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"Love and then Hope"
Source: Wildy's World
By: Wildy
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
High energy blended in subtle textures. This is an apt description of the music of Straw Dogs, a Seattle Americana quartet that's spreading out of the great northwest faster than influenza on an airplane. Singer/songwriter/guitarists Dave von Beck and Darren Smith feed off the energy and support of bassist Eric Bryson and drummer Casey Miller to create a sound that's part, CSN, part Son Volt and part Ryan Adams. Their latest album, Love And Then Hope is a collection of fourteen intelligent and well-written songs that push at the boundaries of Americana while exemplifying the very soul of the genre.
Love And Then Hope opens with Lie Awake, a song you'll be hearing in one way, shape or form. Lie Awake falls firmly between Country and Rock, but is so well written and so full of real emotion that its hard to imagine this song not being picked up for niche radio as well as for licensing opportunities. Besides it's not often you hear male vulnerability in song outside of canned ballads, which this most definitely is not. Could You is a very interesting musical construct, combining the weird, nervous energy of early REM with the highly melodic and dark timbered sounds of bands like Blue Rodeo. I could see this song doing very well on Americana radio. Down My Hall is a highly accessible pop/country song built around a very strong melody and great harmonies.
Something More is a hopeful love song that looks back at a broken relationship and wishing for another chance. The song is wonderfully tuneful and features both vocalists in harmony. It's a very mellow vibe but perhaps the most well-written song on the disc. Waiting By The Gate is an inspired bit of songwriting. The song has a very earthy tone to it that's based in the protagonist's near-desperation. Make sure to give this one a careful listen. My favorite song on the disc is Then Maria. The sway to this song will draw you in, and the singer's pure devotion is palpable. As always, the chorus is full of great harmony, and the melody line will stick in your head for days. Other highlights include Serious Love, Remember My Garden, Numbers and First Time.
Love And Then Hope is one of those albums that you could sit and deconstruct for hours. The musicianship is top notch, as is the songwriting. The more upbeat tunes will haunt your brain, as von Beck and Smith have a unique knack for pop hooks embedded deep in their Americana sound. The heart in the music is distinctive, whether it's an optimistic upbeat country rocker, a sad ballad or a melancholy musical mood. Straw Dogs deserve significant attention; Seattle isn't big enough to hold them.
Source: Absolute PowerPop
By: Steve
“CD of the Day”
Often I've written here about artists that straddle the line between (power) pop and alt-country/Americana, and one of the acts that consistently crosses that line back and forth is Seattle's Straw Dogs. Back with their fifth album and first in four years, tunesmiths David von Beck and Darren Smith have crafted yet another laid-back and melodic marvel that pop fans will enjoy.
Love and then Hope opens with the languid "Lie Awake," displaying the Dogs' signature sound. "Could You" is more upbeat, featuring von Beck & Smith's stellar harmonies with an ending that's reminiscent of The Everly Brothers. The rootsy "Down My Hall" is another winner, as well as the radio-friendly "Serious Love". "Remember My Garden," meanwhile, is as good as anything on The Jayhawks' Hollywood Town Hall, and "Fallow" is a great Eagles-style midtempo rocker. von Beck and Smith are such musical pros that there's a uniform quality to the proceedings - not a bad track to be found. If you're in the mood for some great "Popicana", you won't do any better than Straw Dogs.
Source: Skope Magazine
By: Jimmy Rae
Singer-songwriters and guitarists Dave von Beck and Darren Smith make up the core of Straw Dogs. Bassist Eric Bryson and drummer Casey Miller have been the driving force on rhythm for the last six years. Love and then Hope also features many guest musicians that contribute their talents on the following: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, cello, pedal steel and percussion. The overall sound is very rich and extremely vibrant.
This Seattle-based quartet is bringing a fresh sound on the new record by incorporating rock/alternative/country. The unique blend of styles adds up to one splendid form of Americana. IT has guts, IT has roots, IT has substance…..IT has that certain something. A definite special quality is heard on Straw Dogs’ new album, one that can be touched upon and felt by ALL listeners.
The theme behind the title of the CD is that you simply can’t have love without hope. In life, love sometimes isn’t enough and that’s where hope steps up to the plate. The two emotions work together according to Dave von Beck. “We’ve written a fair amount of love songs over the years, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the randomness in life, and that no matter how hard we try and how much we do to set our path, we also need a persistent hope that things will work out. These songs are positive, but also reflect that element of the unknown. I think in times like we’re living today, particularly, we need hope because maybe love just isn’t enough.”
