Rambler 454 Results

Rambler 454 - Week Of 6/10/02
Song - "Talk Down The Sky" from their Demo in progress
More can be heard at the band's site. When it gets built.

Who they Are: Rambler 454 is a band that so far only exists in the studio. Led by the timeless singing/songwriting/guitar work of Dan McCoy and backed by Tim Brennan (Bass) and Jason Linder (drums), the band is crafting outstanding throw-down-and-drink bar stompers alongside storyteller blues tracks in the traditions of Chris Whitley, John Hiatt and Nebraska-era Springsteen.

The Reviews Are In: Reviews - 14 | Possible Score - 70 | Current Score - 59 | Rating - 84%
2 Anonymous Reviews - each 5 stars

Title: Not a bad tune at all
What I Think: As a writer for the production corner of this site, I felt compelled to write this review after seeing the 85% approval rating. I thought the song overall was very good. As a drummer, I wasn't super impressed by the playing but I like the actual part....watch your tempo a bit in there, the song is depending on that drum part. I like the kick drum and bass together....very boomy and deep. I would cut back the reverb on the vocal, bring it a little closer to the listener. The guitar, which is probably a dobro, sounds really cool...nice earthy tone that the resonator guitar gives. I am a big fan of natural reverb as opposed to rack mounted reverb. When I cut drums I always use a room mic far away...you'd be suprised what you can do with it. Same can apply to vocals....if you have the extra tracks and do it right.
Extra Credit Items: kick and bass together. dobro guitar sound.
Reviewer's email: rosavelt@hotmail.com
Reviewer's Band's Site: www.rosavelt.com

Title: Rootsy
What I Think: Overall I think this is a nice mellow, roots rock tune. Nothing groundbreaking, but a well written, and performed song none the less. The two area's I think could use a little attention is the rhythm guitar (banjo?), it looses the beat on some of the strummed sections. The backups in the mix right at the front of the tune could also be mixed up.
Extra Credit Items: The overall natural recording. It just sounds like a bar band under the most ideal of conditions. Not to polished, but lacking none of the melodic beauty of the tune.
Reviewer's email: buckra@mpowerent.com
Reviewer's Band's Site: http://www.buckra.com

Title: Repair the Break
What I Think: Sounds like a well recorded demo over my crap computer speakers through an MPEG player. Nice balance of instruments, vocals are good. An above average song, except I thought the break was weak dragging it down a notch to average. Think about reworking it musically to offer the listener more of a "break" from the verse and chorus.
Extra Credit Items:
Reviewer's email: ed@orl-inc.com
Reviewer's Band's Site:

\Title: Sweet Love Song
What I Think: This is an excellently written song and the music is very beautiful. It definitely sounds very romantic and would be a song I would play in the bedroom. The guitar strums are very polished and stricter than most popular bands.
Extra Credit Items: Gorgeous Background Music
Reviewer's email: mylifeanthem@hotmail.com
Reviewer's Band's Site: http://www.mylifeanthem.com

Title: My Kind of Song
What I Think: Great song, good lyrics...a bit short.
Extra Credit Items: Nothing too heavy. The song stays pretty mellow throughout, which I like. Too many songs start off mellow and then open up into something more heavy. Guitar play was real good.
Reviewer's email: btinney@suite224.net
Reviewer's Band's Site:

Title: Refreshing New Rock
What I Think: Whith the ground swell in popularity of Alt-Country style Rock-N-Roll (wouldn't that be just good old regular rock?) a band still has to be inventive and original in their own way. It's the same as any genre, if you want to be good, you have to have something to stick out. Rambler 454 does this. With the soft, slow begining that lulls you, yet pulls you in, to the crescendo's that make you move, it has an appeal all of it's own. So it's only one song. I can't wait to hear the whole album, then a more thourough decision can be made. Until then, keep up the good work.
Extra Credit Items: Great production, and good guitar sound. It's a song you can remember easily.
Reviewer's email: nederino333@yahoo.com
Reviewer's Band's Site:

Title: Comfortable
What I Think: It's difficult to explain. Sounds good, but not really something that stands out as really original. It's kind of too soft for me personally. Maybe just becasue it's acoustic. As a new group, they sound tight. Very nice.
Extra Credit Items: Coordination
Reviewer's email: (Requested Anonimity)
Reviewer's Band's Site:

Title:
What I Think: the song was coming in and out on my computer. but what i heard is awesome.
-kerry carpenter
Extra Credit Items:
Reviewer's email: (Requested Anonimity)
Reviewer's Band's Site:

Title: Descriptive, hits home
What I Think: Hey danny, Its adam, Rob Hollingsworth's cousin. I really liked that tune, it hit home because I got a chick thats on my mind that fits the description if you minus the strawberry in strawberry-blonde hair, anyway, keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to hearing more of the demo.
Extra Credit Items: nice and laid back, well written, well mixed, clear sound, draws a great picture
Reviewer's email: Axeman11@aol.com
Reviewer's Band's Site:

Title: Well Done McCoy
What I Think: Looking forward to the new album. Only criticism is that the vocals occasionally seem drowned out by the guitar.
Extra Credit Items: Something new from Dan McCoy.

My Rating: ****: 4 Star
Title: very cool radio ready song..
What I Think: cool john cougar/boss sounding song.. i dig..
Extra Credit Items: good lyrics.. good subdued sounding instruments.. i can't tell, but i think i hear a background vocal that sounds killer..
great lyrics..
Reviewer's email: sergio@village-buzz.com
Reviewer's Band's Site: http://www.village-buzz.com

Title: Raw, Unrestrained Passion.
What I Think: I think this project sounds good, a little heavy on the folk, but I can't fault them for my own musical tastes. As a musician who records most of his own instruments, I applaud anyone willing to go ahead and be a band without actually having any other members. The mix was really good--studio quality--actually. I'm jealous, since my basement recordings don't sound like that. Hat's off to your engineer! As I said earlier, the song style is a little mellow for my tastes, but definately brings forth real emotion, despite its slowness. You feel for the singer. This was a song born from the writer's feelings. This is also something I know well. I'd love to hear something up-tempo from these guys (guy?). Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. Great job!
Extra Credit Items: The production quality of this song was top-notch! I heard everyone like they were standing right in front of me! I'd love to know their secret.
Reviewer's email: Nelsoncl36@hotmail.com
Reviewer's Band's Site: www.mp3.com/fishkill