Farmer not so John
RECEIVER
Compass - 7 4250
visit Not So on Compass records
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This second disc from this group is at once familiar and at the same time it shows many new facets of this metamorphosing group who still defy any simple tag of nomenclature. They have the feel of a Counting Crows meets Web Wilder and the Beatnecks, playing with some Outlaw Country ideas. The Country ( they seem to hate that label) flavor comes from their harmonies and their use of instruments associated with Country music. They use the lap steel to great effect, and also the banjo, mandolin and fiddle, and on one cut Peter Rowan contributes his distinctive mandola. This disc starts you off with a familiar sounding song, PAPERTHIN, that might have been on the first disc. Then it starts to move you off to their new directions. They move away from the familiar gradually and don't take any giant steps. It is more an expanding upon their sound. One of the main changes is the feel of this disc, which is decidedly more somber, ominous, and dark in flavor. Just listen to the wrenching and foreboding RISE ABOVE THE WRECKAGE. Maybe the year on the road combined with the changes and acrimony that accrued have left a scar on this band (we'll see with time whether it is permanent). The band that tours, Richard McLaurin and Mack Linebaugh, will be different than the one that recorded this disc, and I am sure that will promote even more changes, but this disc was recorded with the original band and with the help of various friends. The band has weathered the road and come back into the studio with some new directions that it was not afraid to put down for us to hear. Another reason for the change in sound is that Tucker Martine who was obviously not afraid to use more effects on this disc produces this disc. Richard McLaurin who was also concentrating on his playing and composing the songs for the debut disc produced the first disc. This is a group for whom the inner turmoil is working in their behalf, they have taken the strife and used it to make an edgier sounding disc.
Songs, writers, and players (times of the cuts not given)
1. PAPERTHIN - Linebaugh/Ryan
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - mandolin
Mathew Ryan - electric guitar, vocals
Clive Gregson - organ
Tucker Martine - tambourine
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
2. FUSE - Linebaugh/McLaurin
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - electric guitar, lap steel, vocals
Daniel Tashian - Wulitizer
Tucker Martine - weird looping device thingy
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
3. CONSIGNED TO OBLIVION - Ray
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and vocals
Richard McLaurin - electric guitars
Brian Ray - bass, vocals
Sean Keith - drums
4. RISE ABOVE THE WRECKAGE - Linebaugh
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - lap steel
Peter Rowan - mandola
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
Tucker Martine - aerosol can, cymbals
5. FOR YOU I WILL PRETEND - Linebaugh
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic and electric guitars, vocals
Richard McLaurin - electric guitar, lap steel
Daniel Tashian - synthesizer, vocals
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
6. UNDERTOW - Linebaugh
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - electric guitar
Clive Gregson - organ
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
7. NO TIME TO PLEASE YOU - Linebaugh
Mark Linebaugh - electric guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - acoustic and electric guitars, tambourine, vocals
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
8. ME TOO - Linebaugh/McLaurin/Ray
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - electric and 12 string guitars, vocals
Clive Gregson - synthesizer
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
Tucker Martine - shaker
9. GRAND BOUQUET - Linebaugh
Mark Linebaugh - electric and acoustic guitars, vocals
Richard McLaurin - electric guitar, vocals
Clive Gregson - organ
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
10. PEN ACROSS THE PAGE - Linebaugh
Mark Linebaugh - acoustic guitar, vocals
Richard McLaurin - accordion, banjo, fiddle, toy guitar, vocals
Sean Ray - lap steel
Brian Ray - bass
Sean Keith - drums
Daniel Tashian - synthesizer
Produced by - Tucker Martine