Search - Reckless Kelly :: Millican

Ahhh, "Millican"! An astonishingly good debut CD

05/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Early in 1999, a friend handed me this CD wrapped in a napkin and said, "I think you're gonna like this." LIKE it??? I fell deeply and hopelessly in love with Reckless Kelly before "Walton Love" ended, never figuring out if it was because RK had such a unique and fresh sound that fused elements of country and rock with some blues and alternative, or if it was the promise of their future (see "Live at Stubbs" and "The Day".)"Millican's" songs seem deceptively simple. At first blush, "I Still Do" appears to be a sweet little love song; however, Cody's lilting fiddle and mandolin give a rich, distinctive texture that has become signature Reckless Kelly. Don't be fooled, tho - RK can rock with the best of them. Give a loud listen to "Baby's Gone Blues." That guitar intro can rattle your windows.As with all original RK material, the lyrics and melodies are mature, tightly woven (no weak sisters here and even a chuckle or two in "Hey Say May" and "Time Bomb") and mighty damn danceable (it's an involuntary thing - go see RK live and you'll understand). Musicianship is solid and very, very clean. And the harmonies? Well, you just gotta hear Cody and Willy sing, with Chris covering the top end. You almost will feel how much fun they're having."Millican" will probably always be my favorite RK CD. One of my favorite CDs, period. If my copy had started out with grooves like the old albums, it would be smooth as glass today. "Millican" is a guaranteed good time on CD."

Who says country music sucks?

05/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best way to describe the music of Reckless Kelly is "a child of country and alternative." Or "hick rock" as the group likes to call it. And indeed it is. I was actually introduced to them by my father, and I loved it. RK is bridging the generation gap around here. My parents saw RK open for Robert Earl Keen a few months ago. My dad put it best when he said "These young guys got up on the stage and just cooked!" Not only do these guys cook, they cook it well done. In "Baby's Gone Blues" you can almost see the smoke coiling off the fiddle. The music rocks and the lyrics rule. So what if it's country? "Please excuse my hick music" I say as I give a fgirend a ride home. "Hey, this isn't bad," they say in the middle of "It's All Over." Now when ever I drive in the car and somebody is in a jeep blasting rap music. I just blare "Hey Say May," and drown that stuff out. If you've just been dumped, listen to Willy's insanely hilarious lyrics and RK's upbeat music and you'll be over it in no time. It's better than sitting there just waitin' on the blues."