This is one of the oddest CDs I�ve ever listened to. Whether it�s a deliberate technique on his part or not, Andr� Ethier occasionally conjures up visions of a loud, lurching, out-of-tune drunk jockeying a marble in his mouth while howling at the moon. That remark sounds derogatory, I know, but it�s actually meant as a compliment, given that this vocal approach is perfectly suited to particular tracks. Although my research pulled up quite a bit of ink on the much-lauded Deadly Snakes (Mr. Ethier�s previous kid-band) but no actual sound samples, it would seem, from reviews of their three released CDs, that Andr� has continued in a similar pattern of songwriting here.
Some of these foot-stompin�, honky-tonkin� saloon tunes are extremely derivative of early Bob Dylan and the Stones, with a little bit of Creedence Clearwater Revival (�Little Saddy�), Leon Russell (�Crazy May, Dirty Dave�), Tom Waits and even Billy Joel (�Last Line�) thrown in for good measure. Certainly, with influences like those, these original compositions merit appreciation for their own sake. �Sinners� has a Parisian sound to it, which I�m guessing would originate from Mr. Ethier�s francophone roots.
Instrumentally, Andr� performs on acoustic guitar and ukelele, and his musical cohort, Christopher Sandes, is the consummate piano-man, also contributing on electric guitar and vocals. �Pickles and Price� is one busy kick-ass rhythm section (bass and drums).
Musically raunchy and rollicking, this is music to drown the sorrows of a broken heart or just simply to appease the desire for old-fashioned campfire fun. Frankly, it�s a hoot! |
