And the Rain Crashed Down - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
This Is Me - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
Baltimore - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
Stay - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
Lady Freedom - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
Independence, Indiana - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
Fly - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
Horse - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
Clear and Present Danger - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
Fifty Pounds - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
Alone - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
Adi?s, Lorena - Eddie from Ohio, Schaefer
The Bird - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
No Pain, No Problem - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
Walk Humbly, Son - Eddie from Ohio, Clem
Adult album rock with a capital AAA, this District of Columbia quartet sports eight previous albums, a swarm of "Edheads" and a name derived from a member of a nineties California punk band (Ed "eDfROMOHIO" Crawford of fIR... more »EHOSE). And after 13 years as a regional darling, it now it has a record for the masses thanks to producer Lloyd Maines (Dixie Chicks, Robert Earl Keen), who belies the band?s habitual preparedness for a spontaneous, electrified and nearly live cadence on this hour-long effort. Julie Murphy Wells may be the recognizable voice of Eddie?s merging of bluegrass, folk, and acoustic pop, but guitarist Michael Clem stars at the mic on "No Pain, No Gain," led by Maines? mandolin and dobro precision, and as a cosmopolitan Leon Redbone on the bluesy "Fifty Pounds." With intellect, wit and an affinity for reflection on real life endeavors, This is Me serves as both another feather in the CD cap for long-time followers and as a debut record for those to come. --Scott Holter« less
Adult album rock with a capital AAA, this District of Columbia quartet sports eight previous albums, a swarm of "Edheads" and a name derived from a member of a nineties California punk band (Ed "eDfROMOHIO" Crawford of fIREHOSE). And after 13 years as a regional darling, it now it has a record for the masses thanks to producer Lloyd Maines (Dixie Chicks, Robert Earl Keen), who belies the band?s habitual preparedness for a spontaneous, electrified and nearly live cadence on this hour-long effort. Julie Murphy Wells may be the recognizable voice of Eddie?s merging of bluegrass, folk, and acoustic pop, but guitarist Michael Clem stars at the mic on "No Pain, No Gain," led by Maines? mandolin and dobro precision, and as a cosmopolitan Leon Redbone on the bluesy "Fifty Pounds." With intellect, wit and an affinity for reflection on real life endeavors, This is Me serves as both another feather in the CD cap for long-time followers and as a debut record for those to come. --Scott Holter
"I've been thinking about this review since I bought the CD three months ago, debating internally exactly what's wrong with the newest album from my favorite group. I have been in love with EFO's wit, music, Julie's voice, and the harmonies for the past 6 years, ever since "Looking Out the Fishbowl", and have purchased each album immediately after its release.
This album is a car wreck, thanks to the interference of Lloyd Maines, the "big name" country producer. Somehow he managed to take a band that normally blazes with energy sound bored. Most of the songs make it sound like they're just not having fun with this album, and by extension, neither did I. It's obvious he didn't listen to what made earlier albums special, as there is a dearth of EFO's trademark harmonies. On top of that, Maines "contributed" instrumentation (mostly extraneous steel guitar) on almost all the tracks, all focused on countrifying this album.
EFO's soul briefly comes to life on track 6, "Fly" (coincidentally one of the few tracks where Lloyd is nowhere to be found), which showcases Robbie's wit with lyrics in a poignant, upbeat song, similar to "One Thousand Sarahs" on their last album.
Overall, I'm really disappointed, and pray that EFO will think twice before going all country with a bigshot producer while sacrificing their uniqueness for marketability. I still give them 3 stars because this is EFO, after all, and their worst effort is better than most of what's on the market today."
Another fine EFO
E. C Goodstein | Northern CA United States | 11/02/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Another great albumn from EFO-- it is a bit more country than some, but
really IMO with Lloyd Maines producing, a little bit more 'smoothed out pop.' I think the first couple songs are the weakest (though they're growing on me some); but overall still very clever, very fine singing by
Julie Murphy-Wells (boy, is she ever underrated IMO!) and the guys. I think Robbie Schaefer's songs better here than some recent albums.
I can't quite give it 5 stars-- wish they had 4.5 :). Fine effort though."
Maybe the best one yet!
choraldiva | Minnesota | 10/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am ecstatic to report that EFO has outdone themselves once again with this album. It is musically flawless, smart, funny, moving, and sophisticated. This will stay in my cd player for a long, long time! Every song is wonderful...be sure to catch Alone, as it combines classic EFO humor with a knockout performance by lead singer Julie Murphy Wells. Also, This Is Me, And The Rain Crashed Down, and Stay are not to be missed. BUY THIS ALBUM! You will be glad you did."
Eddie, Where Have You Been All of My Life?!
M. Moss | Albany, NY United States | 03/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am not one to give out 5 stars lightly. But EFO has been my greatest "discovery" in a long time. I'm thinking: 'Donna the Buffalo' (DTB), but much less amplified. Based in solid acoustic settings Eddie can nevertheless plug in on occasion with similar success. Solid playing; solid vocals; great hooks - what's not to like? Now I've got to check out the rest of their repertoire!"