The Betweeners debut "Matador Karma" is a seriously diverse peice of work. It constantly challenges the listener as it moves from the twang and wit of "Hotel Movies" to the dark introspection and Latin groove of "Step So High". The constant throughout is the no frills acoustic approach and the down home deliverery of nearly every tune. From the odd metered and esoteric lilt of the title track "Matador Karma" to the ultimate hippie confessional "Beanstalk in My Bed" lead singer and multi instrumentalist Stephen Couch maintains an accessiblity in his delivery that invites every listener into the heart of the song. With chops to spare the band really shines with examples of brilliant musicianship on every track. No matter if it's the sizzling slide guitar on the disc's singular blues song "If You Bust Him" or Michael Cleveland's blazing fiddle on the bluegrass number "East Kentucky Water" the level of musicianship always complements the subtly clever lyrics of the band's two composers Stephen Couch and Owen Reynolds.
Review:
Stephen Couch is the driving force behind this excellent Louisville based progressive bluegrass outfit, handling the bulk of the songwriting, lead vocals, slide guitars and mandolin; the core trio is rounded out by second guitarist & vocalist Eddie Green and Owen Reynolds on bass. Additional musicians provide fiddle, banjo, drums, percussion and backing vocals. Music like this just fills the soul, gets your feet moving, and puts a big old smile on your face -- it's totally infectuous, delightfully fun, and absolutely impossible to ignore. Their sound (mostly due to the vocal delivery) is a bit reminiscent of The Band circa the second (self titled) abum, but replace their rock with a more lively acoustic based bluegrass vibe and one might have an idea of where Matador Karma is coming from. It's pure Americana, but expanding well beyond the traditions, effectively doing to bluegrass what bands like Fairport did to British folk. And these guys can play up a storm and deliver some tasty arrangements. The lyrical humor of songs like "Hotel Movies" and "Beanstalk in My Bed" will make you smile, while one can relish the thoughtful social commentary of songs like "Fishers of Men" and "East Kentucky Water". Countryphobes might want to give this a pass, but listeners fond of The Band, New Riders, early NGDB, Old and In The Way, Garcia, Grisman and similarly inclined artists might do well to check these guys out. -- Peter Thelen
[http://www.thebetweeners.com]
Peter Thelen "Exploring The Boundaries of Rock"
Exposé
This is a great cd! These days, it's almost impossible to hear any virgin sounds, but The Betweeners have succeeded in creating a fresh, all-original sound with original material and delivery. Sometimes introspective, sometimes humorous, sometimes lyrical, sometimes gritty...always virtuostic, always unusual. Well-crafted lyrics, wonderfully unexpected musical turnarounds, essentially authentic and right-on. What a treat.
-Gabrielle Gray, Executive Director, International Bluegrass Music Museum, March 2004
Matador Karma is a feast for the ear, a real treat. The singing, the playing, the songs, it all sounds great.
-Theo Oldenburg, dj for Alt.Country Cooking:"Real American Music That Don't Suck." March 2004
www.radiowinschoten.nl
The Betweeners couple the characteristic flair of The Band with the vitality of an act like The Gourds and the virtuosity of entire generations of bluegrass greats...
This one goes highly recommended! -Benny Metten www.ctrlaltcountry.be March 2004
-Great record!
You can invite The Betweeners to play on your own instruments. if they were around, I would do immediately to listen with open mouth to flashing bluegrass tunes, bluesy stuff in various ways and some fresh country songs. with lots of instrumental highlights on guitar, dobro and fiddle. You will never have a dull moment with The Betweeners. -Bart Ebisch www.altcountry.nl March 2004
These guys are better than most bands in the "damn good" category. Stephen Couch is such a good singer that when you hear him for the first time, you feel like you've been listening to him for years. He's so comfortable in his own skin, there's not a whiff of hesitation or pretension. His voice draws you in immediately, but then he backs it up with the lyrics.
" Karma" is more than a title, it's a theme. So many bands sound good, but have nothing to say. The Betweeners don't have that problem. When's the last time you heard a line as good as "They talk about death like it's alive" from somebody not named Haggard or Dylan. I'm not saying Stephen Couch has an agenda, but the album is spiritual in the sense that he's sharing his spirit with you. Reincarnation, religion, sex, the environment - it's all there. Make a spot for them in your CD changer right between the
Flatlanders and Oh Brother Where Art Thou?
- Michael Young, "Roots and Boots" DJ, 91.9 WKPK, Louisville, Kentucky April, 2004
Don't feel bad if you've never heard of the Betweeners. While talking this record up during the past few weeks, only one person was familiar with the mystery band - but still had never heard them. That won't last."Matador Karma" is where bluegrass meets The Band and mellow hell breaks loose. Stephen Couch's warm, ingratiating voice and engaging songwriting anchor the album with a deceptive ease; songs this good always sound easy. It sure doesn't hurt that partners Eddie Green, Owen Reynolds and Chet Surgener play like Couch sings - with a casual, comfortable grace.The Betweeners' low profile is charming, but they had better get used to higher ground. When you put out a record this good, the only way to go is up. -Jeffery Lee Puckett, Music Critic, The Louisville Courier-Journal April 10th, 2004
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