Search - Brinsley Schwarz :: Brinsley Schwarz/Despite It Al

Sounds Like A Great Crosby, Stills And Nash Album

Eric R. Last | San Bruno, CA United States | 10/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of what I have read from critics indicates that the debut album, "Brinsley Schwarz", is this band's weakest album, while praising the second album, "Despite It All", as being a classic of the pub-rock genre. (Both are included on this generous "twofer".) But I disagree entirely with the critical consensus. My favorite Brinsley Schwarz album is the debut. Stylistically it is quite different from their subsequent albums. It lopes along at a languid pace, with lovely harmonies that sound remarkably close to those of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Some of the songs stretch out into lengthy jam sessions, while rarely straying from the relaxed tempos. It sounds a lot like the Grateful Dead, circa "American Beauty"/"Workingman's Dead". The first four songs - Hymn To Me, Shining Brightly, Rock And Roll Woman, and Lady Constant - are terrific. By the second album, "Despite It All", their sound had changed. The songs are shorter, the tempos are faster, the country music influence is more overt. This really is the blueprint for all subsequent Brinsley Schwarz albums. "Country Girl" is generally considered the standout track, although it's a bit too "Hee Haw" for my tastes. Still, all Brinsley Schwarz albums are good, and to get the great debut and the good second album on one CD is a bargain."

Two Great Albums, One Great CD

The Orange Duke | Cupertino, Ca United States | 02/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brinsley Schwartz are best known as the founders of the pub movement, but these albums come from their early country rock period, and surprisingly, they are both excellent. Fans of classic rock artists like The Band, The Dead and The Byrds will find much to admire here, as will fans of modern alt country acts like Wilco and Son Volt. DESPITE IT ALL is better than the eponymous album, because the psychedelic influence is less, but it's a fairly small difference. Tracks of note include `Slow One', `Hymn To Me' `Funk Angel' and especially `Country Girl'. These old albums are hard to find, even in good second hand record shops, so I suggest if you want em, buy em here."