This Austin-based band's first release for Compadre (their third studio effort overall) finds a sweet spot between alt.country and alt.pop. With both roots and rock influences drawn from outside the mainstream, one is hesitant to saddle this with a "country-rock" tag on the off-chance it would indicate made-palatable-for-mainstream-radio crossover. But highly palatable it is, with plenty of first-spin melodic ear-appeal that should garner a fair share of Americana and college radio spins. The band's country basics reside more in the songs' folksy-directness than overt twang, with electric guitars on the mid-tempo numbers that range into propulsive power-pop. The album's ballads are mixed with alternapop, netting out to equal parts Connells, Replacements, Delevantes, and REM -- a mix that's apparently what singer/songwriter/guitarist Fred Andrews has long had in mind. Andrews' songs exhibit a streak of spiritual faith, including the messianic images of "Something to Believe In" and belief of "I'm Here." Snapshots of roadside flower sellers ("8 Roses") and high school nights of summer abandon ("Never Forget You") are nice additions to more typical songs of relationships that have been torn-up, traded-in, and on occasion, revived. The protective "This Time" and "Tonight" close the album with the sort of optimism that rolls winningly throughout this album. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Just saw them at The Tap in College Station...the CD is wonderful if it sounds anything like they did tonight...and the lyrics are amazing! :)