Search - Those Darlins :: Those Darlins (Dig)

Those Darlins set the Standard...for FUN!!

Daniel Minard | Nashville,TN | 06/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I hear what's passing for 'Mainstream Country Music' these days, what comes across is anything BUT it's original roots. And when the biggest female country star comes straight from the show that gave us Clay Aiken,well 'Houston..we may have a Texas-sized problem..' Thank God then for Three of the most Rocking and Spunky Women this side of Murfreesboro,Tenessee: Those Darlins!

Nikki,Jessi,and Kelley Darlin have the uncanny ability to make the listener feel they're hearing what are already the best of country standards. Young in age but ol' road weary souls,you can almost taste the beer,whisky,fill-in-the-blank straight off the cover of the album. (That's right I said "Album") This is simply because they are steeped in a 'FAM-LEE-TRUH-DITION'. The almost forgotten tradition of the ACTUAL ARTISTS writing FUN,heart-felt songs that people can relate to without feeling like they've been 'sized-up' by some focus group from some industry execs from an industry town... Families like The Carter Family and all of the Hank Williams's. On closer inspection you can also hear the influences of Wanda Jackson,Flatts and Scruggs and some Tennessee Ernie Ford. But as evidenced by the first track, 'Red Light Love', these women also know how to bridge the gap between country and Rock! And they'll also tell Charlie Louvin to his face (and have) that if he 'can't handle Crazy', to 'go ahead and leave' via the crowd-pleasing: 'Wild One'. It also occurs to this writer,that Jessi Darlin's ode to her mother,'Mama's Heart' could teach the Faith Hill's and Shania's a thing or too about true sentiment and honest feel. 'The Whole Damn Thing' will also make you think twice the next time you drive by a KFC when you can just as easily end-up in Nikki Darlin's kitchen! From the opening notes of 'Snaggle Tooth Mama' you get the best road-trip soundtrack music, perfect for a day of mayhem and adventure! And if I didn't know any better,I would say 'Glass to You' could vie for one of the best tracks that The Rolling Stones forgot to put on either Let it Bleed or Beggars Banquet. Them Darlins can be funny like that. And some advice for fans of Kelley Darlin: If you call her on the phone and drop the signal as you go under some bridge. You might as well stay there. Just listen to 'Hung Up On Me', and never-EVER lie to her..!

Those Darlins also make an easy transition to the classic pop songs of the 60s with The Crystals inluenced: "DUI or Die". That reminds me. Don't Drink, and Bike.(you'll figure it out..) These women are as versatile as they are "purty". And with some of their feet firmly planted in tradition and some other feet in Pop,Rock,and EVEN Punk, Those Darlins set the standard... For FUN!!

"

Love them

T. Head | Seattle, WA USA | 10/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"a lot of folks will be put off by Those Darlins; yes they are a little off key at times, the album sometimes sounds like it was recorded in a barn (very appropriate) and some of the egress/exits are strange but...this is a killer album. Punks that do country; just my style. I love the subjects of their tunes; getting drunk and eating a chicken? how mundane, how cool! I also am crazy for some of the artists that accompany them. in particular the percussionist on that same very song is fresh and unusual.

drop the dime and buy this album, I guarantee you will love at least one tune on this album to the point you will overplay it to death...I do that with song #2; Wild One."

Pleasant Surprise

Jason Ryan | Los Angeles, CA | 10/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Considering that I generally prefer rock music, I originally thought Those Darlins would be too country for me. To say the least, I was mistaken. Those Darlins are way more Joey Ramone than Dixie Chicks. They add a punk rock aesthetic to traditional country/bluegrass song structures resulting in a final product that is refreshing, exciting, and incredibly unique. Over the course of 12 tracks, Those Darlins will take you on a wild journey which includes (but is not limited to) booze, boys, and eating "whole damn" chickens. Produced by Jeff Curtain (Vampire Weekend), this album is incredibly rough around the edges - but that's what draws me to this band so much. They are essentially just three wild girls from the country who are not concerned with limiting their style or genre, but are ready to break down barriers and create something that is uniquely Those Darlins. Do yourself a favor and download this album - Those Darlins are about to take over the world."