Benchmark

Benchmark

Benchmark

Track Listings
 
1. Lancashire Lads/Going for a Solider Jenny
2. Blacksmith
3. Batchelors Hall
4. Pretty Saro
5. Willie Moore
6. Rambing Sailor
7. Hot Asphalt
8. Lowlands of Holland
9. Old Joe Clark
10. Shoals of Herring
11. Tearing Down the Kingdom of the World
12. Man from Kyandra
13. Skewball
14. Young Sailor Cut Down in His Prime

Benchmark,Dave Burland,Fat Cat [Rgof],Contemporary Folk,Folk & Traditional,Pop,Singer/Songwriter
Girls Go Wild
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great debut
  • Agents of 6th Street, Austin, Texas
  • don't be scared
  • Fabulous Thunderbirds "Girls Go Wild"
  • Oh My God, I can't Go To Work!
 Girls Go Wild
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Manufacturer: Benchmark Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. T-Bird Rhythm
  2. What's the Word
  3. Butt Rockin'
  4. Tuff Enuff
  5. Tacos Deluxe

ASIN: B000054P16
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

  1. Wait On Time
  2. Scratch My Back
  3. Rich Woman
  4. Full-Time Lover
  5. Pocket Rocket
  6. She's Tuff
  7. Marked Deck
  8. Walkin' To My Baby
  9. Rock With Me
  10. C-Boy's Blues
  11. Let Me In
  12. Look Whatcha Done
  13. Please Don't Lie To Me
  14. Things I Forgot To Do

Album Details

Reissue Includes 3 Added Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great debut .......2007-02-26

When I first heard the Fabulous Thunderbirds was after I purchased "What's The Word", I was hooked after that. This debut recording I heard later and it blew me away as well. The bonus tracks on the cd are a pleasant addition.

5 out of 5 stars Agents of 6th Street, Austin, Texas.......2006-07-30

This is probably one of the best blues recording I've picked up in a while. I was curious to see what the early Fabulous Thunderbirds sounded like and all I can say is WOW. I picked this up on, of all things, LP at Half Price Book in Austin, Texas. All the songs are great, Jimmy Lee burns it up on Full Time Lover.

Very similar in style to the Triple Threat Revue and a version of the T-Birds that featured Lou Ann Barton, SRV, and Jimmy Lee in the late 70's. A really great addition to the collectoin.

5 out of 5 stars don't be scared.......2006-01-18

This is the best and bluesiest of T-Birds cds. What I enjoy most is the absence of any second guitar or keyboard, or rather, the way these guys play without those 'extra' instruments: No fear. The space is beautiful, and when it's right, (and it is), there's nothing better than a bent note just sitting out in the air by itself.

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous Thunderbirds "Girls Go Wild".......2005-04-05

Ask any working professional blues guitarist or any other blues musician, including his younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan, and he will probably say that Jimmie Vaughan is one of the greatest blues guitarists of the last 40 years, perhaps longer. Vaughan probably had as much of an impact with this, the Fab T'Birds first album, as Eric Clapton had back in 1966 with John Mayall (The Beano Album). In effect, Jimmie Vaughan helped convert millions of guitar wanking/noodling blooze players (myself included!) into more serious rootsy players. He succeeded in distilling Jimmie Reed, Jimmie Rogers, T-Bone Walker,, a young B.B. King, Lightning Hopkins, Slim Harpo, John Lee Hooker, and several others into an unbeatable blend-- himself. Problem is (well it isn't really a problem)-- there is only one Jimmie Vaughan, meaning that he is the original and can never be duplicated, let alone imitated. Nobody in recent memory has been able to "tell a story" with every solo the way he has. (This is no doubt the reason Stevie Ray considered his older brother Jimmie the better player.) As a rhythm player nobody has come close. Believe me, many have tried. Seeing him play live was overwhelming. And that's just the guitar player on this debut!

Kim Wilson has been and remains the most sought after harp player in the world, and he is a complete master of every style from Little Walter to Sonny Boy Williamson-- whether he's blowing through a Green Bullet or a regular mike. On this album he does an excellent job of singing in a vocal range of styles from BB King to Lazy Lester, but retains his own identity throughout.

Keith Ferguson? The tone he gets from that Fender Telecaster bass is monstrous, enveloping, profound-- but it is his sense of swing and groove, and his ears that set his playing head and shoulders above other blues bassists.

