Having thoroughly appreciated the splendid works of Superdrag over their all-too-short career, I was excited to read that Don Coffey, Jr. was now in the recording studio biz.  I've checked out a few of the projects Don has produced and they are all pretty good.  It seems like most of the bands are Tenessee locals, and some of them are particularly good.  But this record is the standout.  You can almost hear the Don Coffey, Jr. drum influence on some of the tracks like Summer of Monster and the incredibly catchy cover of Springsteen's I'm on Fire.  Not being one for covers I was freaked out at the start of the song but quickly realized it was "going somewhere" and when the drums kicked in I was screaming "HELL YEAH!!!" to myself.  That is exactly what rock is supposed to be--FUN FUN FUN!  

This album is full of interesting indie rock blemishes and sometimes over-playing, but there's also some truly unique touches that make you remember what indie rock is, was, and should be all about.  If you don't understand what I mean, listen to the song Drink To That--great, simple but powerful lyric; sincere and not whiny singing; and a guitar mix that uses acoustic and electric rhytms and an oh-so-cool lead part to perfection.  Like Greenday's 'Time of Your Life' this song sets itself apart on the record and makes you realize the band could do an album any which way they wanted.  

Which brings me back, finally, to Superdrag.  This is not the slickest of albums like Superdrag's classics 'Regretfully Yours' and 'Head Trip in Every Key.'  But if you know early Guided By Voices and marry it with the drive and passion of the best of Superdrag's upbeat numbers, then you have a recipe for making Elephant Parts.  A really great album by a band that will hopefully work with Don Coffey again.
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The goal was to “plug in and roll tape.” Working with producer Don Coffey in Knoxville, Tennessee, the guys wanted to capture the sound and energy of their live act. Numerous kegs later, mission accomplished, yeah, baby. Well worth the trip.

Rock ‘n roll and lots of Budweiser. On this, their third full-length, Hoover’s G-string is fresh and funny. If you think I’m kidding, check out their promo material: the J. Edgar Hoover stickers, pretty in g-string and heels, though a bit hairy for my taste. Their straight up rock sound bears the same tongue-in-cheek feel, from the less-than-loving Bush tribute, “Go Back to Texas," to the sly “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” mocking the military’s willful ignorance policy.

Lots of short, catchy tunes, very catchy actually. The antithesis of pretentiousness, they sound like a hard-workin’ bar band. Songwriter Jeff Reinholz brings a pop sensibility, but I mean it in the nicest way. These arrangements are tight and guitar-driven, and drummer Bill Gatter burns. Even when they’re not full throttle rockin’, the threat is always there.

After listening to just a few cuts, I was thinking Springsteen. Jeff Reinholz sounds a bit like him, absent some of the raw power, so track number seven, his “I’m on Fire," was no surprise; a good cranked-up cover. But I was already sold. The instrumental “Sand Road Blues” and hard-driving “Sinking” had won me over with their slow burn changes. There’s a lot to like here, even without J. Edgar in pumps.
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Why aren't these guys on MTV and a major label?  This is the best album I bought in 05.
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I love this record! it's the perfect concoction for an indie rock partying good time.  the lyrics are fantastic-I think I will marry the singer.
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