Search - Drivin N Cryin :: The Great American Bubble Factory [Vinyl]

A Great Work

Gus Witty | Thomaston, Ga. | 10/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"- When Drivin n Cryin relased its prior last studio album in 1997, I remember the band playing a live show at Little Five Points in Atlanta, GA on the night of the release. A local radio station, 99X, aired the show. I listened to the show's entirety, went to bed at 11:30, and then got up at 5:30 to go and teach elementary school.

- Biographies aside, this Drivin n Cryin release reminds me of their last in that this work stirs a consciousness within its listener. The songs are relavant to both our country as a collective and the individals who make up its society. Though the band has gotten older, they made their first album "Scarred but Smarter" 25 years ago; their genuine talent and enthusiasm still prevails.

- Drivin n Cryin remains an exemplary band who possesses an acumen for diversity by intermingling Rock, Powerpop, Country, Folk, Blues, and Americana to render listeners the brilliant "Great American Bubble Factory". The CD's title track is electrified Folk blended with a nice dose of Powerpop and horns. "Don't You Know" is quirky Country with happy humanity; Tim's mandolin is crisp and perfect. "Trainwreck" is vibrant, romping Hard Rock; Mack Carter shows what a great guitarist he is. Personally, my favorite songs on the disc are "Let Me Down" and "Detroit City". The pure Americana of "This Town" which appears on Kevn's stellar "Flower and the Knife" solo CD is reworked with superior results; Dave V. Johnson's understated percussion on the song is a nice enhancement.

- Drivin n Cryin, led from its inception by Kevn Kinney and Tim Nielsen, is a band that has endured because of musical telepathy and shared vision. Dave V. Johnson is an immensely versatile drummer. Apparently, he had freedom to experiment on this CD. Both Mack and Dave have proven themselves superior additions to the band both in studio and onstage; a Drivin n Cryin show is an experience of sonic joy.

- Kevn's lyrics on this work are indicative of a man who cares about his musical and social credibility. This CD exhibits the band as a working collaborative in that the instrumentations frame Kevn's lyrics and unique voice masterfully. Thankfully, with this work, Drvin n Cryin show that they still care about making genuine music for their fans that mirrors the world as they see it. As a 20 year old, they spoke to me with songs of joy, heartbreak, truth, and conscience - "Around the Block Again", "Keeping it Close to My Heart", "With the People", "Gotta Move On", "Turn It Up, Or Turn It Off", "Whisky Soul Women" (Yes, I'm a fan.); today they still do the same. "Great American Bubble Factory" proves that Drvin n Cryin still cares and is still determined to deliver its audience honest, well-crafted music."