The Curdogs ""The Curdogs"" (Firewood Records/ Independent, 2009)
Music based in rural surroundings where down trodden tales and struggle to get away from the tedium of a one-horse town create the backdrop for this set blue-collar tales.
With jangling guitars and lots of imagery of the road, the duo (and friends) take in the small towns and honky tonk bars scattered along the highway in and around their native Ohio.
Possessing a good deal of energy and matching grit, Jeff German and Tal Lohr hit the boards running in a fashion similar to Kentucky’s good ol’ boy Chris Knight. As in ‘Before It’s Gone’ that talks of having a guitar in my head and how little happens around here —they make music and sing about things they believe in. Honest and true to the roots of the music the duo, formed last year occasionally become a little stereo typed.
The earthy, naked emotion styled lead vocals of Lohr like that of German (lead / baritone guitar) plus Craig Barnett (guitar), Christopher Haverlock (drums) and Brian Henderson (bass) alongside his own six-string make strong, unyielding music. That is best served through ‘Feels Like Yesterday’ and on pulling back a little to allow the lyrics make a greater than ever impression —‘Set Some Down’. A song that talks of life is getting heavy. Heavy enough for him to sell his wedding ring and have a gun and when he reaches the liquor store looking for a bottle of Crow whisky it is closed!
Closing cut, ‘Fifteen Minutes Of Fame’ has a stripped down, acoustic feel and with my earlier thoughts still fresh it is a much needed and excellent choice.
With them being together as an act for such a short time the prospects look better (certainly more promising than the guy in the opening track ‘What The Future Might Bring’) than good. I for one look forward with anticipation to their full debut — the clock is ticking.
Date review added: Monday, March 30, 2009
Reviewer: Maurice Hope
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link: http:/www.myspace.com/tallohr
2009 AmericanaUK
The Curdogs ""The Curdogs"" (Firewood Records/ Independent, 2009)
4/5/2014 7:09:34 PM