TonyDoug's CD Reviews

by tonydoug wright

Andrew and the Pretty Punchers, Goodbye Ohio (Self-Released)

The Band: Andrew, Gregory, Kevin, Joshua, and Schmike.

The History: Goodbye Ohio is the second release from this Dayton, Ohio band.

The Review: One of my connections in Dayton, Ohio sent me a copy of Goodbye Ohio for review. They’ll be rewarded with a half-eaten bag of chips and an elephant ear from a county fair of their choosing. It was not that long ago when that same connection mailed me the self-released CD from Andrew and the Pretty Punchers. It was a good D.I.Y. folk-rock release. Goodbye Ohio, their second release, is much better due to the fact that singer/songwriter Andrew Smith has become quite the gritty band leader. ‘Our Modern Love’ and ‘The Hangaround’ are two standout tracks that embody their own brand of folk rock that is perhaps fueled by cigarettes and beer. If Andrew and the Pretty Punchers continue to perfect their craft then they may be another great band from the city of Dayton, Ohio.

The Website: www.myspace.com/andrewtheprettypunchers

There Goes Neutro, Organelle (Self-Released)

The Artist: John Ira Thomas

The History: Thomas is a graphic novel writer and the owner of Candle Light Press, an Iowa City publisher of comic books and graphic novels. There Goes Neutro is his alter-ego.

The Review: I used to work at a family restaurant in Ohio. I cleaned tables, washed dishes, waited tables, and cooked. Washing dishes is the lowest existence in the restaurant caste system and they are the untouchables of that culture. Two of the most memorable dishwashers at the restaurant were Pete and Donny. Pete was the fastest dishwasher. I later found out he smoked crack or snorted coke before work so he was amped with a little something special. Donny was slow and talked for hours about nothing. He irritated Pete. Poor Donny had a speech impediment and he would always say, “Hay bawdy” instead of “Hey buddy”. There seemed to be nothing going on in the mind of Donny. Pete’s mind was coke fueled so I imagined it was a blur of “Dishes...dishes...dishes...gotta wash the dishes.”

Organelle by There Goes Neutro is an experimental release of electronic noise that truly captures what I believe to be the sounds in Donny’s head. It is a repetitive sound of an organ topped with the crackling noise of an old record. For some reason, I find it annoying and appealing. Organelle is meant for the musically adventurous types who know or have met someone like Donny.

The Website: www.theregoesneutro.com/

The Pubcrawlers, One Too Many Again (Self-Released)

The Band: A.J., Andy, Brian, Dana, Emily, The Rabbi, Ron, Seth, and Travis

The History: The Pubcrawlers have spent the past six years developing their energetic brand of music, which is a pleasant mix of Celtic and punk. One Too Many Again is the second full-length release from this merry band of rockers from Portland, Maine.

The Review: There’s Irish blood in my veins, twelve years of Catholic school burned into my soul, and a brain cell or two dead thanks to Guinness. I’ve been to the homeland and am a better man for making the journey. Recently, The Rabbi, a member of The Pubcrawlers, contacted me via e-mail to see if I was interested in reviewing the recent release, One Too Many Again. I was definitely interested.

I reviewed their first-album, Another Night on the Floor, for Erasing Clouds, and was very impressed. The Pubcrawlers blend traditional Celtic music with a good shot of rock and roll. Their music is energetic and is under the suspicion of containing subliminal messages leading to cravings for a pint of the finest brew. One Too Many Againfeatures traditional songs with new arrangements by The Pubcrawlers. If you’re a fan of the Pogues then take a chance on One Too Many Again. You will not be disappointed.

The Website: www.the-pubcrawlers.com