"Stories Often Told"

---

It's hard to believe such an amazingly western sound could come out of a group from Toronto.  It's proof there are Canadian country singers who know what country music should sound like, because these "surfer boys" make really great Western music.        

Opening up with some impressive instrumental licks, their fourth album is an eclectic collection of alt-country, pure western, and mountain music, music drawn from all directions, but all of it as country as a group can get.        

I was so impressed with my first listen of this group I had to go look them up to get some more information on 'em, and I was shocked to find the four-man band (guitarist-vocalists Dallas and Travis Good, bassist Sean Dean and drummer Mike Belitsky) were Toronto based, because I could have
sworn, listening to the deep, raspy vocals on the second track, "Oak Ridges," and the third track, "The Story's Often Told," that I was hearing the voice of purely western singer Dave Insley (Trophy Husbands).  But it wasn't exact; I realized it was just a similarity to delivery, a choice of songs, and simply that same style of western music I like so well.  The Good brothers do indeed have their own sound, and wow, does it show.        

I continued to be impressed with each track as I listened further. "Stories Often Told" isn't a theme album by any means.  Combining sounds and throwing curves seems to be a pleasure to this group, and it sure is a pleasure to the listener.  Several impressive instrumental tracks appear on
the disc, the opening wow, "Lay Down Your Arms," the haunting "A No. 1," amazing "Mile Over Mecca," and the closing easy-going surf-swing number, "Monkey and Cork."        

The brothers Dallas and Travis are good vocalists, their voices shine in the unpolished rough.  And there is no doubt whatsoever that these boys are just plain GOOD.  Their mix of styles is apparently effortless; whether twanging pure country or sonic surf.  Razor-sharp, with a fierce commitment to music that drips from every note, it's clear there is monumental talent here.  Each song is laced strongly with impressive guitar work; the lyrics are quick and clever; it's actually hard to find words to explain just how plain good these guys are.        

"Alt-country" is a term being used a lot these days; that or the chestnut "Americana," no one wants to be associated with what the mainstream thinks of "country music." But this is country, however you want to refer to it - alt or retro or "No Depression" - and there's a lot of faces starting to surface, including these ones who have been around for a  while who are only just now being introduced to wider circles.  It's refreshing to find more and more of them are from places outside of Texas. Yes, there's great real country music being made not only in other states, but even in other countries.

Kathy Coleman Take Country Back January 2003