Here's what people are
saying about the new
Graham Brown Band release
Hiwatt...
EXCLAIM.CA
He's been flying largely under
the radar of the mainstream, but BC-based country rocker Brown
has remained prolific. After cutting his teeth in the great
Jr. Gone Wild, Brilliant Orange and Happyman, he's become a
prolific solo artist. The fact that this, his tenth album, is
arguably his best yet testifies to his commitment. The name of
his backing band has been contracted (formerly the Prairie
Dogs), but they remain fine foils to the songwriting and vocal
talents of Brown. This is a generous 18-song collection,
primarily recorded live-off-the-floor. Brown turns up the
guitars on tunes like "Gonna Be A While" and
"Yonder Way," the latter hinting at an Arc
Angels guitar sound. There's a power pop feel (albeit with
slide guitar) to "Tonight From Liverpool," a
song that's not wishful thinking, given that Brown has earned
a
UK
following. Obvious reference points on Hiwatt
include Neil Young (the spiralling guitar work on
"Potions"), Blue Rodeo ("Quietly in the
Night") and Tom Petty (strong opening cut
"Bust Your Lip"). There's nothing
groundbreaking, but the solid craftsmanship of Brown's
songwriting and his convincing vocal and guitar style carry
the day nicely.
AMERICANA-UK.COM
"....From the raucous opener of "Bust Your
Lip" to the equally raucous closer of "Yonder
Way" there's more than an hour of unpretentious
straight ahead rock....it is all natural and unaffected -
there are some spottable influences but they aren't written in
capital letters and because of that everything just flows
naturally from this Canadian four piece.....it is unarguable
that when Graham Brown flies free he creates some blistering
guitar solos - the exquisite "Now Is The Time"
kicks off as an acoustic guitar interplay but launches off
into wah-wah heavy electric explosions, elevating the fine
carpe-diem lyrics into a glorious mini-rock epic at turns
forceful and melodic to the extreme...." 9
out of 10
STRAIGHT.COM
..."Graham Brown has been around for a while and has been
releasing album after album of beautifully crafted
country-rock to a steadfast audience. You can hear what he
does best on the opener "Bust Your Lip",
which isn't a million miles away from Wilco's "Casino
Queen". Guitar and organ duke it out in "Potions"
and the lovely "Somedays", which seems to
have it's Rhodes-dappled heart in Haight-Ashbury as much as
anything. "Gonna Be A While", "Yonder
Way", and the barbed and angry "Ambush"
are as snarly as Brown has ever sounded, only more so. He
might be sitting on his best record yet.."
ROOTSOFROCK.NET
..."Hiwatt is pretty much a roots/rock album with
some impressive stinging guitar work that suggests in places,
Neil Young in his attack mode ( check out - "Potions").
"Bust Your Lip" is the opening track and sets
up the album, "Invisible" drops the pace
again with some fine harmonica work, while "Ambush"
rocks magnificently (nice organ work, Rob Blackburn).
"Now Is The Time", probably a favorite of ROR,
features wah wah guitar over a very well crafted song. If you
like your music with dollops of Dylan, Wilco, Springsteen,
Petty and Neil Young in the mix, you will love Graham Brown.
ROR is gonna check out his earlier albums !"
ROOTSTIME MAGAZINE- BELGIUM
..."Hiwatt is the 10th and latest release from Graham
Brown. Recorded in a matter of days it is truly a rock &
roll album after many listens. There are 18 songs with some
up-tempo rockers and a few ballads to even things out. The
songs that we recommend , the opening track "Bust Your
Lip", guitar rocker "Gonna Be A While",
the Nick Lowe vibe on "Invisible" and "Quietly
In The Night". Also the swinging rocker "Ambush"
and the gorgeous "Trouble In Your Footsteps".
Definitely there are comparisons to Tom Petty, Steve Earle
here, all in all this is a very pretty offering and the tenth
from the Graham Brown Band."
Graham Brown
Band on Urban Rush
performing
" Bust Your Lip "
