Bastard
Sons Of Johnny Cash: Distance Between
by Dan Grote
Bastard
Sons Of Johnny Cash: Distance Between
Label: Ultimatum/Artemis
Hit, *hit or
Miss?: Miss
Rating:
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to review
when I requested the promo for this album. I think in the back of my mind
I wanted to believe the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash would be a hip alt-country
group of twentysomethings raised on punk and, incidentally, the Man in
Black.
So I was thrown for a bit of a loop when
Distance Between’s lead track, “1970 Monte Carlo” ended up being a sincere
twang number about one of the sacred stereotypical subjects of country
music: a car: “1970 Monte Carlo Chevrolet/It seemed sometimes, you were
my only friend.”
Distance Between is working class country,
songs about cars, building houses and love, topics so time-tested you’d
never see them coming. Truth be told, I’m not quite sure what these guys
have to do with Johnny Cash; there’s no “Ring of Fire” or “Folsom Prison
Blues” here, nothing that deliciously dark. Hell, besides being country
music, I’m not sure what the connection is, and even then, Cash doesn’t
even do country anymore, just covers of rock songs.
Furthermore, if this band is anybody’s
Bastard Sons, it’s Springsteen’s, as lead singer Mark Stuart does his best
Boss impression on most of the album but especially on blue collar songs
like “Hard Times,” about building a house, and “Burn Down,” about burning
a house down.
Of course, once the blue collars get thrown
in the wash, the Bastard Sons really let their inner cowboys come out on
“Wind It Up” and “Damage Is Done,” drawling with all their might an some
imaginary sawdust-on-the-floor bar.
Perhaps the biggest nail in Cash’s future
coffin however is “Long Black Veil.” The song, told by a dead man about
his widow coming to visit his grave, features guest vocals by none other
than Private Radio mastermind Billy Bob Thorton. Yes, that Billy Bob Thorton.
Buyer Beware.
VERDICT: The Bastard Sons do not earn their
namesake on Distance Between. There’s nothing hip or wittily dark on this
album. This is southern heartland country rock by a bunch of guys who can
only pretend to be “too tired to love/too tired to fight.” Songs like “Tears
of Gold” have potential, but the ubercountry that makes up much of the
album drowns out their few bright moments of talent, and brining on Billy
Bob is damn near unforgivable. Let this be a lesson: don’t judge a band
by its name.
CD Info and Links
Tracks: Monte Carlo
Hard Times
Distance Between
Long Black Veil
Burn Down
Tears Of Gold
Wind It Up
Marfa Lights
Damage Is Done
Where I Found You
Last Goodbye
Beautiful Cage
About
the reviewer: Dan
Grote is feature writer for the iconoFAN Network
Fan
Speak - Your Turn, What do you think?
Fan
Speak:
Posted by Expert:
By the way, what exactly is it that makes Dan Grote any kind of expert in music? Opinions are like as*sholes...
Posted by Evolved:
It's just simply good music played well. It's flipping the bird to all of the bullsh*t that's called "Country Music" that's on the radio and video channels these days, stuffed down our throats. Dog sh*t with chocolate sauce on top is still dog sh*t, Nashville. The Bastards are doing it right!
Posted by Drycounty:
Having a chance to see the bastards at a club called the Hide Out in Chicago, I was nothing but blown away with their sound.. Being in a alt-country band myself(whatever alt-country is) these guys do a hell of a job, I can say nothing but good things about the guys, my band called dry county is currently working to book a show with them. OHH and they did rock the house with ring of fire, they are damn good players, and good guys, I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather hear Billy Bob sing, then Kenny Chesney.. Cheers to the Bastards..
Posted by Bluesman01:
After reading the reveiw and some of the more intelligent feedback, I thought I would throw in my two cents worth. I like this cd. It won't make my list of the top 10 but I don't regret spending the money on it. Not for everyone, but if you have an interest in alt country, yes.
As for the name, don't take it so literal and I think you might figure out what the artists wanted to communicate.
Nuff said
Posted by a Bastard Sons fan:
Dan Grote is either a wanna be musician who's bitter because he sucks and can't make it in the business. Or..he's just another frustrated Britney Spears and NSYNC fan.
Posted by Sam:
Hey Ex...what's a Sturat?
Posted by Ex:
Sturat thinks he is Elvis and he changes player like a chick changes underware, stinks like tuna fish!
Posted by Dave Manecek:
I am a nin fan, but this video made me quite sad.....unlike any other.
I am not sure why, but I know after reading Johnny Cash's bio, this dude had it hard in San Quinten, and rose above the filth of prejudice of ex-cons. God bless him, I just hope he lives for a while longer so I may be able to study his music further and possibly meet him.
Posted by Music Man:
Johnny cash was a rebel if ever there was one. Before you think you are cooler than he, read about his career.
Posted by George:
f*ck the bastard sons of Johnny Cash. I'm listening to a band called the bastard sons of El Duce instead.
Posted by F*ckface:
F*ck you, The Bastard Sons are God.