Finally there is Mike Buck on drums. Somebody else has written a review here saying that this is "the Shuffles album" for drummers. Two-fisted rub-shuffles to be exact.

The album's greatness is due in no small part to the fact that each of the four musicians offers an eternal lesson-- a clinic-- in how the blues should be played-- with deep focus, deep restraint, deep tension, deep communication-- the result of which is an incredibly erotic ferment-- no wonder it is called "Girls Go Wild"! But for students of the blues, it offers instruction and inspiration for individual instrumentation and ensemble playing. It creates an atmosphere that lends continuity to the entire album.

Among their fans were Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Ronnie Earl and the Roomful of Blues band, and even Jackson Browne!

You can imagine that the Fabulous Thunderbirds' "Girls Go Wild," similar to the Beatles' "Please Please Me" first album and John Mayall/Eric Clapton Bluesbreakers' "Beano," were itching to lay down their best club material on tape, and to my ears the results are in their own way just as astonishing.

One never tires of hearing this timeless document.

A final piece of advice-- play it LOUD!

5 out of 5 stars Oh My God, I can't Go To Work!.......2004-02-19

We just unwrapped this CD - It's 6 AM on Guam, the Sun is climbing out of the Pacific, and the T-Birds are shaking the house. I can't leave until it's done- it's THAT good. In fact, I may just have to call in sick and spin it some more. Buy it, try it. You'll like it. I promise.
What's the Word
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Good Time Rock and Roll
  • The Word Is....Fabulous!!!
  • The best party music.....
  • Three great remasters in a row! Where is #4?
 What's the Word
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Manufacturer: Benchmark Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Contemporary BluesContemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Girls Go Wild
  2. T-Bird Rhythm
  3. Butt Rockin'
  4. Tuff Enuff
  5. Tacos Deluxe

ASIN: B000056B54
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

  1. Runnin' Shoes
  2. You Ain't Nothin' But Fine
  3. Low-Down Woman
  4. Extra Jimmies
  5. Sugar Coated Love
  6. Last Call For Alcohol
  7. The Crawl
  8. Jumpin' Bad
  9. Learn To Treat Me Right
  10. I'm A Good Man (If You Give Me A Chance)
  11. Dirty Work
  12. That's Enough Of That Stuff
  13. Band Introduction By C-Boy
  14. Bad Boy (Live)
  15. Scratch My Back (Live)
  16. Los Fabulosos Thunderbirds

Product Description

1. Runnin' Shoes
2. You Ain't Nothing But Fine
3. Low-Down Woman
4. Extra Jimmies
5. Sugar Coated Love
6. Last Call For Alcohol
7. The Crawl
8. Jumpin' Bad
9. Learn To Treat Me Right
10. I'm A Good Man (If You Give Me A Chance)
11. Dirty Work
12. That's Enough Of That Stuff
13. (Band Introduction by C-Boy)
14. Bad Boy (Live)
15. Scratch My Back (Live)
16. Los Fabulosos Thunderbirds

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Good Time Rock and Roll.......2006-05-06

When a band plays the blues as well as these guys did, it's hard to find the right words to describe their achievement. Suffice to say, Jimmie Vaughan is the master of understatement on guitar; Kim Wilson's voice is rich and soulful, and his harp playing is incendiary; "in the pocket" barely begins to describe Keith Fergusen's bass playing; and both Mike Buck and Fran Christina (who each play on about half the tunes) lay down a backbeat that is impossible to resist.

All the early T-birds albums are worth owning, but this one is my favorite, for its sheer consistency. "Runnin' Shoes" is band's take on an old blues standard called "Meet Me At The Bottom" which highlights Kim's perfect control of his voice. "Low Down Woman," a straightforward mid-tempo blues, has some of his most amusing lyrics. "Extra Jimmies" and "Jumpin' Bad" display the prodigious talents of Vaughan and Wilson, respectively (not to mention the fluid bass of Fergusen), and "The Crawl" should be on every jukebox in the country!

Enhancing an already perfect album, the CD reissue adds two bonus live cuts, one of which ("Bad Boy") is not on any other T-birds album. It's no surprise these guys sound just as good live as in the studio.

If you are looking for an example of how electric blues/boogie should be played, look no further.

