BoDeans

Longevity in the music business is difficult for acts with album sales in the multi-millions, let alone Americana bands with smaller fan bases. The BoDeans have been around nearly three decades, longer than some reading this have been alive. As far as roots rock bands go, the BoDeans were pioneering and have outlived most! The genesis of the band was in Waukesha, Wisconsin when Sammy Llanas and Kurt Neumann formed a musical partnership. This is not to say that the BoDeans have gone unnoticed for all these years. Their 1993 album Go Down Slow yielded what became their most recognizable tune, “Closer to Free,” which became the popular theme song for the TV show Party of Five. They were named “Best New Band” by Rolling Stone magazine in 1987 and toured that year with U2.

The new CD continues their tradition of good straight-ahead Americana music. Other than the strange and moody (and somewhat out of place) opener “Pretty Ghost” the tunes follow their recipe of strong guitars, vocal harmonies and catchy lyrics and beat. As with most Americana CDs this one also has a tune named after a woman, “Lucille” in this case (not a Little Richard cover) and is one of the strongest tunes on the disc. My favorite tune on the CD is “Wonder Wonder” about afterthoughts following a breakup:
Well I saw her on a Tuesday, It was boy oh boy you’re gonna lose day…
We went together for a long time; we accused each other of the wrong crime..
I wonder if I’m gonna wonder for the rest of my days?
How long will I wonder, does it ever go away?

If the radio actually played any good music, this song would be a sure hit for the band. For the project the band brought in star producer T-Bone Burnett who also produced their debut CD Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams way back in 1986.  The music sounds as fresh as ever and The BoDeans really show no signs of slowing down! For a taste of what one of their energetic live performances is like, I also recommend Homebrewed, Live at the Pabst from 2005.