Wow...this is my 200th review here. So is album worthy or high praise?
Hell yeah! John Barney and the 11th Floor rocked my lame ass pretty well. A smooth mix of the late, great Beat Farmers and cult favorite The Pleasure Barons, I was very impressed with this band. It has a beautiful female vocalist in Reina Sanchez,the lady can sing in the best way. Crystal clear production and exceptional songwriting really elevates this release to the Best of the Year ranks for me.
"The Worst" really brought home the album,Lew Kerns,whose gruff voice channels Country Dick Montana, and Reina's take on what keeps a couple together despite being so different is pretty damn funny.
Going from that romp to the powerful "Wrap Your Heart" showcases just how deep this band can go and this album is like this on every song. Highly Recommended
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I got this cd from a friend and I thought it was one of the best cd’s I’ve heard in a long time. I've never heard of this band.  What surprised me was that the songs in the 2nd half were my favorite (I liked the first 6 songs but they were more commercial) I  loved “Something to Believe” for the intriguing lyrics and good vocal performance."Coyote Blues" was bluesy but kinda weird, too.  “Widow Jones and “Heaven’s Wind” made me actually listen and follow the story line. But my favorite song was the last one, “Waiting for the Sun”  - the words kind of summarized the irony of living in today’s world while the last three minutes contain some of the most emotional guitar playing I’ve ever heard.
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Best of Days is such a fabulous musical creation by John Barney. It's musical diversity is impressive. He had experimented with folk,pop, rock, country and blues.
Heaven's Wind touches your heart and magically brings you right there...
The Worst is funny but there is enough depth in its lyrics that enables it to say a lot about realities of life...
Something to believe is moving...
Wrap your heart is charming...
you will truly hear a broader spectrum of John Barney on this CD.
A job well done!!!
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I'm an unabashed lyric lover and this cd earns my respect Big Time with fabulous stories unadorned by sloppy attempts at poetry and misguided metaphor - fortunately the lyrics are printed inside the cd booklet! Each song is worth a listen, but "Heaven's Wind," "Widow Jones" and "Something to Believe" are among my lyrical favorites. Strong musical and vocal performances are also apparent, although John Barney might consider narrowing his stylistic choices.
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