Search - Hazeldine :: Doubleback

Finally an american label

Marvin Mckee | Tallahassee, FL United States | 11/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"amazing that a band this incredibly good has such a hard time with the recording industry. another gem to go along with orphans, how bees fly and digging you up (the last two released only on the german label glitterhouse - ...). shawn's voice just seems to get better and better, "smaller" being perhaps the best hazeldine tune ever. nice blend of jangling rockers ("sunset strip") and the classic southwestern hazeldine country sound ("double back"). seems to be a bit more of a studio album than previous efforts - not that that's a bad thing. if you are into alt country music, the complete hazeldine collection is a must."

Starkly Beautiful

Brian D. Rubendall | Oakton, VA | 03/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hazeldine is a country rock band with talent to burn. The sweet harmonies of the bands two female singers give the a unique sound. The music that backs them often recalls the ghost of Gram Parsons with its distinctly western feel. The closest modern comparison I can make is with The Jayhawks' 1992 classic "Hollywood Town Hall." The production by Chris Stamey is impeccable, giving the band a crystaline sound that serves them quite well. Most of the tunes are midtempo, and the album has a strong cohesiveness. The highlights include the opening "Smaller," "Valentine," and "Body and Soul," and though the some of the songs are indistinguishable there is not a bad track in the mix. The CD booklet, however, contains no lyrics sheet and has only the barest minimum of information about the band.Overall, a sweet and starkly beautiful album from one of alt-country's more ecclectic bands."

Well worth seeking out

Marvin Mckee | 12/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Drop whatever it is you are doing and go find anything by this band. Three babes with axes; queens of twang and crunch--whatever you call it, there is no denying the appeal of Hazeldine's unique perspective on Americana music. I would think that fans of Freakwater and the 'No Depression' movement would find much to appreciate here.This is 'high-country' rock, born out of the plateaus of the American West, where the hot summers and cold winters build character--character that comes alive in the inhabitants of Hazeldine's songs, whether they worry about romances that cannot be fixed or horses that cannot be broken.The most recognizable feature of Hazeldine's music however are the close harmonies of singers Shawn Barton and Tanya Lamm. While Doubleback is a fine album and it's about time an American label took interest, it is not quite their best. It's not quite as 'dusty' as previous releases; a fuller rock sound is in place. Plus, one or two songs could have been left off this CD. But the mellow grooves on 'My Lady', 'Smaller' and 'Rostock' will have you swaying. 'Sunset Strip' rocks pretty hard, and contains some memorable lyrics, concerning the singer's wish to see her face on a billboard in Hollywood, while acknowledging that everyone would 'wonder who I am.' Incisive, considering the lack of interest from American listeners. Do yourself a favor and locate How Bees Fly (an amazing debut) or the influence-revealing album of covers, Orphans.I should mention that this is a review of the German import version of Doubleback--the songs are in a different order than the domestic release."