With a powerful title, Straw Dogs’ Love and then Hope is music with a message & purpose. This is music that matters, cares and really connects on a personal level. On song five, “Fire Outside," Dave von Beck touches on a sensitive issue that he holds dear to his heart—the effects of the California wildfires in 2007. A solemn and heartfelt tone is heard for instance during the following line, “I'll keep a fire inside me, like fire outside." “Remember My Garden”, #6, displays a tender/sensitive feel and apparently this special garden “Holds the seeds of everything I know,” sung by Straw Dogs. Track four, “Serious Love”, offers cooley-cool guitar riffs and the soulful singing really gets you to feel that seriousness of love.
The vocal harmonies/melodies between von Beck and Darren Smith are spot on and simply a joy to hear. Between the well-versed lyrics, the rhythm section and guest artists, Straw Dogs have created a chemistry of sound that is full of life and promise. Whether you say Country, Rock and/or Alternative musicians, one thing is for certain and that is Love and then Hope will be making serious noise in the Indie circuit.
Source: Twisted Roots Radio
By: Brian Bourgoin
I will be keeping this CD on the airwaves for a while! It made my top FAR voting for this month - you can check out my blog at http://www.myspace.com/twistedrootsradio.
Source: Indie Music Stop
By: L. Anne Carrington
With a blend of CSNY and contemporary styles, Seattle-based band Straw Dogs would have little difficulty developing a following of their own, especially after one hears their offerings of basic contemporary and decade rock that is presented on their latest release, Love And Then Hope.
This is one of those very few CD’s that is indeed radio friendly, with high energy combined with subtle textures throughout the entire disc. Love and Then Hope is a brilliant compilation of fourteen songs that are both well-written and push the limits of the usual grind without being obnoxious about it.
Love And Then Hope opens with “Lie Awake”, a blend of country and rock, full of emotion; “Could You” has the undertones of early REM and is very melodic. “Down My Hall” is one of the best tracks (though it is hard to choose a favorite) with its outstanding harmonies and strong melody.
This is one of those albums that listeners could sit and unwind to. The songwriting and music are both top of the line, the upbeat tunes are catchy, while the slower songs are great ways of de-stressing. Seattle shouldn’t keep this secret to itself; it is definitely time to share Straw Dogs with the rest of the world.
Source: JerseyBeat.com
By: Joe W.
Bouncy and upbeat, with a strong emphasis on harmonic melodies and touching introspection, this album is sure to whisk the listener away to a pleasant and comforting place as it unfolds on the CD player. The lead vocals are smooth and reassuring, the tempos gradual, yet steady, the beats likewise subdued, but persistent, the arrangements crisp and tuneful, the songwriting nicely concise and thoughtful. This is just the kind of album I want to hear after a typically hard and grueling day at work: warm, folksy, and soothing, it’s the ideal little platter to give a spin whenever you’re in need of something to just kick back and relax to.
Source: FAME (Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange)
By: Mark S. Tucker
Pop folk is not a terribly crowded realm but it could use more releases like this one and perhaps inform the rest of the pop realm as to what constitutes good hooks and melodies. With the spate of truly mediocre pop CDs I've reviewed over the last year or so, Straw Dogs might even want to conduct a Learning Annex class in the mode's finer points and get some of their brethren jump-started.
There are elements of Peter & Gordon here, as well as an earthier laid back Hall & Oates, a faint touch of Long Ryders, and a whisker or two of Rain Parade, but basically it's folk pop and sparkles with the introspection of the former and the vivacity of the latter. Throw on Fire Outside or Something More and you get a cross between the Eagles, Iain Matthews, and Michael Tomlinson. The root of the Straw Dogs is the duet of Dave von Beck and Darren Smith plying guitars, piano, and vocals, but they chose a great backing band along with session players, everyone opening the sound up, ushering in more worldly elements.
Fallow and one or two other songs rock out but on a soft wave not far from their companions. Dan Tyack's pedal steel is extremely attractive and airily luxuriant, bringing down afternoon skies to settle into a number of compositions (Numbers is a great example), filling them up with a coruscating golden light. Love and then Hope boasts a dozen cuts never failing to bolster one another, crossing borders between familiar genres yet making them new in the subtlest ways.
