Album Notes

FERRODYNE Reviews:

Ferrodyne Shines on St. John's Day
By Dan Sorensen

"Tucson band Ferrodyne has an impressive, thoroughly original, well-written and beautifully produced new CD, "St. John's Day." The group has been playing a bit around Tucson for the last year after moving from Portland, Ore. Most of the members are originally from Tucson, bassist Liza Byrne said. And they've made some strong connections on the local scene since coming home, with a number of contributions from local guest players.

Lead singer, acoustic guitar player and main songwriter Doug Smith's lyrics are literate, often verging on poetic, without being pretentious or too off-the-wall. It's moody, atmospheric stuff, for the most part, vignettes with vivid imagery.

The instrumental backing varies between rock, country rock and some almost jazzy grooves. Pedal steel guitar is used to great effect on several cuts, but not in a traditional country sense. That's such a currently popular use of steel, locally and nationally, that the instrument no longer necessarily signals "Nashville" to my ears.

Smith has a voice that's distinctive without being affected or forced in any way, and that isn't easily confused with anyone else's. He gets sole songwriting credits, except for the three he co-wrote with lead guitarist Chris Byrne. Drummer Jay Cherwa fills out the band's rhythm section, although Tucson veteran steel guitar player Neil Harry, one of the guest players on the CD, has recently become a regular band member.

Calexico trumpeter Jacob Valenzuela also contributes to two tracks, including a muted part that puts a great feel on the title track. The solid rock album, with top-notch playing and a polished production I'd expect on a big-time release by an established band, but not a relatively new group, was recorded at Craig Schumacher's Wave Lab Studios."


Ferrodyne: St. John's Day (Terra Malverde)
by Gene Armstrong

"From a critical viewpoint, you might worry if a band is recommended purely because its members are nice people, which is how more than one trusted musical adviser introduced me to Ferrodyne. They probably are good folks, but it's also excellent that the gentle Southwestern folk-rock on the debut CD by this local act is far more than nice.

The 10-song album was recorded at Tucson's Wavelab Studio, under the guidance of producer Craig Schumacher. It's a smooth, professional work, a hybrid of indie-rock and folk-country, with appealing arrangements that become more interesting the more you listen.

It's refreshing to hear the ambitious, original story songs and tone poems by singer-songwriter Doug Smith, who sings in a rich baritone. He doesn't limit himself to monosyllabic verbiage, nor to easy sentiments, and he knows the worth of a rich description and subtle humor.

The band and its production team know how to build emotions from sound, and just when to add seasoning courtesy of guest musicians. For instance, "Sold Out" would've been impressive on its own—with the chiming electric guitar by Chris Byrne, and Liza Byrne's funky rave-up bass—but the song becomes more interesting thanks to the atmosphere generated by Schumacher's organ and Neil Harry's pedal steel. Elsewhere, the film-noir mood is greatly enriched by Jacob Valenzuela's trumpet, Tom Hodgson's banjo and Schumacher's keyboards and vibes."