Incredibly underrated band rocks out and survives hard times
Red Seed | MB Canada | 09/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This new Wide Mouth Mason album is absolutely fantastic. It starts off with four super-high-energy songs that are highlighted by some thick, revved-up slide guitar. This is the signature Wide Mouth Mason sound, but a lot more straight ahead and energetic than we're used to. Those first four tracks are awesome. Don't get me wrong, the rest is as well, but the energy and that ferocious slide guitar on the opening four is completely contagious. I haven't taken this CD out of my car in the week that I've had it. BUY THIS CD, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!Now for the problems (not with the music of course!). In an age where image rules over substance it is obvious that this band has been constantly struggling to keep their heads above water. They've been through the wringer that is the Canadian music industry. It doesn't matter how good you are. These guys have been improperly marketed for years under their former "record company", Warner Music. This horrendous label tried to market them as a hip-hop act and a teeny-bopper act, among other things. This has left them with an admittedly loyal fanbase, but also one that is small and mostly comprised of prude young girls and effeminate males. Completely the wrong audience for a jammy blues-rock band that sings about smoking pot and one night stands (among other things of course!). In order to survive these guys NEED to get their music to the American jamband fans that will embrace and really appreciate their music. They need to play jammy festivals such as the Bonnaroo festival and really penetrate that scene. A tour opening for Ben Harper in the US would be exactly what these guys need. Or perhaps a stint with The Black Crowes, warming up the stage for the bros Robinson in the marijuana smoke filled auditoriums they play for beer drinking, magic mushroom swallowing, hallucinating audiences. That is where Wide Mouth Mason needs to be, and until they find somebody who can open these doors for them I'm afraid they will never get the recognition that their music so rightly deserves. This CD is awesome. Keep playing that slide Shaun!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1