Search - Skeletons :: Nothing to Lose

A GOOD LITTLE ROOTS ROCKIN' BAND

Patrick Earley | Edmond, Oklahoma USA | 06/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 1979 Steve Forbert started gathering musicians to form a new backing band to go on tour with him that year. After the Forbert tour, these guys decided they wanted to stay together, so they started this band the Skeletons. All I can say is thank you Steve Forbert! The Skeletons have quietly rolled along touring and recording great little indie records over the years since 1979. They are a well respected and sought after band who have backed artists such as Dave Alvin, Syd Straw on her classic album "War and Peace", and bluesman Clarence Brewer on his album "King Clarence", which is a gem of an album. In 1997 the Skeletons recorded "Nothing To Lose", which sounds like a very appropriate title for this little known bands newest record. With the bigger record label Hightone releasing this, at least their getting a little more of the recognition they deserve. I've enjoyed listening to this cd over these past few years. It's pure fun. This is a very tight and versatile band. They deliver a generous helping of rock and roll with songs like "DOWNHEARTED", which reminds me of something that could have come right out of the late 70's pop scene. "TEARDROP CITY" is a tune that sounds very much like some of the more tasteful american pop rock of the mid-60's. They do a couple very nice mid-tempo rockers with "MAD OLD LADY" and the very catchy IT'S OK TO BE LONELY". They do a little country rock with "COUNTRY BOYS DON'T CRY". They do a great ballad and my favorite here with "PAY TO PLAY". And they even do a mean little surf instrumental with "TUBB'S THEME". With "Nothing to Lose" you get a little of everything, and that's what makes this such a fun listen. If you like this album, you might like some of the Skeleton's side projects. Their guitar player D. Clinton Thompson did a project a few years ago with a band he started called the Park Central Squares, which is another good album if you can find it. Another side project is a band called the Morells, which is basically the whole Skeleton crew doing a rockabilly album under another name. Like I said, these guys are versatile. If you want their best album though, look mo further. Nothing to Lose is their best so far."

Lou Whitney is the coolest guy in the world!

Patrick Earley | 06/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was overjoyed when I saw that the Skeletons were back together again and had released this new album. In my humble opinion, this is the best Skeletons album to date and I, for one, am begging for more! This album grabs you and doesn't let go. Its got basically no slow spots at all and I find myself listening to the entire album straight through regularly. I strongly recommend it to any Skeletons fan or anyone who is interested in being introduced to Missouri's finest roadhouse musicians."