You are viewing press and reviews for:
"Tell the Rising Sun"
Source: www.smother.net
By: J-Sin
"Roots-rockers Straw Dogs tell it like it is to the 'Rising Sun' or anyone within listening range. They recall the Jayhawks in their vocal department but also make sure that their twang is up a billion notches more than anyone else. Lyrically it's crafty and clever yet downright real. Their music is top-notch and would be quite entertaining to see live since the guitars just wail with tone and power."
Source: www.realmusicreview.com
By: Kevin Feild
When I first heard this album I was caught off guard by the unique sound that the Straw Dogs have brought to the music industry with the release of their fourth album, "Tell the Rising Sun". I was not familiar with their past work and unlike most artists it was hard for me too pinpoint any kind of comparison to their style. This uniqueness is a good thing. The Straw Dogs aren't looking to match the sound of any other artists out there but instead they relentlessly pound track after track of catchy guitar sounds, unmatched vocal harmonies and a seasoned songwriting ability that has a distinct sound of their own.
Now, I never like to give a review without giving some sort of comparison to other artists to give the readers a general of idea of their sound. This was hard but if I had to compare them to any other artist out there I would compare their vocal harmonies to the similarities of The Jayhawks, and David von Beck's voice has a Tom Petty meets James Taylor sound. And Darren Smith's abilities to harmonize with David von Beck are simply some of the greatest that I've ever heard.
Straw Dogs latest release "Tell the Rising Sun" consists of twelve new original tracks from early fan favorites such as "Amelia" and "Sour Apple Fields" to the swampy Louisiana sound of "Troubles Down". To purchase their latest release or to learn more about Straw Dogs please visit their website at www.craftyrecords.com. You can also listen to samples of the tracks and purchase the new album at www.cdbaby.com
Source: www.nighttimes.com
By: Kevin Matthews
"Uncomplicated and to the point, the Straw Dogs parlay a genuine affection for country rock that is reminiscent of Neil Young albums that lean towards the twang rather than the ragged. Singer-songwriter Dave von Beck surrounds himself with crack musicians that do justice to his moving songs about lost souls, regret, hard times and tough love."
You are viewing press and reviews for:
"Hum of the Motor"
By: Keith Hannaleck
A combination of great writing and equally effective musicianship is something that is not commonplace in recorded music. Those artists that can rise to the occasion and play on that level separate themselves from the thousands of bands in the world that are attempting to create that same winning one-two punch. Because of this reality, it is easy to recognize the movers and the shakers. Straw Dogs pull it off in spades on their new release "Hum of the Motor."
If you can relate to the worldliness of The Beatles or recall the harmonies of The Everly Brothers then you will find common ground with this band. Their irresistible melodies and song constructing are in line with those legendary artists. I can envision going up and down the radio dial and hearing one of these songs on this CD playing.
By using ear-grabbing lyrics and strumming pop-rock guitars the two main players, David von Beck (lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars) and Darren Smith (acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, bass, piano and keyboards), are the rock 'n' roll dynamic duo and saviors of music with meaning and substance. They dig down deep and pull out incredibly reflective lyrics along with many different styles of music, all cooked into one tasty musical stew. I heard pop, rock, jazz, country…everything under the sun for an intelligent genre melding.
I especially enjoyed "Last Exit." They sing with heart and catchy hooks about the road we call life and all its trappings and ironies, which become our reality depending on what exit we take. It reminded me of a dysfunctional relationship that you stay in because it became comfortable being uncomfortable. It is funny what we find in the words of music and how it can fit into our lives in some inexplicable fashion. The more I listen to music the more I expect and the bar is raised yet another notch for originality and quality.
This CD won me over in every aspect. You have been warned in advance, it will hook you to. One listen will not cut it, expect to have it in your CD player for at least a week before you take it out.
Source: www.musesmuse.com
By: Stacey Board
The straw dogs have a sound that's a bit hard to pinpoint. It's kind of low-fi pop. David von Beck and Darren Smith are a great melodic songwriting team. They have a hint of Squeeze, Nick Lowe and that general flavor in their sound. But whomever I should more accurately be conjuring up to compare it to, it's definitely pleasing to the ear.
Both gentlemen are also quite fine guitar players. There are some really tasty guitar tones at work here and I'm a real sucker for it. Also in the arrangements they've included Smith's keyboards and some other players varying the sound with dobro, slide, and drums. It's subtle arrangement with vocals and melody in the spotlight.
