Excellent Debut! Todd Mack rocks!
Andrew Blechman | USA | 12/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Big Blue is the first I have heard from this artist and it did not disappoint. Mack comes from a long line of original, folksy and brilliant musician/producers such as Greg Brown and Steve Earle. He has a distinctive sound, angelic yet cutting voice and I can't say enough about the tight production of the Cd -- it's quite nearly flawless (and I'm a HUGE snob.) We owe it to our generation and music lovers everywhere to support genuine, authentic and independent music like Mack's. He keeps it real. Keep a close ear out for the rough and tumble Circumstance as well as the haunting Beautiful Angel -- a fitting tribute to murdered journalist/musician Danny Pearl. I challenge anyone to listen to it with dry eyes.
"
This is Burn Down The Barn Raunchy!
D. Rotmil | New York, NY United States | 03/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Todd Mack is one of those talents that have slogged the miles, played the boards, seen the bands come and go, and he's still standing, with guitar in hand, ready to kick some butt and take down names. "Yonder The Big Blue Holler" is a fun, countrified, rock and roll blend of musical stew that resembles Chinese Food - it fills you up, but in an hour, it leaves you wanting more. So, you'll be playing this one again and again. Those folks in the Berkshire Mountins, where Todd and his cadre of artists work, are lucky to have him nearby, where he produces local talent and hosts his own radio show "Off the Beat-N-Track" on on WKZE in Sharon, CT.
The album is an eclectic blend of down home country, drunken blues or rock and roll so hot, it could melt snow on your windshield.
There's a lot of love that went into this album. Come on, and share some. See that button that says "Add to Cart"? That's the stuff!"
Something for everyone--make that LOTS for everyone!
matthew hickey | NY | 02/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Todd Mack's Yonder the Big Blue Holler is impossible to dislike. The lyrics consistently tell it like it is, whether the "it" is a love story, an embarrassing road moment, or a goodbye to a lost friend. The music ranges widely, from the Steve Earle-approved country rock of "Already Gone and Only Halfway There" to the James Brown-inflected funk groove under "Devil Outta Me" to the raucous "Five Nights Drunk," which somehow makes a seamless transition from a wacky alt-country take on a traditional tune right into a full-scale N'awlins-style jazz break down.
The production is clean and smooth but never slick--this is a good and gritty record that represents everything that's good about independent music. The final cut--a tribute to the artist's friend Daniel Pearl, the murdered journalist--uses a haunting marriage of Mack's earnest lyrics with hypnotic loops created from Pearl's own violin playing. The effect is staggering, and is a fitting bookend on a CD that encapsulates so many feelings and musical styles.
But first and foremost, this is a rock and roll record--play it loud and you will find that, at least for an hour, all is right with the world."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1