The Gourds - Haymaker

Reviewed by Robert

3 out of 5 Faces (Ratings)

Release Date: January 6, 2009

Label: Yep Roc Records

I love The Gourds... I have always loved The Gourds since I first saw them at Cactus Cafe in front of a crowd of about 25 in 1998, my sophomore year in college. The Gourds were (and are) a symbol to me for all that is right in music. They were, much like the long lost missing link that ties humans to the monkeys, the link that tied country music from my childhood (Willie Nelson, Whalen Jennings, exc.) to the alt country revolution that happened in my adolescent years (Son Volt, Blue Rodeo, exc.)    They were all amazing musicians in their own right, and their sound had no definition or title... And they liked it that way. They were and probably still are the greatest live band I have ever seen and I still don’t miss a show if I can help it.

I don’t know if I have just out grown the innocence of my youth or if The Gourds like all great bands are just on the down slide, but this album just isn’t that great. There are some really great songs, most of them by Kevin Russell, but as a whole the album lacks what all of their others had... The ability to get into my bones and make me want to shake it (uncoordinated white man dance). I can’t tell you how much it pains me to say it but this is actually one I would pass on if you aren’t a huge gourds fan, but go get Ghosts of Hallelujah if you don’t have it (or any of their other 9 albums for that matter.)

Will I still go see The Gourds when they come in to town? You’re damn right! Can I recommend this album? Unfortunately no...