Search - Big Head Todd & Monsters :: Another Mayberry

Hooked me...

John Mclane | Nome, Alaska | 04/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I started listening to BHT when they had this and Midnight Radio out, and I could not put them away for months. The sound is not always smooth but it is pure, and these two albums paint an accurate picture of what the early live shows around Boulder were like. Must admit that I like the first two much more than most of the following efforts which were much more commercial friendly, but the latest studio and live albums are much closer to this raw, bluesy, bar-band sound. I like it so much I have a backup copy in case I kill my first."

Raw

Russell Diederich | Littleton, CO United States | 10/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What makes the first two albums from Big Head Todd so great is their rawness. Their small-label success allowed them to create the music they wanted to play without letting corporate big-wigs dictate their sound, or overproduced albums. This is pure musicianship at its finest - playing just for the love of it. This is their roots. The album opens with the up-tempo "Flander's Fields". Todd Park Mohr's voice is energetic and soulful, and his guitar work is intricate. His soloing is a mix of melody and rhythm playing both at the same time. Although he is not flashy with the guitar, his solos are well phrased and short, tending to focus more on the song. The title track is slower and Mohr keeps his rhythm playing interesting by mixing in arpeggios, and finishes with a short outro solo. "Blue Water" carries a bluesy, nearly country-ish, feel to it. The album closes with the ballad "Hymn", which is built around Mohr's growling vocals and cries. Other greats on this album are "American Boy", "Salvation" and "Blues for Annie". This is simple music, raw, and from the heart and soul. They would repeat this formula again with the release of "Midnight Radio", actually recording several of their tracks live. These two albums are the kindling that started the fire of BHT&M career, and I think this is still some of their best work."

Pure as a mountain stream

S. R. | 07/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"BHTM's "Another Mayberry" is a great album amongst a collection of BHTM's efforts that got lost in the 90s amid a sea of 'alternative' schlock and poor bands that made it huge. IMO the reason is that the band has no poser skills, no memorable cliche, and no sexy MTV exposure (I actually used to catch their videos on CMT!). Their reviews in mags called them "writing over their heads" "not as good as made out to be.." and other such tripe. On this effort the boys bring to light a collection of songs that fit no narrow AOR format corporate radio forces us to listen to, but boy, does this effort shine. The title track, "flander's fields", and "I willl carry" are all top-notch efforts dripping with emotion and soul, but the big daddy here is the amazing "Geography of a Horse Dreamer" a powerful atmospheric song that builds to an incredible climax, a near perfect song for its intentions. Most any BHTM album is good starting point for the novice, but "Another Mayberry" is my favorite."