On "Beneath the Country Underdog," Hogan gets the backing she deserves from insurgent country ass-kickers The Pine Valley Cosmonauts (featuring members of The Waco Brothers, The Mekons, and The Bottle Rockets) --with made-... more »in-Chicago production by misanthropic Welsh badboy, Jon Langford. These 11 tracks -- ranging from Hogan?s haunting originals, to covers of Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson, and The Magnetic Fields -- also feature a slew of hipster/hickster guest stars, including Neko Case, Edith Frost, John Wesley Harding, and Robbie Fulks.« less
On "Beneath the Country Underdog," Hogan gets the backing she deserves from insurgent country ass-kickers The Pine Valley Cosmonauts (featuring members of The Waco Brothers, The Mekons, and The Bottle Rockets) --with made-in-Chicago production by misanthropic Welsh badboy, Jon Langford. These 11 tracks -- ranging from Hogan?s haunting originals, to covers of Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson, and The Magnetic Fields -- also feature a slew of hipster/hickster guest stars, including Neko Case, Edith Frost, John Wesley Harding, and Robbie Fulks.
"Sassy country with a strong R&B underpinning, this album offers a good variety.Interesting choice of covers - Johnny Paycheck to lo-fi hero Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields).Kelly is an energetic singer - the backing band is loose and grooving.Fans of Neko Case, Dusty in Memphis, possibly even early Lone Justice, will enjoy this gem."
Not as graceful as the ashes rising from this fire...
scott | Pine Valley, USA | 12/12/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"...but still pretty good. It would be all too easy to say that this album represents a departure of sorts for Kelly Hogan, but that presumes that we know where she was before. Her muscial tastes have always been a bit eclectic. Not as strong as "The Whistle Only Dogs Can Hear" (she must like dogs), but more consistent as she stays mainly on a country road. My faves would include "Still can't believe youre gone", "Mystery" and "Papa was a Rodeo." I'm not really sure where Pine Valley is, but once you've heard this album, you might think you've been there. It's a good place to be. For $15 you can see what I mean."
Voice of an angel
Mark E. Gammon | Des Moines, IA | 07/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Kelly Hogan has a lovely, lovely voice -- and she also has a great deal of taste. The backing band, especially guitarist Andy Hopkins, has a nice groove; the covers are well chosen; and the voice never falters. It's not a perfect album, but only because Hogan likes to push and experiment, covering all kinds of music without anything holding the record together as a whole. Still, highly recommended."
Get this right now!
Jess | San Francisco, CA United States | 04/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Since I got this cd about a week ago, it has not left my cd player. The songs range from a feisty Johnny Paycheck cover to a sweet Percy Sledge number. Kelly's voice is fabulously suited to both and to everything else in between. This cd is a must have for everyone that's ever been dumped. Just slap it in the stereo and sing along at the top of your lungs!"