lwatkins@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Lee Watkins) (06/26/91)
The Reivers, "Pop Beloved", DB Records 153 (My copy is on CD) Another shining musical treat from the heart of Austin, Texas. These guys have been listening to a lot of interesting music in the long lull since their last album, and it has had the effect of keeping them out of the "samey"-sounding rut, which could be a problem with their style of gentle harmonizing music. The title track, "Pop Beloved", is a slow, slightly dissonant guitar/bass/drums instrumental to pretty good effect. The beautiful tunes are still there, but (as some reviews of their live show indicated) there are several new elements: a strong back-beat in many songs, more "punch" (I hear that bare, spare sound and quirky guitar bits that one associates with The Breeders/Pixies and some of the noisy guitar energy of Blake Babies), and snatches of well placed violin and accordian here and there (*very* nice). But then, how could you expect them to stay the same in a town where their fellow musicians are the likes of Poi Dog Pondering, Happy Family, and Bad Mutha Goose? This is definitely John Croslin's album: he wrote nine out of 12 songs and co-wrote another 3. Lucky for us he's not an egotist though, his voice just works much better paired in those sweet duets with Kim Longacre, and I'd be tempted to toss the album if I didn't get to hear her singing solo. Her voice has matured tremendously, and (if it's even possible) she's a more affecting singer than ever. The only cut on the album that isn't a joy is the first song, "Breathin' Easy", actually a good tune but I just can't get past John's nasally voice solo on this one--somebody ought to introduce him to the wonders of Seldane, I think the mold and cedar pollen has finally clogged him up for good. DB records are also available directly from them at 432 Moreland Ave, NE Atlanta, GA 30307 (404)521-3008 -- -o--oo---ooo----oooo-----ooooo------oooooo-------ooooooo--------oooooooo Lee Watkins, Jr. lwatkins@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu lwatkins@jhuvm.BITNET "I was an infinitely hot and dense dot." Mark Leyner "She believes in plagues, she believes in a God who's all thumbs." Exene