Bottle Rockets & The Brooklyn Side

One of the best parts of doing what I do is that sometimes a gem like The Bottle Rockets double reissue album, The Bottle Rockets/ The Brooklyn Sides, falls into my lap and I end up loving it. I can’t really compare the band to some of my new favorites, especially since these guys have been around since the early 90’s (some of their demos even reaching as far back as 89), but  I hear their sound in a lot of the music that I’ve been listening to.

 

The album starts off amazing with a blend of alt. country rock that isn’t just cookie cutter music the likes you’d hear on the radio. Brian Henneman (lead vocals, guitar) doesn’t seem to open his mouth for anything less then thought provoking musings on deforestation by progress, The Confederate Flag, racist entitlement due to lifestyle choices, and of course some true life love songs. 

 

What I really loved about the album is the pace. It’s all over the map. At one point you’re listening to this country bar twang infused tune about being careful what you wish for and then you’re blasted into this rockabilly (nearly psychobilly) anthem that gets your adrenaline pumping and makes you want to start bouncing all over the room. Later, when we get into demo territory I’m reminded of Elliott Smith’s Basement Tapes where everything is just a guy and his guitar and a whole lot of truth. 

 

When I first opened the file for this double album and saw that the album was 46 tracks long, I kind of sank in my seat. What if it wasn’t good. I’d be sitting there for nearly two and a half hours cringing if it was bad. Fortunately it was great. Unfortunately, nearly two and a half hours of music from The Bottle Rockets just wasn’t enough for me. I’ll be grabbing everything these guys have got. Most definitely a highly suggested reissue. Enjoy.