Search - Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers :: Real to Reel

Donde esta los refrescos?

Scott Cooper | 07/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Roger Clyne still knows how to give up the goods, even with the demise of the late, great Refreshments and all the goodness they provided. Gone are so-great-it'll-make-you-cry guitarist Brian Blush and Buddy the bassist, but the new guys certainly hold their own on a great mix of country-mex, heartfelt and pretty damn funny tunes. The live format is great, with just enough between song banter and crowd noise (especially during "tell yer momma") to make it more interesting than a studio version. Great version of "Mekong" off the original, limited run Wheelie disc [note to Refreshments fans: give Fizzy Fuzzy away and track down a copy of the real McCoy]and a livlier version of "Horses", off the underappreciated Bottle & Fresh Horses album. If you still wish the Refreshments hadn't headed south of the border, get this one. It won't light quite the same fire under your enchilada, but some spicy sauce is always better than none.Gracias."

Near perfect peacemakers

diana | usa | 03/07/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"the raw powerful vocals are acompanied by one of the best alt-country bands that has ever been assembled. the songwriting is original and extremely creative. while a few songs on the album are a bit eccentric and comical, it is in a good way. i cant believe a major record label hasnt signed this band!! they are one of the best i have heard in a long time, and i hope the world gets a chance to hear their music. they will probably be as blown away as i am :)"

Roger Clyne- Folk Hero

M. Morse | New York | 01/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Roger Clyne is our Bob Dylan.
Big bold statement, you say? Insupportable, you mutter? I, however, contend that if Roger Clyne had the inclination to live in NYC and the advantage of Dylan's booming scene, we'd be hearing much more from this supremely talented singer/songwriter. Instead, CLyne prefers to stick close to his native Arizona. While that's bad news for his fans in the northeast, one can't complain too much when the man writes such bewilderingly great songs. Nearly every song on the live "Real to Reel" is a polished pop/country gem (With one regrettable selection- "Beautiful Disaster", a supposed homage to Springsteen's "Born to Run", just sounds as though Clyne ripped off The Boss to lesser effect)Reading the lyrics to the disc's best track ("Green and Dumb") reveals Clyne's gift for phrasing and imagery: "I haunt her house from the outside; watch her bake cornbread and talk on the phone. THe wireless on the inside sings a sad, sweet song. A mute, moonlit statue am I..She waltzes alone."Veering from the melancholy to the funny and almost gleefully bizarre, Clyne's newest material builds on everything he learned from his time with The Refreshments, and then adds a healthy layer of dirt and grit to the proceedings. A great album."