With a name like the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, you might expect this San Diego quartet to play amphetamine-fueled, Sun Records-style rockabilly music. In fact, the group's 2001 debut owed more to Waylon Jennings than th... more »e Man in Black (though Cash did give his blessing for the band to appropriate his name). This time around, the Bastards' sound has even less to do with their legendary namesake. Distance Between has a few countryish numbers ("Marfa Lights," a cover of Lefty Frizzell's "Long Black Veil"), but the overall sound is much less twangy and the apparent inspiration is the roots-rock of Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle. Singer-writer Mark Stuart often sounds like a slightly countrified version of the former, particularly on "Monte Carlo," an ode to his 1970 muscle car, and "Burn Down," a melancholy rocker about trying to leave the past behind. "Distance Between" and "Wind It Up" recall Earle in his Copperhead Road period. And that's just the problem: Stuart's influences are just a little too obvious, and the result is that Distance Between has a been-there, done-that feel to it. --David Hill« less
With a name like the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, you might expect this San Diego quartet to play amphetamine-fueled, Sun Records-style rockabilly music. In fact, the group's 2001 debut owed more to Waylon Jennings than the Man in Black (though Cash did give his blessing for the band to appropriate his name). This time around, the Bastards' sound has even less to do with their legendary namesake. Distance Between has a few countryish numbers ("Marfa Lights," a cover of Lefty Frizzell's "Long Black Veil"), but the overall sound is much less twangy and the apparent inspiration is the roots-rock of Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle. Singer-writer Mark Stuart often sounds like a slightly countrified version of the former, particularly on "Monte Carlo," an ode to his 1970 muscle car, and "Burn Down," a melancholy rocker about trying to leave the past behind. "Distance Between" and "Wind It Up" recall Earle in his Copperhead Road period. And that's just the problem: Stuart's influences are just a little too obvious, and the result is that Distance Between has a been-there, done-that feel to it. --David Hill
The beautiful brutality of the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash
Melissa | Wilsonville, AL USA | 02/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first came upon this CD, I thought it might be a tribute album. So I looked to see which songs were on it. Much to my surprise, I only found one cover, "Long Black Veil" (which after listening to it, I think Mike Ness does better). Knowing little more about this group than what I could gather from the packaging, I bought the CD. This methodology is usually pretty hit or miss, more miss than hit unfortunately. But this time, it paid off. Mark Stuart's raspy vocals drive these songs home. It's caustic tone pays tribute to the lyrics of these heartbroken and wandering anthems. "Wind It Up" is perhaps the best driving song I have heard in a long time. This is the kind of song that makes you want to hop in your car, put the top down, and hit the highway. On the other hand, while I liked the song, "Beautiful Cage," the reverberating modem sound in the background gets quite annoying. But, my favorite song on this album is "Where I Found You." I am not usually a fan of love songs, but this is the best one I have heard in a long time. It has no frills. It is just an honest, beautiful, simple song and that is what makes it so endearing.This album seems to suggest a new strain of music, because it does not easily slide into any given category. If this is the direction music is heading, maybe the musical dark ages are finally coming to an end.The genius of this CD is its simplicity. It is raw, powerful, and ballsy. Buy it!"
An Album Worthy of My Top Ten
Jason Ziemianski | Los Angeles | 09/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just picked up this record and it is truly a great collection of country songs. From a real Americana/Country feel to a current Springsteen vibe the Bastards mix it up like most country artists are afraid to today. I would say they have branched out well past the country classification. Contemporary country artists could only aspire to be as bold as the Bastards. I can only imagine what is in store for us with their next record. It's nice to see artists that experience real growth between albums. These Bastards have set the bar damn high for all who follow them."
Pleasant Surprise
Jeremy C. Simms | Shepherdsville, KY United States | 11/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I picked this album up on a recommendation of a friend. I was pleasantly surprised. They bleed well outside the genre of country into a wonderful gray area. The setting of the album must have contributed to the haunting tracks. If that piques your curiosity, buy it. Watch the videos on the enhanced CD. Enjoy."
Good tunes
blue moon of KY | philadelphia, PA | 08/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is different than I thought it would be, but different in a good way. I had only heard them cover Cash songs but was pleasantly surprised with their own original sound. The lead vocals are different than the man in black but have that familiar deep tone. This cd has remained in my player since I got it and it is easy to listen to the entire thing straight through."