The Old,the New and the Funky
Jaime Clark | NC | 09/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have followed 7N for a long time and this album is a great as all the previous ones!There are no electric guitars on this one and a few things are new,like the inclusion of a banjo on a track.
Track by track:
1) "Intro": The sounds of the subway,plain and simple.
2) "One Foot": This reminds me of older &n tracks,with some funky bass playing from Struby,gotta love it!
3) "Ordinary": A laid back song with soaring pipes and fiddle.
4) "Miracle":This song strarts with a traditional sound,Kirk's writing on this song sounds more personal than even before.
5) "Tradition": This song is one of the best on the album...funky,hook-filled and very catchy!All 7N songs make you want to move,this is no exception!
6) "Waltz For Crystele": There has been talk of this song being "darker" than 7N plays and I will agree it took me a couple of listens to get a sense of it.However,that said,this blunt,big top tinged, yet amusing song is a welcome departure for the guys.I Love the chorus,it is what you want to tell all the people who ever dumped you!And it makes me want to waltz!
7) "Somthin Somthin": While I personally do not like this traack as much as all the others,it is full of good fiddle work.
8) "Drive": This song is full of harmonies,as are many of the songs on the album,which is a nice edition to the cd,giving it an added warmth and depth.
9) "Instrumental": This is a set of tradition tunes,the first great for a fling.It is good to hear the use of hand drums hear,specifically a dumbek.Kirk is also back on keys here,something I certainly miss!
10) "It's Alright": I think everyone will be singing along to this one at the shows... "Everybody on the right is a friend of mine,everybody on the left is a friend of mine".This song has a more funky feel,which is a vein that runs through the album.
11) "Like Runninh Away": This is the closest thing to a ballad on the album,reminding me of a song from the 70's,thanks to a keyboard part.The fiddle playing in this gives it a drama as opposed to the spriteliness it often conveys.
12) "Reno": Kirks best vocals on the album,aside from the harmonies he provides on the album.dan's fiddling is rockin' here as well.
13) " Slow Aire": The slowe aires always make me all teary and somber and are more a ballad than anything with words could ever be.I think this would be good for a wedding though...save that thought for my own wedding!
14) "Gun Song": A song that's direction is not what you expect,good chorus.
15) " The Water's Wide": A traditional song,which is obvioous from the lyrics,even if they didn't say.It is the most beautifully sung and arranged song on the whole album,it will pull at your heartstrings.reminds me of a lullaby.
16) "Outro": More sounds of the subway...going home maybe....the circular completion of the best Seven Nations album yet."
Another Amazing Album
Mokey's Momma | Columbus, GA USA | 08/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This afternoon I recieved the newest brilliant cd by Seven Nations. Guys, you have done it again! Throughout the evolution of this band they have never failed to exceed my expectations. As I'm listening to this I am filled with happiness and admiration. I can hardly describe the way I feel but believe me when I say that if you have liked ANY other Seven Nations cd, you'll love this one. It is amazing and won't dissapoint! The wait was well worth it gentlemen."
Their most creative album yet
ThatChipGuy | 01/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A range of musical styles, a more balanced production style than their previous album -- "Thanks for Waiting" was certainly worth it. Check out "Tradition," "Sumthin Sumthin," and the demented "Waltz for Crystele.""