It's hard for me to believe, but it's been over 15 months since we last reviewed The Sprague Brothers; for some reason, I thought it was only this past summer.

Back then, I suggested that the lazy rockabilly style of Frank and Chris Sprague, as heard on Let The Chicks Fall Where They May, might have been the sign of indifference on their part. (Or maybe it was that it prompted indifference on the listeners' parts; sometimes I get lost in my own rants.) Their latest disc, Forever And A Day, suggests that I was wrong - and that their laid-back musical delivery is actually their own style. If only it could suck the listeners in so they could understnad the brothers' logic.

Now handling all of the instrumental chores themselves (as well as all the songwriting - though I can't vouch for the hidden track), The Sprague Brothers continue in the same musical vein they started off in. And, to their credit, Forever And A Day is a more solid album than Let The Chicks Fall Where They May in terms of songwriting and musical ability.

But there's something that's unnerving about their laid-back style of delivery. I don't know; maybe there are people who get off on this style of early rock and who don't need the energy level to be turned up all of the time. And it's not that The Sprague Brothers don't know how to do this; "Come Back Baby" (which I swear I've heard before) illustrates this well.

But with an almost drawl-like approach to the music (not the vocals, save your flame mail), it almost lulls the listener in to a neutral state - and maybe it's me, but that's not the way I like to be when I listen to an album. Tracks like "Money Makes The Man," "Pink Champagne," "Yum Yum (What Fun)" and "I Hope She Cries" tend to become mushed together into a light rockabilly stew.

All of this might sound like Forever And A Day isn't worth your time. I did not say this - and it would not be true. Tracks like "Remember, Forget, Remember, Forget," "Lucy" and "There's Always Some Price To Pay" all sparkle, and in general this disc is enjoyable to some degree. But if you expect your pulse to quicken when the music starts, it just ain't gonna happen.

It would be safe to say that Forever And A Day is really geared towards people who enjoy a more relaxed form of rockabilly - and if that's what you like, the more power to you. Other people might find a few songs to sink their teeth into on this one, and it is still interesting to listen to if you want to hear the roots of today's rock music. It's just hard to get passionate about this disc, though... kind of like the style of the music.

Rating: C+

User Rating: Not Yet Rated

Comments