WE'RE HUGE IN BELGIUM

We got another review of Pole to Pole this time in a Belgian alt-country site called Rootsville. The review is, naturally, in Dutch. I did a quick Google translation which yielded some pretty hilarious results. Here are some highlights:

"Indeed, again, because the five is the mustard clearly going to get among the Cowboy Junkies - but without the I - want - which melancholy, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Whiskeytown, Neko Case ..... etc. Mike "Slo - Mo" Brenner (Magnolia Electric Company, Marah) damages a helping hand on dobro, pedal and rag stalk"

I foresee us never referring to a lap steel again without calling it a rag stalk. And, we'll probably start saying "damages" too. Like "Man, you really damaged that guitar line! Nice job!" or "That 3-part harmony is damaged, yo!" Oh yeah, and our next album is called "The Five is the Mustard".

Being of Dutch heritage, I have some secret weapons up my sleeve - my aunt, Cobie and my dad. Here is the much better translation that they did:

Allie Langerak, Jeffrey Mensch and L. Wyatt Tuzo are the founding members or the successful garage act "Breakup Breakdown" but were apparently up for a new challenge. It is not the first time in its history that their sites were set on alternative country music/Americana/roots genre and this triad from Brooklyn did not escape this generally rewarding musical diversion. In the meantime, Drew Kilpatrick, drums, a fourth ex - Breakup Breakdowner joined Bel Air and also Matt Hyams, bass, has swollen the ranks. Their debut album " Pole To Pole" came largely from "on the road' to a mobile studio (Philadelphia) and is, according to my humble opinion, not so much about breaking new ground. Indeed, the group of five, clearly reflective of, among others, the Cowboy Junkies - but without the I - wanna -die melancholy, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Whiskeytown, Neko case ..... etc. Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner (Magnolia Electric Company, Marah) extended a helping hand on dobro, pedal & lap steel and although the songs clearly have a country music flavor, you cannot avoid the 60's British Invasion and 90's indie rock sounds (songs: "You Can't do Much" , "Street Fair" and "Don't Hold Out For Me") The duo Mensch/Langerak may pocket the majority of the songwriting royalties and that should be able to deliver a nice bonus. The opening track "Used to Believe" , "Riverside Drive" (Shea Hess - violin), "The Last Thing" and "Looking Up" (with Andrew Kilpatrick on drums & percussion) clearly recalls the glory days of country music/rock (SOMETHING HERE ABOUT CAN'T HELP BREAKING OUT IN A GRIN ???). The musical pearls, "Almost" and "This City, pt.2" belong with melancholy Country music; "Sometimes" and the bluesy lullaby "Goodnight" are undoubtedly the marquis of this superb album. Intimate arrangements and multi-layered male and female vocal harmonies. I dare say "dream country" of Bel Air! (SWA)