5 out of 5 stars The Word Is....Fabulous!!!.......2003-10-09

On the Fabulous Thunderbirds second CD, Kim Wilson and Co. consolidate the (yes) fabulous sound that made the first CD Girls Go Wild such a classic. "Jumpin' Bad," a high-octane, harmonica-fueled instrumental, was their concert opener for years and gives Kim perhaps his best showcase as a harpist. "You Ain't Nothin' But Fine," another high-speed romp, is indeed so fine that short-lived supergroup Rockpile covered it on their Seconds of Pleasure album. (This was truly high praise; Rockpile included New-Wave luminaries Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe in it's lineup while the T-Birds were totally unknown at the time.) And if you love great guitar, check out Jimmie Vaughan's hot licks in "Extra Jimmies" and listen to him really tear up the dance floor in "The Crawl". Great solos! "Runnin' Shoes" is actually the retitled blues standard "Meet Me at the Bottom," which was covered by everyone from The Rolling Stones to Savoy Brown; Kim's singing here is at his most funky and authoritative. There are also two bonus songs here (not three; one is merely an introduction to the live cuts) and they cook; Kim especially fine on "Scratch My Back" (a number they would later sing live on CBS This Morning). Finally, "Los Fabulosos Thunderbirds" is a wonderful little band ditty with authentic-sounding Mexican DJ El Mero Guero (really bassist Keith Ferguson) giving a sample of how the T-Birds would sound broadcast over 1960's Mexican radio. Priceless! So, if you want to know What's The Word?.....in a word, fabulous!

5 out of 5 stars The best party music............2001-07-27

Party music for the ultra-cool.

5 out of 5 stars Three great remasters in a row! Where is #4?.......2001-07-01

Three hot remasters in a row! Great sound quality. You should snap this one up for that alone. The additional cuts are a bonus. Add this one to your collection and you can't go wrong, great crusing and party music.
T-Bird Rhythm
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • How Do You Spell Blues?? T-B-I-R-D-S!!!
  • Fabulous Five Stars for the T-Birds
 T-Bird Rhythm
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Manufacturer: Benchmark Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
Texas BluesTexas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
Blues RockBlues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Girls Go Wild
  2. Butt Rockin'
  3. What's the Word
  4. Tuff Enuff
  5. Tacos Deluxe

ASIN: B000056B53
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Product Description

1. Can't Tear It Up Enuff
2. How Do You Spell Love
3. You're Humbuggin' Me
4. My Babe
5. "Neighbor" Tend To Your Business
6. The Monkey
7. Diddy Wah Diddy
8. Lover's Crime
9. Poor Boy
10. Tell Me (Pretty Baby)
11. Gotta Have Some/Just Got Some

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars How Do You Spell Blues?? T-B-I-R-D-S!!!.......2003-11-08

In 1982, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, looking for fresh inspiration, collared touring mate and Rockpile band member Nick Lowe and asked him to produce their new album. The result, T-Bird Rhythm, boasts some of the strongest origninal material and performances since the early, heady days of Girls Go Wild and What's the Word. Kim Wilson, Jimmie Vaughan and company have always been a first-rate dance band and "Tear It Up" is the rocking, flailing, twisting dance number that opens the set. Great riffs from Jimmie and a superfine dance beat laid down by drummer Fran Cristina. Then, "How Do You Spell Love"? M-O-N-E-Y is the answer of course; we've all known plenty of people like that! Vocalist Kim Wilson is at his shouting best in that number and harpist Kim Wilson plays some fine licks in the next number, the r and b standard, "You're Humbugging Me." Fabulous harp groovin'! "My Babe's" beat is ninety miles and hour and, once again, dancers will wear themselves out trying to keep up with it! Killer!! Possibly the best song on the album is the closing number "Gotta Have Some/Just Got Some". Kim belts out a classic TBird swagger as he sings about "I Got to have some....I'm going to get some...Can't live without none....I know you thought I wasn't going to get it...but I just got some!!!" (Some what? Just listen to the song and fill in the blank yourself!) Keith Ferguson, on his last TBirds album as bassist, Fran Cristina on pounding drums, Jimmie Vaughan with great slow blues licks, and Kim on wailing, crying harp make this number a bona-fide classic! Outasite!!! So if you are looking for a great blues-rock album to party, dance, or just to listen to, check out TBird Rhythm today. You'll learn, like so many others, that the way to spell great blues is T-B-I-R-D-S!!!

