The Love Tractor boys have done it again! This is the second record in less than a year from the Athens, GA band. "Black Hole" was released in April 2005, and a third title will be released on the heels of this one to fini... more »sh the trilogy. (That title will possibly feature Dave Schools of Widespread Panic, Mike Mills of REM, and other guests). Musically Green Winter is very different from 2005's Black Hole. Gone are the harsh tones needed for "Black Hole". On first listen "Green Winter" has a much warmer sound. The song "Wrong Turn" is reminiscent of the Allman Brothers and contains impressive guitar and organ solos. "Inventor of Worlds" sounds like Piper at the Gates of Dawn era Pink Floyd and "Turquoise and Yellow" harkens back to the Love Tractor power pop of the late 80's. There are also elements of Funk, Reggae and T.Rex inspired groove, all brought together in LT's original brand of Psychedelia. The band even does a cover version of the Roxy Music song "Three and Nine" from the Country Life record.« less
The Love Tractor boys have done it again! This is the second record in less than a year from the Athens, GA band. "Black Hole" was released in April 2005, and a third title will be released on the heels of this one to finish the trilogy. (That title will possibly feature Dave Schools of Widespread Panic, Mike Mills of REM, and other guests). Musically Green Winter is very different from 2005's Black Hole. Gone are the harsh tones needed for "Black Hole". On first listen "Green Winter" has a much warmer sound. The song "Wrong Turn" is reminiscent of the Allman Brothers and contains impressive guitar and organ solos. "Inventor of Worlds" sounds like Piper at the Gates of Dawn era Pink Floyd and "Turquoise and Yellow" harkens back to the Love Tractor power pop of the late 80's. There are also elements of Funk, Reggae and T.Rex inspired groove, all brought together in LT's original brand of Psychedelia. The band even does a cover version of the Roxy Music song "Three and Nine" from the Country Life record.
CD Reviews
Great work
Jesse T. Loosbrock | Naperville, IL | 06/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Though I liked 2005's Black Hole a lot, it is easy to hear that Mike Richmond's new lineup is getting better and better at playing together. This album takes you on a trip, drifting effortlessly through the realms of the earthly and the ethereal, floating through the upper atmosphere and into space with such songs as Saturn Rings, and pulling you back down to earth with such songs as Turqoise and Yellow. I also like the cover of 3 and 9 better than the orginial Roxy Music version. Definitely worth a buy."
Stellar, cohesive outing from the re-energized LT
Old Turveydrop | Chapel Hill, NC | 04/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As good as Black Hole was, the re-organized Love Tractor is back with a stonger, more cohesive effort with Green Winter...their second outing in less than a year. The songs and musicianship are first rate, but there is a better flow, the songs fit better together for a stonger album. Definitely one of the best outings from LT regardless of you favorite period. Right up there with Love Tractor and Themes From Venus
Saturn Rings is great opener, and would be the first single, if singles were still released these days. A swirling song that takes the theme of love on a trip through the universe.
Wrong Turn is a Allman Brothers like workout with guitar and keyboard solos woven tastefully into the song.
LT has covered some great songs in the past including Party Train, Neon Lights. 3 and 9, the Roxy Music song, is not one you'd want to cover unless you had something to add. The acoustic guitar and synthesizer version here is one of the highlights of the album.
Green Field Rock is a straightforward Blues tune. Pain and Suffering a humorous look at love with a steady, steady beat.
The album closes with the mournful Green Winter.
If you are a Lover Tractor fan or just a music and musicianship, you owe it to yourself to buy this CD. Hope that Love Tractor goes on tour to support this release and look for the next CD that is apparently close to complete
"
Steve in GA
Steve in GA | 10/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Continued evolution and development of one of Athens, GA's greatest bands. Songwriting continues to be highly creative and the musical chops are at a level never seen in the early L.T. days. This disk is true "fusion" (perhaps a bad choice of words!) in that it captures the myriad musical influences that have touched the band members over the years....from prog to rock to punk to dance....they perhaps have invented their own format. It will be interesting to see where these guys continue to go, given the talent and the no-holds-barred approach to exploration of new terrain. One of the more creative disks you're likely to purchase. Highly recommended."
Best LT ever ! Absolutely fantastic !
Denise | Florida | 06/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got all Love Tractor's stuff. Every single bit.
This is the best record they've ever done, hands down!
Mike's vocals are up front,the drums are big but don't have that cliche' eighties sound.
The songs are smart. It has a variety of cool grooves, and it totally flows from beginning to end. I have it on
" repeat ", and have been chillin' by the pool to it.
"Saturn Rings" is a fave,"Turquoise" and "Pain" are great too. And I cn start 2 see where the story is going. It was hard to see after not having a record for several years and then just hearing "Black Hole" alone( which was kind of a hard rock extention of "Sky at Night")w/ no explanation that it was the turbulent dark beginning of a 'space trilogy' concept thing. With Green Winter, its starting to make sense. ( Those clever fellows r messing with us ! )
The best thing is that along w/ totally new directions, ("Wrong Turn" is a Derek Trucksish jazzy hippie jam w/ flute) its got elements of all the earlier CDs in it too:
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1