Search - Walter Clevenger :: Love Songs to Myself

Buddy Holly Lives

James Carragher | New York | 09/05/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have no idea how old Walter Clevenger is, but he's clearly Buddy Holly -- by way of Marshall Crenshaw -- risen from those ashes in that Iowa cornfield over forty years ago. The recording is simplicity itself, vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Alright, in a nod to these amped up times, two guitarists, but it's still the bare bones Crickets instrumental lineup, and the sound is crisp and all pop. "All My Love" is Buddy's "Oh, Boy" updated, and "Real," "Lonely Boy" and "So Far Away" all could have been tunes Holly left behind unrecorded. The rest of the generous 15 cut CD is equally catchy. It all goes by fast; no song clocks in at more than 3:19, what used to be perfect for a radio airplay single. On today's stations, who's knows if there's room for these intelligent lyrics and melodic guitar hooks, but if you find me a place on the dial that would play "Girl at the End of the Bar" and Fountains of Wayne's "Red Dragon Tattoo" back to back, that would be a station to make driving and radio listening a fun combination again."

Great Roots Rock/ Power Pop Disc

More M | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 05/03/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great sophmore effort from Walter Clevenger and his Dairy Kings. The sound here is in the Marshall Crenshaw/Nick Lowe vain--with a good bit of Buddy Holly thrown in for good measure. If you like any of those artists (and by gosh, you should), you won't be disappointed. In my book, it's better than his first disc."

Walter Clevenger And The Dairy Kings Rock!

xplantdad | Orange County, Ca. | 06/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Walter Clevenger is truly a gifted songwriter. He has that rare ability to write songs that even during your first listen, you'll find yourself singing along. This is definitely a must have CD for any collection. On Love Songs to Myself, there are songs from across the spectrum of music. Marshall Crenshaw... Buddy Holly...The Beatles...Buck Owens...From rock to country to pop and power pop, Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings just rock! The song "I'll Return Again" is a beautiful song about his daughter, who was just a baby when it was written.I have seen the band play live, and Walter(Lead Guitar/Vocals), Steve Bancroft(Lead Guitar/Vocals),Henry Clift( Bass Guitar/Vocals) and Mike Fernandez(Drums) are a blast! They are also a great bunch of guys.Get this CD as soon as you possibly can, you'll be happy you did."