"Who I Am" is one my favorites. All of their strengths really shine here. The harmonies, melody and guitar work on this track really work together nicely. If you are a fan of well written and played pop, you should definitely add "hum of the motor" to your collection.
Source: www.minor7th.com
By: Alan Fark
Straw Dogs is singer-songwriter duo David von Beck and Darren Smith. They each press their trademark thumbprint into a honed pop style via jangling guitars and mirror-image harmonies, incarnating themselves into this era as did Firefall in the 1980's and The Byrds in the 1960's. "Hum of the Motor", their second release, has a polish and fullness their first release did not, thanks to a winning roll-of-the-dice by adding guest musicians on drums, pedal steel and trumpet. (Listen to "Blinds Me Again").
Source: www.musicdish.com
By: Ben Ohmart
The music might be more like alternative folk, but in a very pop way. Lead singer David has a voice that could easily lend itself to country crossover, easy listening or folk if he just bent it a little one way over the other. He has a soft, enunciated way of telling personal stories as if he's in an arts festival under a tent with lots of tents and kids and adults with snowcones.
All the Things, Pains of Arkansas, Truth to Every Night, Blinds Me Again, Last Exit, When She Was Good, Will It Be Enough?, Who I Am, Mostly Alone, Only Living Here, and Wired. Those are the songs, sung close to the ear.
Choosing Straw Dogs for a 40 minute spread is like picking salad over hamburgers. Fresher sound, better for you than guitar-heavy rock, to be played out on farm roads in the country where the only troubles are the bugs and figuring out which direction to look in next. Says Last Exit: " The window's just rows and rows of forgotten fields. Blurring away as you lean on the gas. If I'd had the words then we would be singing now. So don't say tonight's show is our last." It's good leisure music for fast moving bodies.
You are viewing press and reviews for:
"Any Place At All"
Source: indie-music.com
By: Keith Hannaleck
"Any Place At All" is a suitable title for this CD. This is the kind of music that you could play any place at all, and everyone would find it agreeable. I found it much more than agreeable. This album is a rock-pop tour de force.
David von Beck and Darren Smith take care of all the vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and programming work on the entire recording. I use the word work ever so lightly though; as this talented duo makes it sound like it's an easy task to achieve so much, with seemingly so little. A natural feeling is projected throughout this CD, and it makes you feel very comfortable. The atmosphere is flooded by two great voices coming together, but you don't drown, you float on the vibes. It's a beautiful thing. They are a remarkably harmonious duo that remains consistent on a level that most would be hard pressed to maintain.
Yes indeed, it's a rare occasion that music sounds this good across the board. It's as good, or better than any mega-hit music that you hear saturating the airwaves every day.
These dogs aren't made of straw, they are forged, tempered steel beams made to last.
Source: Aiding & Abetting
Straw Dogs is a couple of guys playing earnest, folky roots rock. The songs are expertly crafted and the playing is spot-on. The harmonies, it should go without saying, are immaculate. Like I said, David von Beck and Darren Smith put everything they've got into these songs. There's no lack of effort here. And that's what wins me over in the end. Because this isn't one of those sounds that usually gets me revved up. Straw Dogs tightly control everything, which generally mutes the emotional impact of even the most intense songs. But the obvious hard work is enough to get me involved. Still, I generally prefer it when bands are able to turn difficult music into breezy work. Nonetheless, I find it hard to get down on Straw Dogs. This is a first-rate rendition of the style.
Source: THEGLOBALMUSE.COM
By: Michael Allison
The first thing that came to mind while listening to this CD was how great the songwriting was. The lyrics are pure and at times, very inspirational. The music is sort of a folk/pop style that is really unlike anything that I've heard before, but creates an aura of Deja Vu. I found myself thinking that I heard this music before, but simply couldn't put my finger on who. When that happens, I immediately know that I'm listening to a quality band. I was more impressed by the originality of the band than the music itself though. This is very good music with great potential, but it really didn't appeal to me on a personal level. I can't deny talent though. This group has a lot of that. Probably more than one group should be allowed to have. The music simply surrounds you and sound a lot bigger than it really is. This is music that I would recommend to anyone looking for a new sound with a heavy Americana/Classic pop feel to it.
