Home Late
gwen | Toronto, Ontario | 03/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Home Late is the third release from the Minneapolis based alt-country/roots rock/americana quartet Bellwether.Each track tells a story. Soulful, hypnotizing and sometimes haunting the music draws you in from the first note and keeps you enchanted. This collection of wonderfully crafted songs was recorded in the basement of engineer Mike Wisti's home during Minnesota's frigid winter last year. It has the feel of a bunch of old friends hanging out and making music. Bellwether is comprised of the honeyed vocals of guitarist Eric Luoma, guitarist Jimmy Peterson and the rhythm section of bassist Phil Tippin and drummer Mick Wirtz. This time out, they have enlisted the help of fiddler Mike "Razz" Russel (Original Harmony Creek Dippers) and the unmistakable pedal steel of Eric Heywood (Son Volt). The music is simple, mellow and uncluttered. It is music that begs to be heard... and before you know it... you'll be completely captivated."
Real music
gwen | 03/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bellwether's third cd is real. It holds music and lyrics that are mindlessly easy to listen to and creatively intriging. The singing combination of Eric Luoma and Jimmy Peterson pull together interesting images and phrases that long for attention. ("My dreams are empty aircarft, flying low so you can't track it.") Unlike Bellwether's self-titled second cd, Home Late is rough and relaxed, tracks with laughter and creaks of floorboards. Home Late is like your favorite pair of jeans, a rainy afternoon, a drive by the lake in the fall."