Time-warped and roots-twisted, the Gourds sound like a good-time band from a parallel universe, one that puts traditional instrumentation--mandolin, accordion, fiddle--behind lyrics that dissolve the distinctions between t... more »he elliptical, the enigmatic, and the absurd. "Burn the Honeysuckle" and "Hooky Junk" suggest the Band on psychedelic mushrooms, while "Shake the Chandelier" finds the Austin quintet paying Tex-Mex homage to the late, great Doug Sahm and his Sir Douglas Quintet. For all the twists and loops, the band's organic interplay is rarely less than engaging, from the kick-start propulsion of the album-opening "Declineometer" through the wistful balladry of "Our Patriarch." It may be hard to know what the music means, but it's difficult to resist how it feels. --Don McLeese« less
Time-warped and roots-twisted, the Gourds sound like a good-time band from a parallel universe, one that puts traditional instrumentation--mandolin, accordion, fiddle--behind lyrics that dissolve the distinctions between the elliptical, the enigmatic, and the absurd. "Burn the Honeysuckle" and "Hooky Junk" suggest the Band on psychedelic mushrooms, while "Shake the Chandelier" finds the Austin quintet paying Tex-Mex homage to the late, great Doug Sahm and his Sir Douglas Quintet. For all the twists and loops, the band's organic interplay is rarely less than engaging, from the kick-start propulsion of the album-opening "Declineometer" through the wistful balladry of "Our Patriarch." It may be hard to know what the music means, but it's difficult to resist how it feels. --Don McLeese
CD Reviews
Gourds Yet to Disappoint
Jeremy Casterson | Craig, CO USA | 01/29/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As a long-time Gourds fan, I can tell you with much confidence that the Gourds' 9th release, "Heavy Ornamentals," will fulfill your Gourds fix. In the spectrum of Gourds albums, "Heavy Ornamentals" might come close to or equal "Blood of the Ram," but still doesn't match "Cow, Fish, Fowl or Pig" or their earlier albums.
"Burn the Honeysuckle" is quintessential Kev Russell and the album's best track. "Pill Bug Blues" and "Shake the Chandelier" are also Russell at his best and go down as all-time Gourds greats. Unfortunately, Jimmy Smith's contributions are par at best and the divide between the likeability of Kev and Jimmy's songs is greater on this album than any other. Ever since "Cow, Fish, Fowl or Pig," Jimmy's creativity has seemed to fall off a bit, and few of his songs stand out on the album. "Weather Woman," "Declineometer" and "New Roomate" are Smith's best tracks. An additional complaint is that Max Johnston-who showed his brilliance in "Cow, Fish, Fowl or Pig"-continues his song-writing drought. Max has no contributions on "Heavy Ornamentals."
If you're already hooked on The Gourds, "Heavy Ornamentals" will deliver more of what you're longing for. However, if you're new to The Gourds, I'd recommend an earlier album such as "Stadium Blitzer," "Dem's Good Beeble" or "Cow, Fish, Fowl or Pig.""
Great!!!
L. Guthrie | 04/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Gourds always make great music. They are all talented musicians who seem to enjoy what they do. I've seen them live 7 or 8 times and they always put on a great show. Every time I watch them perform I get the feeling they are doing what they were born to do. As with any Gourds CD, Heavy Ornamentals calls upon many genres and influences, but they make all their songs their own. Catchy tunes with quintessential gourds lyrics. do yourself a favor and add this one to your collection."
All killer, no filler.
Fred Antares | Coastal Hills, CA | 05/21/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Each listen of this album, front to back, it is like a road trip through varied terrain, all beautiful, often funny, sometimes sentimental.
The production compliments the songwriting and performances elegantly. The blurbs and farts and honks are all there, non-autotuned, non-beatdetected... raw yet complex- like the lyrical and harmonic composition. The honesty is an audible bonanza to the discerning ear (as well as to the casual listener).
Soon I'll have to move off of the awesome ballad, "Our Patriarch," and find a different song to listen to thirty seven consecutive times. The section on my hard drive that contains the file for "New Roomate" has probably been corrupted from overuse. Or Gourd stank.
This is good music."
My first taste of The Gourds, and I like it...
Marsen Sedgwick | New York City | 05/12/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I saw The Gourds live in Amsterdam in The Paradiso's upstairs hall- all 80 of us. They played from 2-4 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Great show...not only did I buy this, their latest cd; I even bought me a tee-shirt. Not a weak track here- and I read here that they recorded this in two weeks while recently on tour. This cd sounds very much as though it were live- and in the case of The Gourds, that's a good thing. Standout tracks are (for me, clearly): Pill Bug Blues, Mister Betty, and the cr?me de la cr?me...Shake the Chandelier. Very solid folk/rock more often on the rockin' side. See these guys live, in a great little venue near you- you won't regret it. ps: And a special 'thank you' to The Paradiso's ticket saleswoman who sold me a ticket to The Hackensaw Boys (from 4-6 that same afternoon) and let me in for free to see The Gourds, since I arrived at 2:30...also, if you don't know it already, Amsterdam is one fine fine city."
New to the Gourds and addicted to the Gourds
L. R. Miller | Gaithersburg, MD United States | 05/03/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"How else to describe the impact of a band, and their latest record, except to say that I immediately ordered two other previous CDs within days of hearing "Heavy Ornamentals." Yes, I am a belated devotee of The Gourds. Their music epitomizes the best of my beloved Band, the Stones, and a bevy of roots, blues, and true country musicians. Yet they are not only derivative. They have their own hooky (junk?) lyrics, their own odd, oddly changing tempos, and their own rock-solid instrumental work, and lovely vocal work, to keep your ear glued to the speakers. I was walking down the hallway at work today singing their songs. What better praise!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1