-tugger recently ended up on the soundtrack of Billy Bob Thornton's December 2001 release, 'Monster's Ball'. Dave Alvin rejoined the band for the second time on their most recent release, Alameda County Line, their third project for Ranchero Records. With ample servings of wry humor, superbly clever (without sounding corny) songwriting, a touch of western swing and whole lotta honky tonk, Red Meat serves up a country music feast fit for any long starved country music fan. Alameda County Line leads off with the foot stompin' twang of That's What I'm Here For and from there heads out on a fast paced journey across the broad landscape of country music. From the memorable mix of bluegrass and honky tonk of Memory of Your Smile, the instrumental Bakersfield drenched Buckeye, to the mighty fine two steppin' swing of Cat Fish Fry (ala Bob Wills) Red Meat never loses track of the road their on. Highlights, unquestionably, include a couple of tawngy laments with a twist. Lolita is a humorous ode to a lost love, with a quirk. With emotion and passion the song relays the tale of a man's search for a new love who not only has to measure up to the memory of the one that came before, but must also match the name that's indelibly tattooed on her new admirer's forearm. Picking up the pace a notch, Under The Wrench humorously explores the exasperation felt as a man prepares to leave his prized possession, his beloved Dodge Dart, in the shop overnight. Riding the crest of honky tonk resurgence with a touch of tongue in cheek irreverence, Red Meat makes great music done right. with foot-stompin', authentically hip twang, near flawless delivery and whole lot of fun. Make no mistake though, coming in alongside the wave of nostalgia sweeping country music, Red Meat makes modern country music, but fortunately for country music fans, they haven't lost the classic art of songwriting and musicianship.
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Laurie Joulie Take Country Back February 2002