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous Five Stars for the T-Birds.......2001-01-04

Growing up in the 80's I became sick and tired of hearing the Thunderbirds' overplayed pop hit Ain't That Tuff Enuff. I wanted to discover if ther was any substance to these fellows beyond the "top 40 realm". Lo and Behold there is prior to Tuff Enuff !

This is a highly infectious funkafied rock and blues album.Kim Wilson has a gifted knack for belting out the white boy, blue eyed soul vocals. The only track that may border on tongue in cheek humor is the rap-like spoken The Monkey (about a trio of monkeys sitting in a tree discussing the evolution of man).Gotta Have Some/Just Got Some is a two-in-one-song which is a gritty blues number about a man down and out who by the second phase of the track rises to the top ! Again, Wilson astounds us with his heartfelt take and soulful vocals on the blues. Other material on this project borders on rock-a-billy but seems to do its best when in the rock n' blues mode...The real plus or hidden gem about this type or style of music is that it carries no indication it was produced in 1982. For all the listener knows, this material could have come out of the 50's,60',70's ( even the 90's) It is truly a timeless and classic style or genre by a vastly underrated American rock and roll group.
Butt Rockin'
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Butt Rockin'
  • My introduction to the 'birds...
  • Title says it all
 Butt Rockin'
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Manufacturer: Benchmark Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
Texas BluesTexas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
Blues RockBlues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
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  1. T-Bird Rhythm
  2. What's the Word
  3. Girls Go Wild
  4. Tuff Enuff
  5. Tacos Deluxe

ASIN: B000056B52
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

  1. I Believe I'm In Love
  2. One's Too Many
  3. Give Me All Your Lovin'
  4. Roll, Roll, Roll
  5. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White
  6. I Hear You Knocking
  7. Tip On In
  8. I'm Sorry
  9. Mathilda
  10. Tell Me Why
  11. In Orbit
  12. Found A New Love
  13. I Got Eyes
  14. Someday You'll Want Me

Album Details

Reissue Includes 3 Added Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Butt Rockin'.......2006-07-07

This music is fantastic, and it's fun to say the title when people ask what you're listening to.

5 out of 5 stars My introduction to the 'birds..........2004-10-15

This was my first Fabulous Thunderbirds record, which I bought in 85...I'd seen the 'birds and Stevie Ray Vaughan on an Austin City Limits show, and while I love SRV, the 'birds got me.

"Butt Rockin'" is one of the early, pre "Tuff Enuff" releases, and this one catches them at their best. Texas blues-rock, upbeat, and the band locked in beautifully.

Kim Wilson is a great harpist, but his voice handles the old stuff as well as the originals well. Jimmie Vaughan, well, what can you say...he put the guitar back in the band, keeping a strong rhythm and laying down some nice lead stuff when needed.

"I Believe I'm In Love," "One's Too Many" and "Matilda" are among the best cuts, but really all of them, even the bonus tracks are great.

5 out of 5 stars Title says it all.......2001-02-15

For my money, the best T-Birds album hands down. One of my all-time fave road CDs too. Buy it!
Tacos Deluxe
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Ultra Kool
 Tacos Deluxe
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Manufacturer: Benchmark Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Texas BluesTexas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
Modern BluesModern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Girls Go Wild
  2. T-Bird Rhythm
  3. Butt Rockin'
  4. Tuff Enuff
  5. What's the Word

ASIN: B0000C0FFD
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

  1. You Ain't Nothing But Fine
  2. Marked Deck
  3. Wait On Time (Live)
  4. She's Tuff
  5. Can't Tear It Up Enuff'
  6. One's Too Many
  7. I Believe I'm In Love
  8. Scratch My back
  9. Low-Down Woman
  10. My Babe
  11. I Can't Quit You Baby (Live)
  12. C-Boy's Blues
  13. Los Fabulosos Thunderbirds

Product Description

1. You Ain't Nothin' But Fine
2. Marked Deck
3. Wait On Time Live (Never Released)
4. She's Tuff
5. Can't Tear It UP Enuff'
6. One's Too Many
7. I Believe I'm In Love
8. Scratch My Back
9. Low-Down Woman
10. My Babe
11. I Can't Quit You Baby Live (Never Released)
12. C-Boy's Blues
13. Los Fabulosos Thunderbirds

