Search - Great Plains :: Great Plains

The best album you and everyone else have never heard

Honky Dreadlocks | Somewhere else | 09/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a shame this album wasn't a major commercial hit, because Great Plains might have been one of the best country bands ever. I think I can best describe the band's sound by saying that it's slightly southern/roots-rocked-up country (not arena-rocked-up, like Garth). They're on the fence between country and rock, but with both feet dangling over on the country side.Each song is just a master stroke: A Picture of You, Iola, and Running From the Rain are great up-tempo songs, even if the first two are somewhat melancholy. Check that: A Picture of You is VERY melancholy. Faster Gun, Rodeo Drive, and Take Me to Topeka are outstanding, mid-tempo acoustic-based rockers. Give It Some Time and Oh Sweetness are great ballads. I Can't Fight It Anymore is a lot like Faster Gun, but much more depressing. Rich Man is totally unique on the album: It's downbeat and acoustic, but it has a quirky edge to it.Jack Sundrud is a grade-A songwriter, and an amazing singer. His voice and delivery make each song memorable, specifically the sad ones. Russ Pahl is a great guitarist, and he and Denny Dadmun-Bixby provide good harmony vocals.There's nothing left to say, other than these guys should have had at least as much success as loser acts like Lonestar, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, etc., etc. Commercial success may go to the best-marketed acts, but the truly great works of music are the ones that will hold up over time. Do us all a favor and check this album out. We can't let it fade away!"

Great Plains

Honky Dreadlocks | 04/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fine example of countrified rock or rock-influenced country.
Excellent vocalist....somewhat like Steve Winwood."