The Midwesterners "Pretty Little Town" Darlingtone Record Discs by Scott Snidow

What do you think of when you think of Wisconsin? Cold winters with lots of snow? Cheese? Beer? Maybe even football? (That is if you are old enough to recall the days when the Greenbay Packers were considered a dynasty.) No matter what crosses your brain when you think of Wisconsin, it is unlikely that you would ever consider it a hot bed of roots rock style music, or that one of the better songwriters in this genre calls this region home. Well, such is the case with Richard Weigel of the band, the Midwesterners. Call it roots rock, Americana, rockabilly or alt country, but the sound that Weigel has concocted combines all of these elements to create a truly distinctive and memorable sound. And not only does Weigel play the role of chief songwriter and head bottle washer, but he also plays all of the guitar parts, supplies the vocals, not to mention co-produces "Pretty Little Town" along with Mark Haines (drummer). The remaining half of the Midwesterners are Dennis Reifsteck on bass and Frank Anderson on steel, rhythm guitar, and accordion. This collection opens with a jaunty tune entitled 'I'm Gonna Run Your Roadblock of Love'. This catchy little title features an equally catchy little tune that you will no doubt find yourself walking around and humming after only a couple of listens. (I suffered the same fate with 'Unsafe At Any Speed'.) However, don't look for any deep-seated meaning behind the words. This is just a fun song of pursuit, nothing else. It does feature one grade A steel guitar solo compliments of Frank Anderson, which from reading the liner notes I learned only made it on the record after Anderson requested the chance to record a solo for this tune. Weigel had already recorded a guitar solo for this tune, but thankfully opted to put the Anderson piece on the final version. It really makes this track! 'Roadblock'is followed by 'If You Don't Go You Won't Know', a song that is from the same school as its predecessor. Just a fun, upbeat tune with no message intent on redeeming society. Don't make the same mistake that I did with this song, and start searching the liner notes for organ credits. That Hammond B-3 sound that you hear was so ably accomplished by Weigel running his guitar through a Leslie. I have heard this done before, but never so convincingly. Looking for a song with a message on this album? Look no further than 'You Can't Unring a Bell'. This slower, acoustic number about regret and love lost is a welcome change of pace. It allows the listener to change gears, and listen, absorb, and appreciate Weigel's abilities as a songwriter. The next two offerings feature a return to the more up tempo, guitar driven style of song much like the opening two tracks. 'Somewhere Outta Denver' features some dandy slide guitar work that is worth mentioning. It is that subtle, easy glide style of slide playing that is more a God given talent rather than something that is learned. 'Scene of the Crime' opens with a guitar riff that is certain to impale itself firmly in your brain, so that the next time that you listen to it, you will be convinced that this is some long, lost song from somewhere in your smoky past. 'The Heart of it All' is another more somber melody that Weigel says came about at a time where the life of a musician was becoming tedious. The moral of this particular story is that if a person can remember what it was that drew them to something or someone in the first place, then they are certain to always find their relationship with that someone or something fresh and invigorating. Not a bad philosophy, and it is set to a Ventures style vibrato guitar. Can't beat it with a stick! Weigel lists his influences as Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Lucinda Williams, Son Volt, and John Fogerty. The last one of these really shows in this next track, 'On The Outside', which features a very Creedence Clearwater Revival style guitar piece throughout. Nice change of pace, and it segues really well into the next two tracks, which I must admit were my personal favorites on this disc. Now one thing that this reviewer hates to admit is that I do have a favorite track or two on any CD that I am reviewing. I like to try to keep that "I am being objective as hell" attitude when I am listening to and writing about a disc. However, it became sadly apparent that on this particular CD that I had unconsciously developed at least one favorite track. Early one morning last week, I was walking around the house doing my usual morning routine, drinking my morning Pepsi, feeding the cat, watching the sunrise, sweeping the cobwebs of sleep from my brain. As the first rays of the sun broke the horizon, I found myself dancing around the kitchen in nothing but my boxers singing 'Unsafe At Any Speed' to the cat. Now, if that isn't the litmus test to the "hookability" of a song, then I don't know what is. It doesn't hurt that this tune has more of those great slide riffs. Equally impressive in "hookability" is the next track, which Weigel wrote based on a line from a James McMurtry song. One listen to 'Guitar Problem' and the average listener will not only find himself hooked, but will find themselves being reeled in as well. 'Guitar Problem' is autobiographical, no doubt. Set to music not too unlike "Hotrod Lincoln", Weigel weaves a musical tapestry full of surprises, as each verse contains guitar riffs that the listener is sure to recognize and words that any listener who has ever had a guitar problem is sure to relate to. It happened early, I was in third grade, I heard Chuck Berry and my plans were laid. Teacher said lyin' ain't no use, You got a guitar problem and a written excuse. 'Dark Tavern Blues' is a performer's song. A slow acoustic song, with some great National steel slide parts, it documents the saga of any person who feels driven to perform in smoky little bars and taverns rather than work a "normal" job. 'The Winter of 96', while being a song about rebirth, is a tale that folks who have average winter temperatures of around 50 degrees just can't relate to. Nice tune though! The album closes with 'Your Ramblin' Boy Is Lost'. This is a raucous country song in the style of those old Sun Records artists like Johnny Cash, and one heck of a way to close an album out. It's too bad that the Midwesterners weren't around back when I was in college. During that time I was on a mad search to find anything that couldn't be considered "mainstream." This search led me to artists like Delbert McClinton, Omar and the Howlers, The Del Fuegos, Suicidal Tendencies, Los Lobos and eventually Robert Earl Keen, Jr. The Midwesterners would have fit right in with this rather eclectic collection that appealed to me in those days, and would have been a welcome respite from that whole 80's music scene. And while the average listener today finds himself faced with a myriad of choices that weren't available back in those days, there is no doubt that the Midwesterners will carve out a comfortable niche for themselves. Also, I wouldn't find it too surprising to one day turn on the radio, and find a more established artist doing a cover of one of Weigel's songs. I couldn't help but think how this song would fit so and so's repertoire well, or I can hear so and so doing a killer version of this one. Bottom line: If you are looking for some roots rock music done in a refreshing style, from some talented musicians, then look no further than Pretty Little Town. If you would like a sampling of their music, then go to www.themidwesterners.com, and click on the "buy the CD" link. There you will find samples of several songs. Enjoy!   You can contact Scott Snidow at: scott-at-rockzilla.net

View My Guestbook Sign My Guestbook

	Rockzillaworld Visitors

Home / Music Links / Concert Calendar / Search / Feedback / Artist Submission Info / Links

The opinions expressed by Rockzillaworld columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rockzillaworld or Rockzilla. All content ©2000 Rockzillaworld. All rights reserved.No part of this site may be reproduced or copied without the permission of the site owner. This includes html code. No animals were harmed during the creation of Rockzillaworld.