With a name like the Yayhoos you wouldn't expect to take them seriously, and you don't need to. But they did make a seriously great record. You might remember our pal Eric "Roscoe" Ambel from many issues ago (or from Steve Earle's recent tours), and he's here playing guitar with his friends (ex- Georgia Satellites, Backsliders, Shaver etc.) in this ad- hoc band. He also recorded it, in a barn in North Carolina, and onto a single ADAT using 6 mics. That's right, only 8 tracks and it sounds fuller than a lot of "pro-studio" stuff I've heard lately. (I won't mention any names but have you heard Alien Ant Farm? My cat can record better sounding rock albums than that.) Anyway, they later mixed at Cowboy Technical Services Recording Rig with Jay Newland doing the honors. It sounds like a rock record should, loose and raw like four people rocking out in a barn. Fun, even the Abba cover. (www.bloodshotrecords.com)
Music Reviews | No. 26
Not on the Menu
by Larry Crane
Hillary Johnson is Tape Op's website designer and an occasional writer, but she's also member (keyboards) and engineer/producer for the Crowns on 45. This NY five piece would sit well on a bill with a...