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Ultra Kool.......2004-08-11

Party music for the ultra-kool. This is a great collection you will love!
If Love Was Born to Die
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • pretty good
  • These Christians know how to JAM!
  • This Is A Band Of Bands In A Land Of Bands
  • Still Remains = Hardcore at its best
  • WOW, totally didnt expect something this good...
 If Love Was Born to Die
Still Remains
Manufacturer: Benchmark (Soh)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Of Love and Lunacy
  2. Revelations of the Unsung
  3. When Breath Escapes
  4. The Fall of Rome
  5. The Darkest Red

ASIN: B0002JUXD8
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

  1. Six and One
  2. Recovery
  3. I Can Revive Him with My Own Hands
  4. The Task
  5. Light Through The Skin

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars pretty good.......2005-06-02

Still Remains' debut album, "If Love Was Born to Die" is certainly one that will appeal to fans of not only hardcore, but also straight up metal and rock fans. Hailing from the Midwest, it is surprising that something good has come from that area besides serial killers (a joke). Still Remains certainly kicks in the jams for the majority of these tracks. The opening track, "Six and One," definitely shows what this band brings to the table: good melody, catchy riffs, and well-done vocals. The main gripe about this album is that it sounds a lot like Bleeding Through, which is not a bad thing, but does nothing to bring originality to the band. The star track on this album is "Light Through Skin", which possesses one hell of a catchy chorus, where the keyboards nicely harmonize the guitar riff.

The keyboards on this album almost go in hand in hand with the music, yet fails at some points. Personally, keyboards in a hardcore band or a metal band in this case does not bring an immediate smile to my face, especially as heard in early Bleeding Through albums, where the keyboards were totally out of place. In "Recovery", the keys try to heighten the intensity of the track, but only make the song sound a bit cheesy. In addition, with the album being only 6 tracks long, the last track is a two and a half minute long piano epilogue, which cuts the number of real songs down to 5, which lessens the effect this album has on me.

Vocally, the screams are well done, reminiscent of Bleeding Through. Good, throaty vocals is to be expected with the occasional singing section all hardcore bands cannot leave out nowadays.

Overall, Still Remains comes out relatively strong with this release. With good guitar riffs, harmonizations by the keyboards, and strong vocals, these guys have the ability to come out strong in the scene.

5 out of 5 stars These Christians know how to JAM!.......2005-03-19

Awesome band. If you're into hardcore then look no further. My favorite tracks are the first three. The intro to "Six and One" just gets your blood flowing and is an awesome opener for a CD. This CD contains mostly screaming, but when the singer sings clean vocals...it's amazing. After getting pounded by this band leaves their listener with a peaceful, soothing outro. The lyrics are very tasteful and poetic, some positive and others saddening...but all of it brought forth to you with brutality. Even though this is an EP I've been listening to it over and over. Can't wait for their new CD in May. Check them both out

5 out of 5 stars This Is A Band Of Bands In A Land Of Bands.......2005-02-17

My favorite band. Six and One is an amazing song and stands out the most in my mind...there's just something about the energy in that song. the rest of the songs are amazing as well. a band that you can get into within a couple of listens. the last song or instrumental peice is worthy of a skip but after that i just replay. but i can't wait till of love and lunacy comes out

5 out of 5 stars Still Remains = Hardcore at its best.......2004-12-21

I've been listening to hardcore music for a very long time and I have never heard a band this good in years, it is a shame that this is only and Ep, but with this release it's quality rather than quanty. if you like bands sucks as Remembering Never, Poison The Well, Across Five Aprils, The (old) Eighteen visions, It Dies Today, And Bleeding Throught you will without a doubt love this cd, and look out for Of Love and Lunacy out sometimes around March 2005 on Road Runner Records, Keyboard never sounded so good in Hardcore.

