Big Silver
Love Note
SpinSouth Records
By Kevin Minihan
 For those of
us saddened by the breakup (or 'extended hiatus' as they put
it) of the Old 97's and disappointed by Wilco's more experimental
work of late, rejoice! A new group has come to carry the torch.
Their name is Big Silver and they hail from Little Rock. Their
latest disk, Love Note, is a great mix of melodic roots-pop
and good old southern rock and roll. While many groups have
a certain sound or style and stick to it religiously (or monotonously),
Big Silver hops around from one style to another at the drop
of a hat. With chops to spare, their confidence and ability
allow them to do this effortlessly.
Sometimes the boys from Arkansas don't even wait unil the
next song to change direction. On the opening track, "Moment",
they come bouncing out of the gate with a quirky tale about two
people who have been burned in previous relationships, but who
are cautiously trying to get back in the game.
I've been cheated, you have too
That's not a reason to fall in love with you
I'm so lonely and I know you are
That's no excuse to take this thing too far
The curve ball comes about 2 minutes into the track when they
suddenly cut the tempo in half and crank up the power chords,
moaning organ and a harmonizing lead guitar riff for a powerful
closing minute. Totally unexpected. Fully appreciated.
The chameleon that is Big Silver then quickly changes colors.
"The Slowdance" and "Boomerang" are more
traditional honky-tonk numbers full of steel guitar. They slow
things down with the emotional "Anything," a story
of lost love that shows the band's ability to get serious and
pull on the heart strings.
That was so long ago, I was young, I didn't know
The years I would spend only able to pretend
That we were in love then and I meant anything to you
The album ends with "Rock and Roll Dreams" and,
as the title would imply, it is a flat out rocker. It's a story
that many frustrated musicians can relate to, a guy who can't
stop dreaming about being on stage one day and selling out arenas
while his girl just wants him to get his head out of the clouds
and give it up.
Got a broken down tour bus in my mind
And a trashed out hotel room in my heart
I've been waiting for this moment all of my life
She's been waiting for the day I would kiss it goodbye
I really enjoyed this record. It is very rare for a group
to keep one surprised from song to song. With the right label,
proper publicity and a little luck, these guys could become huge.
On the more rocking side of alt-country, Love Note is
a very smart, roots-rock journey that keeps listeners waiting
to see what's around the next musical corner.
*www.milesofmusic.com
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