Search - Cash Brothers :: Raceway

An undiscovered gem

Patrick Wilkins | Oxford United Kingdom | 09/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's difficult to convey just how much of an undiscovered gem the Cash Brothers have produced with "Raceway". I first picked up the trail after hearing a track on a sampler CD given "free" with magazine in the UK, and my efforts in tracking down the full length CD were rewarded beyond all expectation. The points of reference would be the usual "Alt-Country" suspects of Neil Young, Gram Parsons, the Byrds, Uncle Tupelo etc.. So basically if you like Wilco (particularly "AM"), Whiskeytown, Old 97s, and Joe Pernice in his more up-tempo moments, then this is up your street. However there is a bit more to it than that, with some elements of "Damn the Torpedoes" era Tom Petty creeping in, noticeable on "Call my name" and "Nerve". This is no bad thing at all and lifts the songs from falling into alt-country cliché with an infusion of hooky choruses and chiming rock guitar. The stand out track is "Nebraska" and whether it's about the low key Springsteen album or the flat, empty US state, what a standout! This catapulted itself into my personal all time top ten within days of first hearing, subtle guitar with sparingly used power and heartbreak lyrics just clinging to a glimmer of hope: - "Half my hearts been ripped out but I still got some". This is song writing of the first order, right up there with Paul Westerberg and Elliot Smith, and in my book it doesn't get any better than that. A 5 star essential purchase no question."

Cash Bros. are worth the cash

Patrick Wilkins | 07/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one hooks you the first time around! A captivating array of relevent, straight to the heart lyrics; incredable harmonies and brilliant guitar work all working together to create a unique sound in a melting pot filled with pop rock and folklike country undertones. It's always a pleasant surprise to stumble onto a hidden gem such as this. Raceway has a real intimate feel to it; not a bunch of overblown high tech sound. If you enjoy alternate pop rock that is a bit more settled and has lyrical maturity then you will love this. The brothers voices blend in superb harmony as does their acoustic and electric guitars. Worth every penny!"