Album Notes

'Blankets great 'Pudding'
Quality of folk-rockers' 'quickie' CD hold lessons for other local bands

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BY LARRY NAGER
No sophomore jinx for the folk-rocking Graveblankets. It's unappetizing title aside, the second album by Chris Arduser and the 'blankets is a tasty dish, packed with smartly crafted material crisply played.

Leader and songwriter Mr. Arduser, who on the Graveblankets' debut carried his "Guilt in a Suitcase," still writes about responsibility, opening with "(Everybody Knows I'm) Guilty."

He's even better directly addressing apathetic listeners, in "Mr. And Mrs. Indifference"--"I'm screamin' in your ear right now, trying to get a response, and I'm singin' anything I can think of."

But the 'blankets are hard to ignore, couching intelligent lyrics in bright pop harmonies and tight arrangements showcasing George Cunningham's Richard Thompson-inspired guitar, Bob Nyswonger's rock-steady bass and Mr. Arduser's propulsive drums and mandolins.

He takes another look in the mirror in "We All Thought We'd Make It Big," an epic folk ballad of the rise and fall of an archetypal rock band. Other standout tracks include the rocking hoedown "Ice Creme on Yesterday's Pie," featuring Karen Addie's fiddle and Bridget Otto's harmonies. Also, stay tuned for the hidden track "Day of Days," after "Rootless" allegedly ends the disc.

Apple Plum Blood Pudding is reportedly just a quickie CD, as Mr. Arduser and company work on a more involved production. But it's hard to imagine how the forthcoming set could beat this one.


'Blankets Give Blood

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BY MIKE BREEN
Mixing a rootsy shuffle and glide with an uncanny Pop instinct, The Graveblankets' new release, Apple Plum Blood Pudding, is a superb effort that should perk up the ears of many local music fans.

The 'Blankets are fronted by former psychodots drummer/singer Chris Arduser, who, besides singing, plays guitar, mandolin and drums here. Fans of Arduser's songwriting in his previous groups, but aren't too fond of the "Folk" tag that's often associated with The Graveblankets, shouldn't be scared off. He writes in the same fashion he always has, concocting clever chord changes, smart lyrics and wildly catchy melodies.

In fact, it's really hard to pigeonhole The Graveblankets into any category. Even with the mandolin and fiddle playing throughout, Apple Plum has a timeless nature that transcends boundaries. Suffice to say these are some great songs played by some extremely gifted players. The other musicians in the group--violin player Karen Addie, singer Bridget Otto, guitarist George Cunningham and Arduser's old bandmate Bob Nyswonger--give the record a full-bodied flavor. Apple Plum Blood Pudding is an inventive, satisfying listen that shows the members of The Graveblankets to be masters of each of their individual crafts. Together, they're unstoppable.