|
 |
Artist description
Roots rock meets the jamband - Smile Americana |
 |
Music Style
Jam based alternative rock & roll |
 |
Musical Influences
grateful dead, u2, beatles, phish, rolling stones, tom petty |
 |
Similar Artists
Beck, U2, Grateful Dead, Radiohead, Phish |
 |
Group Members
Neil Hulsewede (guitar, vocals)David Keith (guitar, vocals)Dan Monarch (keyboards, vocals)Sam Shaheen( bass, vocals)Scott Van Houten (Drums, electronic precussion) |
 |
Instruments
electric & accoustic guitars, piano & hammond organ, bass guitar, drums |
 |
Albums
Gladstone |
 |
Press Reviews
Gladstone (G-Star) by Billy Bartley Gladstone's self-titled debut powerfully blends a wide range of rock sounds to deliver a jam band potpourri of an album. Their style is similar to The Grateful Dead's, Widespread Panic's, and Phish's. Somehow, though, Gladstone stays its own band throughout the record. They are not trapped by the years of preconception, but instead are steeped in years of tradition.Yes, they jam, but without pretension. The band consists of Neil Hulswede on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and vocals; Sam Shaheen on bass and vocals; Dan Monarch on piano, organ, acoustic guitar, and vocals; and Scott Van Houten on drums and percussion. Even on the more minimal songs where other bands seem a little hollow, Gladstone seems to have a freshness and attitude. They also seem more apt to take risks with their production, which can be surprising at times. Although the music is entirely written and mostly recorded by the band, they had help blending from the wise ears of Jeff Maffeo on the mixing desk.Throughout this understated production, the song is king. Not for one minute are you wondering where this ensemble is coming from, or if it is really some studio magic Maffeo is pulling from his hat. The parts contributed by guest musicians even seem to blend, weave, and bob in the room with the band.When Gladstone gets cooking its like sweet potato pie. The track "Shine Like Gold" is like walking into a field of poppies in bloom. The boys get some help on this one from Randy Shipley on the lonesome pedal steel and Tracey Jones with beautiful backing vocals. Together they help deliver the band, and especially Hulswede's lead vocal, to the table. Other highlights include the mean track "Stormy Seas". The tune gets cameos from Eric Whorton and Andy Brown of Louisville's El Roostars. Each respectively endorses the rest of the band with guitar and backing vocals. The surf-esque riffs of "Ravine," the opening track, are juxtaposed to half time sections, which ring with thick backing vocals. The most effortless song is the second track, "Fall." It showcases Shaheen's bass and Van Houten's drumming together, weaving a smooth groove with Myron Koch kicking licks on the saxophone.All in all, Gladstone takes chances with this recording. They run, sometimes stumbling, and sometimes astounding us, through this 12-song debut. Billy BartleyLouisville Music News (orginally appeared January 2001) |
 |
Location
Louisville, KY - USA |
 |
Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).
|
|