Search - 5 Chinese Brothers :: Let's Kill Saturday Night

Brilliant Insanity

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 10/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD grabs you instantly, shakes you around, soothes you like a lullaby and then rocks out. While hard to categorize, it's worth seeking for this CD. The title track rocks hard, "I got a Mustang loaded, I got a wrong to right, I got a little red bullet, let's kill Saturday night." Splitting electric guitar propels the lyric to "It's a Secret," "Someone's got to tell me about these sexual relations; Someone's making love & I'm just making conversation." "Three Cool Guys" has a cajun country flavor; and "Any Love for You has Turned to Hate" is a peppy country ditty. The Brothers smolder on the slower "Marionette" with a passionate vocal, "If you let me, I'll sleep on your floor." "Look At It Rain" is a country song Johnny Horton (Battle of New Orleans) would have loved. The next rack is the bouncy "That's What I Would Do," "If I could take back all the stupid things I said, if I could make you happy instead of trying to make you laugh." "Product of Dysfunction" is twangy tune you could square dance to in group therapy. A mean electric lead guitar rocks "I'm Not Finished Yet," "I never was the nicest guy you've ever met." An accordian lends a cajun air to "Midnight at the Liberty" about a kid smoking an illegal substance at a concert. "Big Boots" is a working man's rocker, a laborer's theme song. One of my favorites is the great pop tune "Blue Boy." The kids look at blue boy on tv & suspect that he's not real and say that's the way I want to be." The repeated chorus of "look at that train" shoots out machine gun style. "I Call My Pain by Your Name" is a pedal steel weeper. "I Can See" rocks on. The CD closes with the country ballad of mismatched love, "The boy from New York City, The Girl from Tennessee." Five Chinese Brothers are in top form with this CD. If you like Delbert McClinton or Fred Eaglesmith, this will be required listening. Enjoy!"

Amiable

James Carragher | New York | 03/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"5 Chinese Brothers is one of my favorite names for a group ever. (They are not, of course, Chinese, nor are there five of them, but take their name from the children's book popular in the 50s and 60s -- and maybe still, I haven't checked.) And the music is not bad either, mostly ear-pleasing easy country rock. Pretty unique too because all band members have at least one songwriting credit on the disc, with the bulk of the writing done by lead singer Tom Meltzer and bassist Paul Foglino. Both are talented, don't take themselves too seriously, and have a nice dollop of humor. I don't recall ever hearing a hambone (track 6) before, but otherwise the instruments are bascically three guys on guitars, another on drums, with some keyboards also tossed in. Best cuts are the opening cover Robbie Fuchs title song, the tongue in cheek Three Cool Guys, Look at it Rain, Product of Dysfunction, and I Call My Pain By Your Name. Not immediately grabbing, but well worth a listen."

A thinking persons music

carolyn hutsell | Franklin, Tn | 08/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unreal lyrics. Obviously crafted by song writers who know the written word and can pull the best out of language. Every line is an experience. Only buy this cd if you have a love of first rate music and lyrics. A must have for the serious music lover. Musical execution is first class."