4 out of 5 stars WOW, totally didnt expect something this good..........2004-10-02

My friend played me this cd, told me it was a christian hardcore band. Immediatly i think "dont wanna hear about jesus", and "theyre gonna sound like Zao". They did neither. I couldnt catch any spiritual lyrics, which still were in there, and they managed to not sound like a Zao ripoff. They have a keyboardist who totally adds a new layer of sound to their stuff. Only problem is, its too short. They are releasing an LP sometime next year. Other than that, totally recommended for anyone who like hardcore, emo, or screamo.
The Pieces
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • What a pleasant surprise!
  • the first review on this page is vapid
  • That's why it is?
  • The Pieces
  • United States Three, Only better
 The Pieces
The Pieces
Manufacturer: Benchmark (Soh)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Keep a Secret
  2. Crushing Love

ASIN: B00008NRJH
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

  1. That's Why It Is
  2. The Wait
  3. Lauren
  4. Gentlemen And Big Mistakes
  5. I Just Wanna Be Loved
  6. Good Question
  7. What You Want
  8. Soda Machine
  9. Croque Pop
  10. Fireworks (With Report)
  11. The Battle Of Hater Bay
  12. Accept Me

Amazon.com

The strongest track on the debut release from this three-piece Indianapolis band is "The Wait," an upbeat, retro celebration of new love. While fans of light and airy guitar pop will appreciate the Pieces' spare sound and soothing harmonies, mainstream rock lovers might also embrace the band as one of their own. Bassist Heidi Gluck's vocals have a cool gloss not far from that of Sheryl Crow's, and songwriter Vess Ruhtenberg delivers lyrics with a modesty that belies his capabilities; he gets points for his relaxed, confident style. He's also an unabashed romantic. The touching and beautiful "Accept Me" is a winning statement of love, while the bittersweet sentiments of "Croque Pop" are adorned with brassy bits of saxophone and trumpet. "What You Want" lets the singing duo's vocals shine, and lazy rock guitars drive Ruhtenberg's ruminations on life in Tom Petty-like fashion on "That's Why It Is." --Lorry Fleming

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars What a pleasant surprise!.......2006-12-02

I'm a Some Girls (another one of Heidi's bands) fan, so when I came across this cd, I had to have it. Having never previously heard The Pieces, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this album was. Although Heidi is only featured as lead vocalist for a few songs, the entire album is great! "Accept Me," is my personal favorite. This is truly a breath of fresh air for the indie music scene. It's a shame they only released one album.

5 out of 5 stars the first review on this page is vapid.......2006-03-04

"The Pieces mix in some clap-happy pop like the vapid "Lauren""

yeah, right! NOT. I've been writing, playing, producing, & mixing records for over 25 years and the pieces' lauren is the single best track I have heard on an indie record in years. my bandmates & I listened to it everyday on tour for weeks. heidi gluck's sublime vocal combined with a catchy song and letter-perfect production (the guitar lick just before the chorus... YES! obviously, someone listened to rubber soul.) on this one song make this record worth owning. soda machine, accept me, and the way it is all deserve mention.

2 out of 5 stars That's why it is?.......2004-08-02

Indianapolis trio The Pieces don't impress from the very start of their debut, kicking off with basic riffs and unimpressive lyrics. While the music comes to life in some of the songs, the overall feeling is that of a band that could be quite good, but isn't interesting enough to be.

The Pieces mix in some clap-happy pop like the vapid "Lauren" with mild guitar rock like the lazy "That's Why It Is." The latter is apparently an exercise in how many times they can sing the title line before the listeners throw chairs. The self-titled album threatens to blossom with grinding retro "The Wait," catchy "Gentlemen and Big Mistakes" and the quirky "I Just Wanna Be Loved," but somehow it never quite gels.

The Pieces are far from bad, but they are also far from good... for the moment. Their sound isn't generic, but it needs to be matured and resculpted before it can really rock out. They're a little bit rock and a little bit country, but they apparently haven't decided which they would rather be.

Vess Ruhtenberg's voice is a pretty standard male pop-rock voice, calm and pensive. Bassist Heidi Gluck adds her own pleasant vocals, leaving a better impression than Ruhtenberg does. And the lyrics... well, "boring" is too basic a word. Lots of love and melancholy, and not a single well-written phrase.

Instrumentally, the Pieces have everything they need for some really wicked rock. There are some strings, some reverberating riffs, low-key piano melodies and some fairly solid percussion that becomes just a little too awkward. But the Pieces don't quite manage to weave these bits of music together into a cohesive whole, and so it feels weirdly fragmented.

The Pieces have promise, but they don't yet manage to get their act together in their self-titled debut. What they have here is pleasant and sweet, but not enough to be memorable.

