Album Notes

The newest release from R. Mutt is a bit of a departure from the funk- and metal-flavored recordings of the 90's. For Heptane the band returns to it's Rock and Roll roots pulling influences from artists the band covered in the late 80's like the Dead, The Band, Rolling Stones. Pop influences like Cheap Trick and the Kinks can be heard as well.

What most will hear on the first listen is a gritty American Rock and Roll sound that could fit as well in classic rock sections as in alt.country bins.

While all of the R. Mutt albums have been loaded with quality guitar performances, Heptane stands above others as a guitar featured album. From crunchy rhythms to soaring leads to booze-soaked riffs, the guitars are clearly out front and on display here. Ron Thornton and Dan Whitaker delivered most of the guitar parts, with Randy Komberek (of Moloko Shivers) and Tommy Boesch (of Surrender Dorothy) providing some tasty solos and additional rhythm parts. On the quieter 94 Steps, the single acoustic guitar played by Bennett Dixon provides the backup for one of the more haunting vocals on the album.

Dan Whitaker (Great Plains Gypsies, Dan Whitaker and the Shinebenders, Junebug Massacre) sang lead vocals. Dan's earthy voice and heartfelt renderings of the songs fit perfectly with the musical backdrop.

The rhythm section on this album is Dave Schoepke on kit and Jim Dier on bass. Rocking and in the pocket would be the best way to describe this team. Dave gets to show off some of his inner Keith Moon on the break in River and channel some Latin influences on Nights like Tonight.

Jim and Ron contribute backing vocals and take some turns on lead vocals for a few songs each. The disk wraps up with Ron, Dan and Jim trading off lead vocals on the house rocker, One Dime.

Early feedback from music networking sites confirms that this effort is right on the money:

"Bruce Springsteen, Credence Clearwater Revival, and some 'Rockin' in the Free World' rolled into one."

"Rock and Roll in its purest form! When straight up American rock and roll comes out of my speakers, I can't help but feel it. So few bands perfect the art of the rock song. Cars, traveling, girls, home - images thrown between a tight rhythm section, crunchy riffs and overdriven leads. The production is clean and lets all the individual parts of the song shine without drowning anything out. I haven't heard good rock like this since the Clarks."

"Very impressed with the lead guitars… a little dated, but I love the style. A little Foghat never hurts."