Corey

Sharek

 

So we’re driving north on FM 423 toward Highway 380 en route to a favorite Chicken Dinner House in Sanger, Texas, when I finally get the chance to pop this disc into the dash panel.

I look at the missus, the better half and my co-conspirator, to gauge her initial reaction to see if it mirrors mine.  It does.  I say to her with a sly grin, and insuppressible sarcasm, "Do you like Pat Green, but don’t want all the calories?  Then Cooder Graw's got just the album for you!”  As much as I was just cracking a joke, it alarmed me how much I felt that I hit the nail on the head.

To answer the question right up front: Is this a bad record?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!

What this record is, to distill it down to its truest form, is a 65 minute and 46 second homage to the music we love and share.  But it wears its most prominent influence on its sleeve for the world to appraise.

It starts out with a well-executed amalgam of country music and modern metal.  “Clarksdale” is heavier than we’re used to, but not at all off-putting.  It reminds me of Skynyrd’s album 1991 with acoustic guitars and easier vocals, not very hooky, but full of great riffs and non-standard progressions.  This song takes chances, and I think the gamble’s worthwhile.

“Lifetime Stand” hits a topic that few albums in the modern day seem to embrace.  The acceptance of the life changes that age brings forth.  That, coupled with the longing for lifetime accompaniment, leads to a song that will speak to those not yet where they want to be.

The title track has all the makings of being a slam-dunk, but paradoxically, the vocals leave much to desire in terms of energy and electricity of delivery.  That opinion notwithstanding, this is a great tune ready to be done justice.

The guys of Cooder Graw have no issue taking on tough topics.  “That Girl Crystal” is a testament to their moxie.  This is an extremely clever oratorio on a theme no one has touched: methamphetamines.  If you do nothing else, find the lyrics and read them completely.

How’s this for a plotline: Boy meets girl.  Boy marries girl.  Boy keeps girl on the side.  Side girl pines for boy.  What a great theme for a honky-tonkin’ song! “He Ain’t Ever Gonna Leave Her” is that song.  Again, short on flame and smoke, but the right kindling for a fire.

It’s a shame that “Ugly Angel” is so lackadaisical in it’s laying to tape.  This is yet another “potential” track, but this time the chorus kills its momentum.

“Next To The Truth (Chiclets)”, “Tomorrow’s Milk”, “(Welcome to) The End of the Road” and “I’ve Got Kids” are key examples of the sleeved influences.  Familiar, comfortable and, like a broken-in couch, a great destination to round out the day.

“Afraid of the Dark” reminds me of Guy Clark mixed with Willie Nelson when they were both younger and not quite settled into their sound.  This is an atypical song for this record…and one of its higher points.  It’s always nice to witness a penman getting introspective without being self-absorbed.

“Dirty and Sober” waxes a bit of the similar poetic that “Afraid of the Dark” does, only with an entirely different internal conflict.  The ambiguity of the subject matter leaves the listener searching for his or her own personal meaning.

“These Many Moons” did little for me as a song, but is a capable segue to the hidden track.
Did I say hidden track?  I guess the secret’s out.

If I can say nothing else, these guys have some brass to cover “Come Pick Me Up” from Ryan Adam’s Heartbreaker record.  They were close enough to the original to stay true, yet made it their own in all aspects.  The license they took was neither too alienating to those who know this song nor too similar to make covering it pointless.  All I have to say is, well done, men.

After spending weeks listening and learning this record and of this band, I think I have a grasp of this effort.  I can say that this record is not the motivation behind Cooder Graw’s skyrocketing popularity, but I can understand the reason for their rise.  There are things that could have been done to make it one of those recordings that makes a band’s catalog that I feel were missed along the way.

What do I feel this record needs to be closer to perfection?  A bump at about 200hz, a few more hooks and more enthusiasm.  As you read above, the songwriting has some high points, the performance exemplifies professionalism, and the overall essence is delivered.  But this author would probably not add this to his personal CD collection had it not been for the hidden cover tune.

Grade:  B-

Corey Sharek, May, 2005

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Click here to read an earlier review of Cooder Graw by Miss Lana

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