Search - Hill Country Revue :: Make a Move

Better than the best

Ken Tengdahl | Australia | 08/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just received this and have not stopped playing it. I reckon it is better than North Mississippi Allstars, who along with Warren Haynes and Gov't Mule I rate as the two best bands going around. Even though all the members of NMS play together on this at some stage it has more of a grittier edge to it than a lot of NMS and the singer has a better voice than Luther, no offence to Luther, but his voice really suits the heavier influences on this cd. I usually only buy live cd's (have about 250 and only five that are'nt live)but I'm glad I bought this one. I can't wait for their next one to come out, I just hope it's live"

Fine debut album from a dedicated band...

Baberufus | West Jordan, UT USA | 05/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This band follows the legacy of the North Mississippi Allstars in keeping with the tradition of Hill Country Blues. In fact, bassist Chris Chew and drummer Cody Dickinson from the NMA are members of this band, with Cody now utlilizing his guitar talents along with up and coming blues guitar slinger Kirk Smithhart. The material here, while definitely possessing that hill country style, has an extra heavy, polished rock edge to it for a more unique sound. Cody's guitar solos actually sound more like heavy metal shredding with that "scooped" tone and flailing hammer-ons, whereas Kirk has a more of a "meat and potatoes" tone, but churns out some shredding licks here and there as well. Good songs, too. The production quality could have been better on some of the tracks--some variation there. Some tracks don't have as much "oomph" as others.



I guess Cody and Chris have teamed up with these guys as a new project due to Luther Dickinson's joining the Black Crowes. This band is really good, but a band with Cody and Chris just isn't the same without Luther, for me. That's just nostalgia talking here--don't get me wrong. These guys have their own sound and are great in their own way, so I'm not knocking them at all, but Luther has a driving force that really makes the NMA something special.



Actually, I saw the NMA in concert in January of this year, so at least they haven't technically broken up. In fact, Hill Country Revue opened for them, and after the NMA's set Kirk, Dan, and Ed from HCB got up and jammed with them, and it was great. You can't beat that!



Any fan of the North Mississippi Allstars should enjoy this CD. Great stuff!"

Go see them.

DeadGuy57 | Weston, CT | 05/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine first "official" release by HCR. Do yourself a favor and go see them live. It will be the best $20-25 you ever spent other than doing the same for the parent band - The North Mississippi Allstars. Get off your lazy butt and go support live music!"