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June 26,
06
Rating 3.5 out of 4 stars
In 1994 Liam Gallagher barged on to the airwaves with a cocky
voice introducing Oasis to the world. Singer Skip Matheny takes
a similar approach on this Chapel Hill five-piece's major label
debut. You can't ignore his voice as it bursts from the speakers.
Although lumped in with Americana acts for the occasional touch
of twang, "The Wee Hours Revue" is more of a soulful
indie-rock record than a country crooner.
The album's first section sticks with Americanized Oasis-style
Brit-rock often softened by Matheny's wife Timshel's humming
organs. The group taps into the bluesy side of the Rolling Stones
on a few slower tracks.
While "Help Me If You Can" sounds culled from Fiona
Apple's last album. Their pop side boils over on the single-ready
"I've Got a Reason," with a folksy side emerging on
the album's final third.
Stalled by Hollywood Records, who were originally set to release
the album as "Says Pop," the release "The Wee
Hours" is a longtime coming. With the remixed production
of Chris Stamey, the final version seems worth the wait. --
CD
LIVE
WIRE | THIS WEEK'S BEST MUSIC: ROMAN CANDLE
The
Charlotte Observer
March 19, 2004
By Mark Kemp
These guys
(and gal) hadn't played a gig for weeks when I caught them in
NoDa on a recent Saturday. You'd never have guessed it.
One of N.C.'s
best bands (they're about to release their major-label debut),
Roman Candle clashes like early Kinks at times, then aches like
Ryan Adams.
Just don't
call 'em alt-country. That'd be kind of like calling "Highway
61 Revisited" alt-country. 10:30 tonight. $6. Evening Muse.
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