Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, The Bear

The first cd I ever bought was the Beach Boys, Greatest Hits and the first vinyl I ever purchased was The Band, Brown Album. While this is insignificant in and of itself, I have to say that I have a thing for guy bands with sweet harmonies. The newest album from Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers (SK6ers) is just such a record. The Bear combines the best of their previous records, the harmonies of Bulletproof Heart and the lyrics of Glassjaw Boxer. It starts off with the title track, which is a raw and real tune that gives the theme of the record, "Sometimes you get the Bear, sometimes the Bear gets you... in the end, there's no apologies." In all, the album is a story about how there are moments in life that seem like it's the best it's ever going to be, but sometimes life gets in the way & we let it tear us down.
I marvel at their ability to take simple melodies & pair those with emotionally-driven sometimes complex lyrics that shoot straight through to your heart. For example, A (With Love) tells a family's story in a way that makes you understand the pain and the hope that each member feels. Oh Adeline combines the love for a child with the understanding the limits a parent can reach in their protection of a child. In contrast to the family-themed songs above, Dying Wish of a Teenager and Lonely in Columbus show the inner workings of people who are depressed and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. This dichotomy between depression and loving family shows that each person is at a different level of emotions at different times and music should show all those emotions. The album ends with the song of a love lost and a wish for tomorrow in Born in the Spring.

While this cd wasn't recorded with the hottest producer of the day with the auto-tune and the best studio musicians, it has something better- authenticity. When you listen to the final 30 seconds of Born in the Spring you feel the desperation in the voices. Satisfied Man brings you the break in the voice of a man who wants to spend time with his family but must be on the road. Without these moments, the cd would feel like the Sixers were trying to create characters instead of living their lives. So as Stephen Kellogg would say, "It isn't always pretty, but it's real."

The Alternate Routes "A Sucker's Dream" - Bethany freaking LOVES it

I have never had the opportunity to fall in love with another human being, but I have had my fair share of falling in love with music. Most recently, I have found myself hooked on a little band with gigantic talent, The Alternate Routes. I have heard their name tossed around for almost a year now, but have been putting off getting to know them. On New Years Eve, I had the chance to see them live, and I was blown away. This under the radar band of friendly, sweet guys from the fabulous state of Connecticut (my home state!) just released their second cd, "A Sucker's Dream," and I can't get enough.

When I saw them for the first time, I loved their vibe. They sang one song, "On and On We Whisper," and it was a sentimental ballad that spoke of the need to create something that would impact the world for the better. This song starts the cd off, and it is NOTHING like I first head it. It's a driving rock number that made me stop and say "what the fuck is this?!" After thirty seconds of the "new" version, I turned my back on the slower arrangement and became a convert to the cd version. The fast tempo rushes the neediness of the song, echoing the overpowering desire to make a difference.

The following songs build on the silent theme of the CD, the famous statement from circus guru P.T. Barnum : A sucker is born every minute. The Alternate Routes tie in gentle hints of circus life through each song, but nothing comes off campy or ridiculous. Instead, the metaphor holds strong as lead singer Tim Warren wonders aloud, "When did my life start to mean starving on a sucker's dream?" in the eponymous title track.

"Ain't No Secret" is my personal favorite track, about a guy wanting to know his love isn't vain and declaring how tired he is of pretending to not care. "The Future's Nothing New" features one of the most creative instruments ever though of -- a toolbox. If you don't believe me, download the track and you will fall in love.

The disc features some slower songs that are equally intense and optimistic. "Desdemona" [feat. Patty Griffin] is a song about Warren's sister, "Already November" tells about a broken home and lost dreams. "Never Gonna Be Rich" a song that is about a deserted mining town, but hold greater implications of not living life passively.

The CD ends on a pensive note, "Better Way." The band reflects on their efforts to change the world, and decide that there has to be a better way of living than "starving on a sucker's dream." It waxes optimistic, and you know that in their search of the better way, only more amazing things lay ahead.

In all, "A Sucker's Dream" does not disappoint. The songs are easy to relate to, Tim's voice is haunting and effortless, Eric's guitar playing is celestial, and the band's vibe is hard to ignore. Good luck getting the songs out of your head -- I have yet to figure out how.

Scale of 1 - 10? +9

Yarn-- Sarah appreciates the Intention

After reading Bethany's post, you may have thought, "Wow, that was one awful band. How could anyone willingly go to see their show?" Well, let me elaborate on the circumstances behind this particular show. The Alternate Routes were the opening act and had 9 (that's right) fans for the show. When Yarn came on stage, 6 of those fans left, leaving 2 fans, 1 merch girl, and the Alternate Routes duo. With only 5 people in the audience they started by playing some new songs. What do you do when you are playing new songs for the first time to people who aren't there to see you. Well, jam sessions are part of how you arrange music for new listeners. Many performers have used low capacity crowds to fine tune arrangements; its the nature of the business.
Yarn is a Bluegrass band with heavy instrumentation. If you do not like bluegrass, do not go see them. If you do, they have a mandolin player who will blow your socks off. He takes solos on both the mando and the electric mandolin, that will make you rethink any other mando performance you have ever seen. While Bethany was correct in her observations about the amount of improvisation, the quality was unparalleled. The lyrics were the troublesome aspect of their show. All of the songs dealt with sex, random hookups, or relationships in general. The depth in the lyrics was not there. Better songwriting would go a long way in their upcoming albums and shows.

Scale of 1-10: 4

Yarn -- Bethany Thinks They Suck

We had the unfortunate opportunity to see the band Yarn in concert. Let me tell you, they are no good. Not even decent. They hit suck and kept on plummeting down.

First, they stole all the opening act's jokes. And bombed them horribly. (poor bartender)

Second, I will concede that there is good reason to admire the true musicianship of a truly phenomenal band member. However (and listen carefully my dearests), there's a difference between a 2 minute guitar solo, and a 20 minute jam session during the interlude of each song. I'll expound:

Each member of Yarn was given the opportunity to play a 2 minute solo in the interlude of every. single. song. And there were about 6 people in the band. THAT'S 12 MINUTES of interlude. Word to the band that sucked harder than a freaking Hoover: You are not that good, and this is not even CLOSE to as good as "Stairway to Heaven." No, you're a crap-ass blue grass band that doesn't know when to give up the self-indulgent BULLSHIT and get on with the show.

If you're ever tempted to see Yarn, do yourself a favor and kill yourself first -- it'll be less painful in the end.

Scale of 1 - 10: -45