Wow ! While listening to Coal Bin Brothers' "Barrded For Life" CD, I think I experienced a flash back even though I was way too young to drop acid in the late 60s.
If this had been an LP without a copyright date, had tamer lyrics and I had purchased it at a local store that still sells LPs, [ yes, those still exist ] I would SWEAR I would be listening to music straight from the late 60s/early 70s.
Is that a good thing ?
To me it is - brings back good memories of my childhood.
It's a VERY creative, folksy sound straight from the Smothers Brothers show, esp. from their own band/variety show skits in between their own performances,and also reminiscent of their musical guests' songs.
Coal Bin Brothers' sound would've been perfect for Laugh-In, The Monkees, Banana Splits... also think The King Singers with attitude combined with that sound and you kind of get the picture.
The satirical, comical and sometimes political lyrics also remind me of 60s folk music. The somewhat "salty" lyrics though is a reminder of the uncensored times we live in today.
Musically, these multi-talented men sound as expert and flawless as any pro on ALL of the multi-instruments they all play.
The sheer variety of instruments, played so well, adds to the flavor of the songs and therefore also adds enjoyment of them; their voices too of course - the harmonies are perfectly blended.
Their obvious camaraderie of the band carries over the sound waves and lifts the listeners' spirits.
It's impossible to listen to the entire CD without smiling or even laughing more than a few times.
A very enjoyable CD indeed - one I highly recommend. Coal Bin Brothers has a Very bright future !
Why didn't I give it 5 stars though ?
I'm an ex-Democrat, but have leaned farther to the Right [ Republican ] over the years since the mid 80s, and esp. after 911 - I enjoy and agree with Bill O'Reilly/Fox News programs in genral..etc., but also keep a keen ear open to what the Liberals are saying.
Closed minded Conservatives [ unlike myself ] will probably not like some of the CD's songs and unfortunately shun the other songs, but Liberals, esp. Liberal college students, will absolutely go nuts over "Barred For Life".
Just my 2 cents that if politics/anti war sentiments were taken out of the lyrics, it would not ostracize any group[s} of people and would reach a much wider audience.

All in all, a job WELL done !!!

BRAVO !!!
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