Like Joe Ely, Lucinda Williams, and Dave Alvin, the BoDeans suffer in the peculiar purgatory of being loved by critics and fellow musicians and pretty much ignored by the public at large. Neither side of that equation is l... more »ikely to change with Go Slow Down, an album whose rocking hooks and soulful singing are likely to make music insiders salivate with pleasure and whose old-fashioned, homemade rock and roll sound is likely to leave radio and MTV cold. This is an album so good that it justifies the critics' constant comparisons of the BoDeans to Creedence and the Band, but this is not a friendly market for Creedence and Band reincarnations. --Geoffrey Himes« less
Like Joe Ely, Lucinda Williams, and Dave Alvin, the BoDeans suffer in the peculiar purgatory of being loved by critics and fellow musicians and pretty much ignored by the public at large. Neither side of that equation is likely to change with Go Slow Down, an album whose rocking hooks and soulful singing are likely to make music insiders salivate with pleasure and whose old-fashioned, homemade rock and roll sound is likely to leave radio and MTV cold. This is an album so good that it justifies the critics' constant comparisons of the BoDeans to Creedence and the Band, but this is not a friendly market for Creedence and Band reincarnations. --Geoffrey Himes
"In a just world, these guys would be all over the radio and MTV. Of course, nowadays, the really *good* music is NOT to be had in those places. You have to dig deeper!Well, if you're on this page, you have dug deep enough to find the BoDeans, one of the best unsung bands around. "Go Slow Down," while not their best work (I still think that "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams" retains that title), is nonetheless resplendent with very-good-to-stellar songwriting and clean, tight playing.The best songs on the album, in my opinion, are the first five. After that, a slight bit of steam is lost, with the exception of "Stay On." But the entire album is still eminently enjoyable, and it is an especially great "driving album." (To quote Texas Ride Song: "Let's go, shall we/On through the Majesty." Great road trip music!I also want to say that "In Trow" is one of the neatest little instrumental pieces I have ever heard, and I wish it was longer than it is.Despite some songs that don't quite measure up to the first five, there is enough great homegrown, guitar-driven rock and roll and uplifting harmonies to justify this purchase and then some."
Infectious and Energizing
Aranion | Dayton, OH United States | 01/03/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like many listeners, I first encountered the BoDeans courtesy of the Fox show "Party of Five," as that show took "Closer to Free" as its theme. I borrowed the CD from the library, and have since purchased my own copy.The BoDeans don't try to reinvent the wheel or to (purposefully) blaze new trails musically. They simply play and sing their hearts out, and it shows. I would liken this to a great bar band, and I mean that in the best sense of the phrase: a band in touch with everyday people, their longings, and their need to clap and sing along with great music. Many of the songs are laced with a bittersweet taste, but that makes them only that much more enjoyable, as life is like that as well.The first four songs alone make the CD worth purchasing -- I dare you to listen to them and not dance in the car or in your living room as they play. You'll be strumming that air guitar and swaying in place before you realize it. "Closer to Free" is basic and fun, and begs to be blared at high volumes. The next two songs, "Save a Little" and "Texas Ride Song" compel you clap and sing along, as well as grab the lyrics sheet so you know the words next time you listen to them. The Bodeans show their ability to take guitars and drums and construct amazingly infections pieces here. "Go Slow Down" is a slow, intense piece about a couple's physical closeness.It's after these four songs that the CD lags a bit, but "Stay On" and "Feed the Fire" help pick up the pace and your attention.If you like catchy, guitar-driven rock with heartfelt lyrics and rhythms, this album is a must-have."
A band which doesn't limit itself to the simple IV chords th
A. Anderson | duluth,mn | 06/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is brilliant stuff! Each song is superb! This band really is great and has a different style from anything ive ever heard before. The greatest thing about the music is how "blended" it sounds. There is nothing i can think of criticising (sp?). One thing you should know, however is that the song The Other Side is quite disturbing (it talks about commiting suicide), although the instrumentation is still very good."
Pure Gold Nugget Buried in a Pop Landscape
K. K. Smith | Half Moon Bay, CA | 03/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I realize I've come around to being a Bodeans fan late in the game, but bear with me. I'm slow but I do learn.
I used to live in Sonoma County in California. There's a funky little radio station there called The Krush that plays whatever they please, pretty much. I first caught the Bodeans on that station and did what I usually do when I first sample a new group -- I bought a 'best of' album called "Slash and Burn". My favorite cut on that album is "Fadeaway". It's one of my favorite songs to play when I'm heading out on a road trip.
I bought "Go Slow Down" at a used CD store without hearing any of the cuts beforehand. I love it. What finally turned me into a major fan was the way they seem to be able to veer between genres such as heavy blues, country, zydeco and light pop.
I really dislike being hammered by the same sound time after time on every album cut. Even too much of a good thing wears me out, so I like it when a band plays with my mood by altering the sound.
The Bodeans are a real treasure. If all you ever listen to are Top of the Pops sorts of radio stations, you'll probably never hear these guys and you're probably not the sort of person who could appreciate them. On the other hand, if your favorite thing is discovering a nugget of pure gold buried in the pop landscape, get a Bodeans album."