The Rundown Sound Quality: 5 Stars Production Quality: 5 Stars Musicianship: 4 Stars Originality: 4 Stars Over All: 3 Stars
Source: hEARd Magazine Australia
Coming out of that famed musical spot Seattle, Straw Dogs are certainly unlike a lot of music to have come from there, giving a fresh faced sort of sound & songs which are as intelligent as they are catchy. The style is an interesting collection of great acoustic based guitar & vocals, backed up very well by other instruments such as piano, which really fills out the sound.
There are a stack of songs which will make a lot of people really take notice, such as my favourite "Always The One", though others like "These Ashes", "Sunslide" & "Laura" really showcase a great style. Relatively few bands have the ability to take it to the songwriting skill of bands like R.E.M., but this band do it with ease & a style all of their own.
Source: indiear.com
By: John Taglieri
This was a cool CD to review. A very laid back acoustic duo with a full production CD. The songs are well written and arranged with enticingly good lyrics that stick with you after the first listen. There are hooks around just about every corner on this CD. The production is also very good for a small indie label release. The thing that really stands out on the album is the vocal interaction between David von Beck & Darren Smith. It is absolutely beautiful. The harmonies are slick and seamless and they use a lot of intertwining lines that talk and answer each other. It's not often that you hear such nice harmonies anymore.
The acoustic guitars are very prominent and as such, are very well recorded. A lot of CDs I've heard with acoustics tend to have them sounding thin, but here they are nice and full sounding with the full sonic spectrum easily available to the listeners ears. There is also some very nice piano work on this album. The rest of the band is pretty subdued on the CD as to really highlight the vocals. Over all, a very good CD for lovers of Folk/Rock that I would recommend wholeheartedly.
Source: Minor7th.com
Although Seattle is known as the land of grunge rock, Straw Dogs is one Seattle-area duo sporting a scrubbed-clean wholesome sound to make the most jaded listener feel fuzzy and warm inside. Doubled jangling acoustic guitars and ubiquitously harmonized vocals on "Any Place At All" imparts to Straw Dog's sound a very distinctive and engaging style of their own. Boomers might compare the sound to Firefall or England Dan & John Ford Coley, GenXers to Counting Crows or David Mead. "Nothing I Say" especially struts out the kind of hooks typical of Mead which pop radio DJs are likely to perk up their ears over.
Source: MusicDish
The acoustic duo of David von Beck and Darren Smith create a very soft and hip folk-inspired album that is rather inspired. 'The Way You Fade' fades in with "Feeling thin when our worlds begin / We never really catch up to fill it in / These hollow eyes have seen countless tries / But never really stay until the end." A more aggressive start that catches your interest like the Indigo Girls used to. von Beck is on lead vocals while both guys split the complete work right down the middle, both fretting keyboards, percussion, programming and anything else that crops up.
Like good theatrical writers, Straw Dogs like their internal rhyme schemes that often loop and hold long enough to plug into. "Nothing I say ever does anything / To slow the tide of rebellion inside of me / What can I say to get through? / Nothing I've said up to now was ever meant to lose you" comes the chorus from the country-pop, "Nothing I Say." You soon realize that von Beck's voice isn't the smooth sort, it's emotional gentleman that works best when harmonizing with Smith, and that they do create some pleasing sounds is a definite given.
It's rather fun quoting these lyrics all the time. It's their fault for whittling careful hooks from the more wooden parts of their guitars and piano antics. "The night light can't give me the sight of you, I only catch your shadow / You pause, like you might come into view, but then it's back off to battle /You're blazing by like a star and I'm fading out like the tail / I can't keep reaching that far."
The might and magic is in the collaboration that exists between such gentle dogs; like any mixed marriage, strength stems from solidarity. The main event is the songwriting skill. It wraps you tightly, puts you in the same room with them, and promises to hold your hand through the bad times. And of course the alternating backing vocals from Darren is like taking a big yellow highlighter and making sure all the important phrases are covered. This CD is all marked up, but it's the only way to enjoy the show.
Source: Suite101.com
By: - Chad Bowar, Pop Music Editor -
This Seattle duo of David von Beck and Darren Smith are all about the songwriting. Their ability to combine meaningful lyrics with tasty hooks and glorious harmonies makes Any Place At All a standout. Their acoustic based sound can be compared to Counting Crows or a male version of the Indigo Girls. Intelligent lyrics and great melodies seem to be at a premium these days, but the Straw Dogs have an abundance of them, plus those great harmonies. Their brand of folk/pop is timeless.