5 out of 5 stars The Pieces.......2004-05-26

I saw this band open for Evan Dando in Cleveland last summer and I really enjoyed their show, even though we were late and didn't catch the whole act. On a whim I decided to get their CD, and I'm so pleased! Catchy, infectious, enjoyable songs you can feel cool for liking since nobody but you knows them. And currently used for $.98! With any justice this band will continue to gain notoriety and popularity- definately take the chance so that you can say you knew them first.

5 out of 5 stars United States Three, Only better.......2003-06-26

This album is great. I have been listening to Vess for years. I swiped a promo copy of United States Three "She's the Word" back in 95 or so. I have been listening to it for years. Like the Vulgar Boatmen, Indianapolis has a lot of great bands. Thanks for making an excellent album.
sistermachinegun: 6.0
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Another Great Review
  • SICK'S .0 !!!
  • Familiar Territory
  • 6.0 - Amazing
  • 6.0 IS A 10.0
 sistermachinegun: 6.0
Sister Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Positron! Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Alt IndustrialAlt Industrial | Industrial | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Industrial DanceIndustrial Dance | Industrial | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Indie & Lo FiIndie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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American AlternativeAmerican Alternative | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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  1. Influence
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  3. sistermachinegun: 6.5 The Desert Companion
  4. sistermachinegun: 6.6 Machine
  5. Burn

ASIN: B00005M1X6
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

  1. Automaton
  2. Loser
  3. The Best That You Can Do
  4. Never
  5. Machine I
  6. Ten Minute God
  7. Machine II
  8. Gonna Be Right
  9. Down On Me
  10. What I'm Waiting For
  11. Release
  12. Machine III
  13. Machine (no!)
  14. Machine IV
  15. End

Album Description

Equal parts hard funk and electro-rock, 6.0 is a benchmark for the Chicago sound of the new century. Between Chris Randall's sultry vocal stylings and the fiery Hendrix-meets-Helmet guitar work of Miguel Turanzas (formerly of indie-rock mainstays Catherine), 6.0 pushes the envelope, setting new standards for modern music.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Another Great Review.......2002-10-09

From James Brown is dead and working with many Mainstay industrial groups (KMFDM/PIG) SMG/Chris Randall has refined all his previous work and created a great CD that does not fit into any one Genre of Music type. 23 previous reviews and nothing under 4 stars should tell you, if you made it to here, you'll like this cd purchase. This guy has to be the most underrated musician to come out of Chicago and of course his band mates are complete talents as well. Great vocals and great funk-rock with jazz undertones await your ears.

5 out of 5 stars SICK'S .0 !!!.......2002-08-09

This album is sick! awesome stuff, i dont see why people said this was an average album?!?! This in my opinon is the best S.M.G release since the wax trax! days, and the reason is....it almost feels wax trax-ish. A very good album using a few trippy samples, somewhat like " the torture technique " album, with the smooth/harsh appeal of "burn". Also at the same time flooding the album with its own originality. A very VERY underrated album. If you like the old S.M.G stuff mixed with the new vibes then you should definately look into 6.0 stand out tracks "Machine (no!)" "Down on Me" "Loser" "End"

3 out of 5 stars Familiar Territory.......2002-01-05

I've been a Sister Machine Gun fan since Burn. I have all their albums now, Torture Technique, Sins of The Flesh, Burn, Metropolis, [r]evolution, and now 6.0. After Burn SMG took a definite turn away from the electronic and began exploring the more organic and funky organ, sax, and guitar which was present at such memorable moments on Burn as the first track, Red. This all culminated with [r]evolution, a funky, techno-organic, jazz/dance album full of catchy grooves and simply excellent instrumentation. 6.0 can't help but fall short for me because its such a left turn in what seemed like a natural progression for the band. I say "band" but its actually just Chris Randall because he seems to have dropped them on this album in favor of Miguel Turanzas only. 6.0 isn't the worst album in thw world but it doesn't have the same life and energy that previous efforst did. In the end the album seems shallow and a few brilliant beats here and there don't really get me going. I like SMG (and other bands) because they take me places where I haven't been before musically. 6.0 feels like familiar territory where I was hoping for an undiscovered country.

5 out of 5 stars 6.0 - Amazing.......2001-08-08

This is one of the greatest albums I own, with the possible exception of the other 5 Sister Machine Gun Albums, but I'm not sure. They are all just so great!!!

