DEBONZO BROTHERS – ONE DAMN HEART
2012 – Self Released
3.5***
This is a very good album despite occasionally overflowing with a wash of sound that seems to obscure some of the quality, almost as if it has been ‘over produced.’ This despite the fact that with music and vocals of this quality further adornment is unnecessary. The sound is a little dense and muffled on occasions, with the vocals seeming a little too far back in the mix, yet everything else about the album ranges from being very good to tremendous! Jeff Debonzo’s vocals are as near perfect for this type of music as artists such as
messrs Adams, Tweedy and Farrar, being warm and atmospheric, whilst the harmonies with brother Keef are a match made in heavan. In fact, whilst I’m far from being a fan of the Eagles, I must admit their vocals were second to none and these are in that class. The playing is good and whilst there is that little concern about the sound, this is very close to being a great album with even the lesser songs being very good, but there are several, particularly ‘story’ songs such as the historical Jesse James
and the beautiful sad murder/suicide true story 1905, that are so exceptional you can
actually lose yourself in the pictures and stories they conjure up.
The band consists of the already mentioned Jeff and Keef Debonzo who both handle vocals and guitars, as well as all of the songwriting, Chris Hibbard is on drums, Jimmy Thompson, bass and Jay Shirley on organ. Their sound in the main can be considered alt. country but occasionally veers into more of a rootsy indie feel that on a couple of tracks includes what feels like a little psychedelic experimentation. All this adds a little diversity to the album and whilst it is not hugely original (what is?) there is a certain individuality in the way the songs are constructed and the use of the instrumentation.
The album kicks off with Break My Heart Tonight, a terrific alt. country ballad with some nice guitar sounds, but the instrumentation feels a little too busy at times although the chiming guitar break is tremendous. The melody and vocals are as good as, and have similarities to, Whiskeytown era Ryan Adams. A really good atmospheric tale of confusion and heartbreak. Jesse James
and1905, are brilliant songs, as already alluded to, with the former having a gorgeous haunting mellow sound on an excellent steel guitar accompanied sad story song about the old wild western
legend with again, a gorgeous melody and vocals. We all know by now how the story ends but it is a beautiful, memorable song. 1905 is a lesser known story, certainly in the UK, and is another tremendous and haunting sad song. It benefits hugely from a much more sparse sound, with a gorgeous dobro and fiddle giving a lovely haunting feel to this true story of a murder (or suicide) that subsequently led to an execution, making this one of the album highlights. Album closer Bobbie Jean has a nice chunky bass sound on a quirky song that is a little reminiscent of ‘XTC,’ and probably more indie than country, on a tale of college boy who meets a girl, falls in love and realizes you can’t hold on to a dream! The Road and Lake Placid are both lovely haunting ballads as is Great Update, with it’s nice chiming guitar sound although a little psychedelic experimentation starts to creep in two thirds of the way through.
All in all, an excellent album of warm, at times mellow, but always with a little edginess, alt. country, that without the slight concern about the production would have been awarded a higher rating and could possibly still do so with further listening! It’s one of those albums that will in all probability continue to grow on me. You can’t say that about very many recordings!
http://www.debonzobrothers.com
3.5***
This is a very good album despite occasionally overflowing with a wash of sound that seems to obscure some of the quality, almost as if it has been ‘over produced.’ This despite the fact that with music and vocals of this quality further adornment is unnecessary. The sound is a little dense and muffled on occasions, with the vocals seeming a little too far back in the mix, yet everything else about the album ranges from being very good to tremendous! Jeff Debonzo’s vocals are as near perfect for this type of music as artists such as
messrs Adams, Tweedy and Farrar, being warm and atmospheric, whilst the harmonies with brother Keef are a match made in heavan. In fact, whilst I’m far from being a fan of the Eagles, I must admit their vocals were second to none and these are in that class. The playing is good and whilst there is that little concern about the sound, this is very close to being a great album with even the lesser songs being very good, but there are several, particularly ‘story’ songs such as the historical Jesse James
and the beautiful sad murder/suicide true story 1905, that are so exceptional you can
actually lose yourself in the pictures and stories they conjure up.
The band consists of the already mentioned Jeff and Keef Debonzo who both handle vocals and guitars, as well as all of the songwriting, Chris Hibbard is on drums, Jimmy Thompson, bass and Jay Shirley on organ. Their sound in the main can be considered alt. country but occasionally veers into more of a rootsy indie feel that on a couple of tracks includes what feels like a little psychedelic experimentation. All this adds a little diversity to the album and whilst it is not hugely original (what is?) there is a certain individuality in the way the songs are constructed and the use of the instrumentation.
The album kicks off with Break My Heart Tonight, a terrific alt. country ballad with some nice guitar sounds, but the instrumentation feels a little too busy at times although the chiming guitar break is tremendous. The melody and vocals are as good as, and have similarities to, Whiskeytown era Ryan Adams. A really good atmospheric tale of confusion and heartbreak. Jesse James
and1905, are brilliant songs, as already alluded to, with the former having a gorgeous haunting mellow sound on an excellent steel guitar accompanied sad story song about the old wild western
legend with again, a gorgeous melody and vocals. We all know by now how the story ends but it is a beautiful, memorable song. 1905 is a lesser known story, certainly in the UK, and is another tremendous and haunting sad song. It benefits hugely from a much more sparse sound, with a gorgeous dobro and fiddle giving a lovely haunting feel to this true story of a murder (or suicide) that subsequently led to an execution, making this one of the album highlights. Album closer Bobbie Jean has a nice chunky bass sound on a quirky song that is a little reminiscent of ‘XTC,’ and probably more indie than country, on a tale of college boy who meets a girl, falls in love and realizes you can’t hold on to a dream! The Road and Lake Placid are both lovely haunting ballads as is Great Update, with it’s nice chiming guitar sound although a little psychedelic experimentation starts to creep in two thirds of the way through.
All in all, an excellent album of warm, at times mellow, but always with a little edginess, alt. country, that without the slight concern about the production would have been awarded a higher rating and could possibly still do so with further listening! It’s one of those albums that will in all probability continue to grow on me. You can’t say that about very many recordings!
http://www.debonzobrothers.com