When The Permanent House Guest Is Frank Lloyd Wright
Lakefly
Plasticine Mesmerism
Dismal Swamp
Silent Train A-Crashing
We Move It Out
Craving 43 1/2
Kodo And The Queensbound R
Jangly guitar chords. Jerky, alterna-hip rhythms. Pithy, class-clownish wordplay. And of course, suitably rasped yelp-vocals, the kind that say, "Hey, I'm really a sensitive guy underneath this fey facade." Yup, we've hear... more »d this tune before. Ever since the Replacements broke up, band after folk-inspired band comes down the pike, intent on filling Paul Westerberg's shoes. But with the Hollowbodies, it's really time to say, "Enough already!" This hayseed combo sees itself as cute, amusing, maybe even the life of the party (witness arch entries such as "Buckshot in the Favored Horse" and "When the Permanent House Guest Is Frank Lloyd Wright"). But it's merely one long in-joke, a la John Belushi's old "The Thing That Wouldn't Leave" skit. The group keeps pounding the same nail to the point of annoyance. And frontman Phillip Roebuck keeps slipping into a cracked falsetto that eventually sends you right up the wall. --Tom Lanham« less
Jangly guitar chords. Jerky, alterna-hip rhythms. Pithy, class-clownish wordplay. And of course, suitably rasped yelp-vocals, the kind that say, "Hey, I'm really a sensitive guy underneath this fey facade." Yup, we've heard this tune before. Ever since the Replacements broke up, band after folk-inspired band comes down the pike, intent on filling Paul Westerberg's shoes. But with the Hollowbodies, it's really time to say, "Enough already!" This hayseed combo sees itself as cute, amusing, maybe even the life of the party (witness arch entries such as "Buckshot in the Favored Horse" and "When the Permanent House Guest Is Frank Lloyd Wright"). But it's merely one long in-joke, a la John Belushi's old "The Thing That Wouldn't Leave" skit. The group keeps pounding the same nail to the point of annoyance. And frontman Phillip Roebuck keeps slipping into a cracked falsetto that eventually sends you right up the wall. --Tom Lanham
CD Reviews
BUY THIS CD
Ken | Virginia Beach, VA | 01/02/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In the genre of East Coast Blues. the Hollowbodies may be the best, unheard of band out there! The blend perfectly a little of Tom Petty, Dylan and the music of the low country. If you like blues cords as well as up beat lyrics, check these guys out. Also if you are ever in the Virginia Beach area, see them live. They play about every other night."
Viva La Hollowbodies!
Stephen Morrison Lewis | New England, USA | 02/10/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Hollowbodies have cleaned up their act since their first album. "Lame" turned out to be an inappropriate title for a band with such wonderful potential. In their second venture into our ears, the Roebucks and drummer Anthony Smedile return with a sound that is more together. In addition, they have become a band more accessable to mainstream listeners, while still playing the field. Playful lyrics and wonderful music mix to create an off-beat yet interesting listening experience. from the obvious discord of the intro to "Buckshot in the Favored Horse" to the out there lyrics of "When the Permanent Houseguest is Frank Lloyd Wright," and the wonderful sounds of "Underground," The Hollowbodies are not afraid to play their way, and to Hell with the consequences. If you are into sounds that don't completely conform to the mainstream, but are still stylistically folk-ish or rock-ish in nature, you cannot go wrong with "Viva La Dregs.""
Beauty in the Ear
Michael P. Guarino | New York | 01/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Fire Tom! I thought the cuts were unique; they varried sufficiently and did not mimic any other groups I've listened too. Refreshing and musical; I'm not "in" on the joke and don't care; I just liked the music."
Tom is WRONG
Michael P. Guarino | 07/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With respect to everyone, the Hollowbodies is what the world needs now. Great songs: musically & lyrically. A superb live band that deserves a push. Better than ANYTHING you'll ever hear on the radio without requesting it yourself."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1