5 out of 5 stars 6.0 IS A 10.0.......2001-07-11

THE BEST THING NEXT TO SLICE BREAD.
Once I Dreamed of Christmas
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Once I Dreamed of Christmas
    Otis Gibbs
    Manufacturer: Benchmark (Soh)
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Alt-Country & AmericanaAlt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
    General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B000159F7S
    Release Date: 2003-12-16

    Tracks:

    1. Lloyd the Reindeer
    2. Lonely Mistletoe Night
    3. Carl and Mavis
    4. Crap for Christmas
    5. Color Wheel
    6. Man Named Jesus
    7. Lookin' Like a Hippy
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    Thirty Pieces of Silver
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Wheres Your Sense of Sacred...
    • Hard, dark ROCK, The way it should be . . .
    • Solid stoner-doom for the new era...
    		 Thirty Pieces of Silver
    Devil to Pay
    Manufacturer: Benchmark (Soh)
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B0002JUXDI
    Release Date: 2004-08-10

    Tracks:

    1. Mouthful of Spite
    2. The Lamb
    3. Dinosaur Steps
    4. Whores of Babylon
    5. Angular Shapes
    6. Tractor Fuckin' Trailer
    7. The New Black
    8. Swathe
    9. Lowest Common Denominator
    10. Toreador
    11. Valley of the Dogs

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Wheres Your Sense of Sacred..........2006-07-12

    Im in another local band from Indianapolis that has played a few times with this band. And a few times we both played at horrible venues together. But these guys know how to pull it off. Even when the crowd was into a total different genre , they had them going. This is one hell of a cd...BUY IT...Seriously....if you arent influenced to buy it after listening to their 30 second clips...you need to listen to their new stuff on myspace. Or see Them Live...

    You will not be dissapointed by this cd at all.

    5 out of 5 stars Hard, dark ROCK, The way it should be . . . .......2006-03-14

    After hearing the track The Lamb on HardRadio.com I had to look this CD up. I was completely blown away when I found used copies for less than $1. I figured it had to be junk. But I previewed the track on line (30 seconds worth) and for less than $1 said, what the heck and bought it. WOW! Best $1 CD I have ever bought.

    This is very hard, dark rock and roll. Great Stuff. You do not have to be a stoner to listen to this CD and love it. I do agree that there is a Sabath influance here but would also add Tool to that list. Why we aren't hearing this on the radio I have no clue. Maybe just the crappy radio stations in my area.

    My favorite tracks are Valley of the Dogs and Whores of Babylon. Smoking! A close second are The Lamb, Dinosaur Steps, Tractor Trailer, and the New Black.

    If you like heavy distortion, dark tracks that rip you to your core . . . give this CD a try.

    3 out of 5 stars Solid stoner-doom for the new era..........2004-08-20

    Devil to Pay are a name that's been sneaking around the hard-rock underground for many months now. Playing big-and-boozy Black Sabbath inspired stoner-rock-metal the band has written a load of solid riffs and zoned-out lyrics to destroy the mind of any stoner whom might venture to it. These boys can play with a might, weight and aggression that has been mostly nonexistent in the recent times of the stoner/doom metal surge. Most weed-tokin' bands write songs about cosmic cars that sound more garage rock and than brutal rock. Artists like Fu Manchu and Nebula have little to do with this. I dare say this could be described as a more motivated Electric Wizard.

    These boys know how to write a tune. They are probably one of the few "up and coming" bands to write a record that left me hummings riffs and phrases from it the hour after I put it on. From top to bottom the riffs all bear a similar tone - but not TOO similar riffage. This has heavy bounce, witty lyrics and a production value all of it's own. Neither too modern, nor too retro...these boys have captured the vibe of angry stoners worldwide. Qaulity, quality songcraft is contained on this plastic disc to the shock of most I've known.

    I am shocked, I thought this CD would be a barely-passable stoner-romp through the tried and true vibe of Black Sabbath with none of the aggression or strange natures that the original band presented. Devil to Pay have injested the steaming heart of Black Sabbath, and wrapped it in a flesh of cynical humor and attitude lifted straight from the modern age.

    I am highly impressed with these young men...may be the next CD be even better.

    BUY OR DIE!!!

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