Before the Robots

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:51:55
Better Than Ezra: Tom Drummond (bass instrument); Travis Aaron McNabb, Kevin Griffin. Personnel: Kevin Griffin (vocals, guitar, piano); Mark Mullins (trombone); John Gros (Fender Rhodes piano); Travis Aaron McNabb (drums); Jason Hill, Brian Karscig (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Tim Palmer. Recording information: Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Fudge Studios, New Orleans, LA; Fudge, New Orleans, LA. Photographers: Chris Brown ; Tom Corbett; Chris George. Unknown Contributor Role: John Gros. Given the title BEFORE THE ROBOTS, one might assume that Better Than Ezra's 2005 album is a concept record with a sci-fi bent. Fear not, though, BTE is still crafting catchy pop songs; drummer Travis McNabb merely nicked the name from a bizarre dream. Here, the New Orleans trio offers 13 tunes that are a crisp mix of storytelling prowess and genre dabbling. The record includes the neo-funk of "Juicy," which finds frontman/composer Kevin Griffin taking on a Mick Jagger-circa-SOME GIRLS falsetto, and the post-modern Bonnie and Clyde tale "A Southern Thing," which finds room for a mix of loops and grungy guitar riffs. Of course, Griffin's strengths are as a raconteur, a talent he displays with a narrative inspired by the demise of country-rock legend Gram Parsons on the jangly "A Lifetime." Equally impressive is the mid-tempo, Tom Petty-like rocker "American Dream," which takes potshots at the major corporations of the world. The biggest anomaly on BEFORE THE ROBOTS is "It's Only Natural," a soulful nugget dotted with strings, subtle organ runs, and a dream-pop aura, co-written by neo-glam rockers Louis XIV.
録音 : ステレオ (Studio)