RELIX, April 1998
Mick Skidmore
The Lonesome Brothers is a saavy trio that has been playing the clubs of
western Massachusetts for over a decade. It has now released its self-titled,
debut album (on Tar Hut). The group mixes alternative country with some
western swing and heaps of rock and roll. Throughout the disc, you can hear
the influences of The Band, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Commander Cody and NRBQ. The influence surfaces in the band's often zany lyrics ("Strictly Pavement"
and "Warm Vinyl '59"). It is the original songs and the trio's loose and
ragged approach, though, that really stand out. Highlights are the delightful
country tones of "All Around You" and the rich, melodic "Soul Thief." Also of
note are two blistering Crazy Horse-like rockers, "Red House" and "Three
Sisters." There's also a humorous "hidden" bonus cut.
No Depression, Jan/Feb 1998
Steven King
But not on'ry and mean
You can't rush greatness. After 11 years of playing together, the Lonesome
Brothers finally got around to recording an album. Their self-titled debut on
Tar Hut Records is a big ol' slab of classic rock, pop and country, all rolled
into one.
Guitarist Jim Armenti and bassist Ray Mason had been playing music in various
local bands long before Mason joined Armenti's old band for a two-year stretch
of Tuesday night gigs. Some time around 1983-84, the two started performing as
a duo. In 1986, with the addition of drummer Bob Grant, the Lonesome Brothers
were born.
Blessed with two gifted songwriters and vocalists, the Lonesome Brothers turn
musical corners with an impressive ease that can come only from years of
playing together. "I Need a Second Chance" is a song that would do Junior
Brown proud, its chorus neatly summing things up: "The open door is
closing/And I haven't learned my lesson/So I need a second chance/To make a
better first impression." Another of the disc's highlights is Armenti's "Down
By The Water", previously recorded by his old friend Cheri Knight on her 1995
album The Knitter (on which Mason played bassist). In fact, Armenti and Mason
both have been quite active outside the band over the years. Mason has
released a couple of solo albums, and Armenti plays clarinet in a klezmer
band.
When I mention to Armenti that I hear a John Fogerty influence in his stuff,
he says, "Well, I wouldn't think I'd ever want to imitate him, but yeah, a
cover band I used to be in did a few of his things." Mason is quick to throw
lots of other names into the pantheon of artists they admire. "Jim and I have
a lot of the same influences: the Beatles, Hank Williams, Brian Wilson, John
Prine, Dylan, The Bandxgod, those voices were so greatxBuffalo Springfield was
a great band. NRBQ. The list goes onx"
The album, recorded in three days at what Armenti calls "a thrown-together
studio" in producer Jim Weeks' apartment, touches on a little bit of
everything. Ace pedal steel and dobro player Doug Beaumier helps elevate the
already solid tunes to another plateau with his tasteful playing. The album's
leadoff track, "Eyes Wide Open", is a weepy, bittersweet number; by contrast,
"Three Sisters" and "Red House" rock like the dickens, Armenti's guitar adding
plenty of finesse and punch to the mix. "J. Mascis (Mr. Dinosaur Jr.) sat in
with the Lonesomes one night," Mason comments, and with barnburners like those
two songs, it's easy to understand why he'd want to share the stage.
The Boston Globe, December 4, 1997
Clea Simon
Nobody is going to mistake the Lonesome Brothers for Bob Wills, but when the
Northampton quintet lets loose in the Texas swing of "I Need a Second Chance
(To Make a Better First Impression)" it just about gets that breezy Saturday
night feel right. Partly that's because songwriter Jim Armenti tops his own
guitar and mandolin with the kind of friendly, unassuming vocals that make
listeners want to like the band. Partly, too, that's 'cause this light brand
of country pop can absorb some of the overblown stylings that might otherwise
mar tunes like "Eyes Wide Open" or "I Cry For You." But those are exceptions:
with Doug Beaumier's pedal-steel flourishes wrapped around the tunes, the puns
and double entendres can be safely navigated.
|
