(11) The Brandos - Gunfire At Midnight (1992)

The Brandos are an American rock band formed in New York in 1985. The core members are vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Dave Kincaid and bassist and vocalist Ernie Mendillo.
The gritty, back-to-basics rock & roll of New York's the Brandos has roots
Dave Kincaid (vocals, guitar), Ed Rupprecht (guitar, 1985-93), Ernie Mendillo (bass, vocals), Larry Mason (drums, 1985-93), Scott Kempner (guitar, 1993-present), Frank Funaro (drums, 1993-present), Frank Giordano (vocals, guitar, 1996-present)
The Brandos hail from NYC but sound like they come from some mythical Midwestern Heartland. The group has obviously been influenced by CCR but their sound is more edgey and sharp. Some have referred to their sound as roots rock but I would call it American folk rock. “Gunfire At Midnight” is their third album and is a awesome and display the musical skill of the band as well as Dave Kincaids' thought provoking lyrics. A no brainer for those already fans or for CCR fans looking for a more modern example of quitessentialy American folk influenced rock n roll.

In the Seattle scene, but not the one that become famous. Brandos frontman Dave Kincaid once led the Allies, an early-'80s power pop band that won an MTV contest with the video for "Emma Peel." However, the new wave-influenced acts emanating from the Emerald City back then received little attention outside of the Pacific Northwest so Kincaid split from the Allies and moved to New York in 1985. While skimming through the Village Voice, Kincaid saw an ad from the group Soul Attack looking for another lead singer. Kincaid joined the band and changed their name to The Brandos.

Tracklisting
01 - Gunfire at Midnight (Kincaid) - 4:14
02 - The Solution (Kincaid) - 4:17
03 - How the Dice Fell (Kincaid) - 3:28
04 - Ridin' the Red-Eye (Kincaid) - 3:46
05 - Anna Lee (Funk/Kincaid) - 3:40
06 - We Are No Man (Funk/Kincaid) - 3:14
07 - Fortunes of War (Kincaid) - 2:57
08 - Partners (Funk/Kincaid) - 3:53
09 - The Keeper (Kincaid) - 3:46
10 - One-Dog Brown (Funk/Kincaid/Ruppre) - 3:50
11 - The Last Tambourine (Kincaid) - 2:13

Time: 39:18

Personnel:
Vocals, Guitar - Dave Kincaid
Bass, Vocals - Ernie Mendillo
Drums, Vocals - Larry Mason
Guitar, Vocals - Ed Rupprecht
Mastered By - Greg Calbi
Photography, Artwork By [Frontcover Design] - Mick Rock
Producer, Vocals, Guitar - Dave Kincaid
Recorded By, Mixed By, Piano - Don Sternecker
Notes: Recorded and mixed by Don Sternecker at Mix-O-Lydian Studios, Boonton, N.J.
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, N.Y.C.

Label: Spv Germany
Release Date: 1992
Genre: Rock, Art Rock
Producer: Dave Kincaid

(02) The Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall (1992)

In 1992 the Jayhawks had their major label release, “Hollywood Town Hall”, on Def American. The album was produced by Drakoulias and recorded primarily in Los Angeles and at Pachyderm Recording Studio in Minnesota. Though Louris' fuzzy guitar was at the forefront, a clear folksy influence was also emerging in Olson and Louris' songwriting. The album was a hit, powered by the single "Waiting for the Sun", and it brought the Jayhawks a wider fanbase.

The Jayhawks' breakthrough album is a roots rock classic. "Like folk music, but really loud," is how guitarist Gary Louris liked to describe the Jayhawks, but the reality is more complex--try the country-rock sound of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Neil Young, or the Band married to white-boy soul, bar band rawness, and a slight alternative edge. “Hollywood Town Hall” is a masterpiece of American songwriting, blending irresistible melodies, ringing guitars, and Louris and Olson's gorgeous harmonies with moody, imagery-rich lyrics.

The album – ten songs that blend into a seamless whole – conjures images of the Flying Burrito Brothers touching down in Minnesota. The key is song-writers Gary Louris and Mark Olson – a team that possesses an uncanny knack for making the most rudimentary offering seem fresh. The songs on Town Hall amble easily down the path already cut by kindred spirits like Neil Young and the Burrito Brothers before them. But when Louris's and Olson's voices rise together, the resulting magic somehow seems like nothing you've heard before. "Waiting for the Sun," which lays Louris's guitar crunch beneath the tune's laid-back sway, almost becomes an anthem, while "Clouds" revels in the pure fun of country-tinged jangle as it subversively spits out lyrics like "The God of the rich man ain't the God for the poor."

All songs by Mark Olson and Gary Louris except "Witchita" by Olson, Louris and Marc Perlman.

Tracklist:
01 - "Waiting for the Sun" – 4:19
02 - "Crowded in the Wings" – 4:55
03 - "Clouds" – 4:51
04 - "Two Angels" – 4:04
05 - "Take Me with You (When You Go)" – 4:50
06 - "Sister Cry" – 4:08
07 - "Settled Down Like Rain" – 3:00
08 - "Wichita" – 5:26
09 - "Nevada, California" – 4:05
10 - "Martin's Song" – 2:58

Total Time: 42:36

Personnel:
Mark Olson – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, vocals
Marc Perlman – bass
Ken Callahan – drums
Gary Louris – electric guitar, fuzz guitar, guitar, vocals

Additional musicians:
Charley Drayton – ?
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Benmont Tench – organ

Production notes:
George Drakoulias – producer
Howie Weinberg – mastering
Tom Herbers – engineer
Brian Jenkins – engineer
Brendan O'Brien – engineer
Jim Rondinelli – engineer
Joe Henry – liner notes
Martyn Atkins – art direction

Released: 1992
Recorded: Hollywood Sound and Pachyderm Studio
Genre: Rock
Label: American Recordings
Producer: George Drakoulias