Search - Sprague Brothers :: Changing the World One Chick at a Time

Sprague Brothers - Timeless Rock 'n' Roll

Fred Burwell | Beloit, WI USA | 10/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although some "revivalist acts" get the sound nearly right, few if any get the feel right. From the first note to the last, however, The Sprague Brothers get both sound and feel down pat on Changing the World, One Chick at a Time. But that's no surprise, since all of their albums feature consistently brilliant songwriting, excellent musicianship, and true passion for authentic rock `n' roll. Once you've heard a Sprague Brothers album you realize immediately that they are not revivalists at all, but the real thing. Their new effort is as pleasing and diverse as ever, taking us on a journey through early Sun-style rockabilly like "I'm Setting Jake" and "You're Scarce," to the driving Bobby Fulleresque "Wormwood" (featuring Bobby's brother Randy on bass), to a number of songs in which brothers Frank and Chris Sprague demonstrate their uncanny vocal blend reminiscent of classic fellow brother duos such as the Everly Brothers and the Louvin Brothers. Don Everly's son, Edan, joins Frank on the note perfect, "I've Got it Made," a song which gave me the shivers the first time I heard it. The Sprague Brothers always impress with their remarkable, catchy melodies. Frank and Chris will have you humming along to the sweet and tuneful, "Keep on Loving Me." There's something for every mood here - the clever, humorous, "Rockabilly Twist," which ought to be a crossover hit, the zany "Spittin' Cup" series, the deeply longing, "I Want to Be Her Man," other intense ballads such as "Little Star" and "No One Cares," and the all too brief Ventures-style instrumental, "Highway 15." The Sprague Brothers never fail to surprise with memorable bonus covers and this round they treat us to a ska meets the Ventures version of "Harlem Nocturne," (here called "Harlem Ska") a swingin' "American Music," and a rocking cover of "The Girl Can't Help It" which imagines Bobby Fuller sitting in with a Merseybeat band at Liverpool's Cavern Club. Don't forget to keep the CD playing for further "hidden" gems! I highly recommend "Changing the World, One Chick at a Time" to anyone who loves pure rock `n' roll and to anyone who loves good music, period. I can't wait for their next album!"