Gregory Robson
11/25/09, 04:44 AM
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers - The Bear
Record Label: Vanguard Records
Release Date: Sept. 9, 2009
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers is in many ways the little band that could. Originally formed in Northampton, MA, the trio is comprised of vocalist/lyricist/chief songwriter Stephen Kellogg, bassist Keith "Kit" Karlson and drummer Brian "Boots" Factor, all of whom met in college at UMass-Amherst in the the mid 90s. The band's biggest claim to fame was their 2005 self-titled effort on Atlantic Records, that met with widespread acclaim. Since that time the band has released 2007's Glassjaw Boxer, named a top five album of the year by USA Today critic Brian Mansfield, and this year's The Bear, the band's fourth full-length album.
A sought after songwriter, Kellogg has co-written a host of tracks with the likes of Mark Erelli, Kyle Riabko, and Todd Martin, to name but a few. The Sixers have developed a moderate fan base by touring almost nonstop year-round. In the last two years, they have performed over 300 shows, and have been steadily moving thousands of copies of their independently released albums. Given these credentials one would expect The Bear to be a veritable homerun. But sometimes the far reaches of hope and ambition can only do so much.
A 13-track, 60-plus minute effort, The Bear is an exhaustive, muddled and highly unfocused effort from a band that's far better than the album lets on. The album's opener/title track is an attempt at folk revue harmony that unfortunately comes across as campy and ordinary. The fact that it sounds like it was recorded in a backwoods cabin is really its only charm. What exactly Kellogg is discussing when he sings, "Sometimes the bear gets you, sometimes you get the bear," is anyone's guess, and why exactly the song serves as the disc's title track also leaves a lot room for interpretation.
Thankfully the disc settles down and finds its groove. "A (With Love)" is a mature offering about a troubled teenager and "Shady Esperado and the Young Hearts," features the laid back nature of the 60s Haight-Asbury folk scene. "See Yourself," is Kellogg's chance at mimicking the Allman Brothers and its a rollicking good time with sensitive lyrics and a touching sentiment. "Oh Adeline" is the album's first attempt at writing an epic and certainly has charm. Cozied by a reeling organ and Kellogg's always strong vocalwork, "Oh Adeline," is a meditation and one of the album's finer points.
"Dying Wish of a Teenager," is another pensive number that seems to be a continuation of "A (With Love)," though it is somewhat more morose, defeated and haggard. Those three sentiments are why the song shines. Few singers can emote and croon as well as Kellogg and he proves exactly that on "Dying Wish." All the superlatives fall to the background on the horribly cliched "All Part of the Show," which is followed by the autobiographical acoustic treat "Satisfied Man." The song is sincere, candid and warm, featuring nothing more than Kellogg's voice and a guitar. Though its probably not commercially viable these are the kinds of songs that Kellogg should sing more often. Unadorned, understated and absolutely gorgeous. The only problem is sometimes Kellogg goes for the jugular and overdoes it.
Case in point is "My Old Man," in which Kellogg attempts to eulogize his father and while the intentions are strong the execution is horribly lackluster. On most discs this would be the album's lost point, but that is unfortunately not the case as the horribly self-indulgent, "Do," follows. A lame attempt at dancehall friendliness, "Do," is forced, awkward and uncomfortable. Did Kellogg really think he could pull this off?
And then, as if to atone for all the album's stumbles, the disc ends with three of the best in Kellogg's 12-year career. "Lonely in Columbus," is a heartbreaking, devastating look at life on the road, while "Mabeline," is a crunchy slice of roots-rock that features a swarm of reverb and an indefatigable spirit that lasts into seven minute territory. The self-effacing "Born in the Spring," bemoans the pangs of being born in the winter and the struggles of making it as a touring musician.
Having been revered on this very site for his work on Glassjaw Boxer, one would hope that this album would be an extension of that. Unfortunately it appears the band got too reckless with its own creative liberties and chose to write an album for itself. As a band who is still without a major label and still tours the nation as a largely unknown act, it's a bit puzzling to think why exactly the band put forth such an unfocused mess.
No, The Bear is not all bad. In fact, seven of the 13 songs are worth remembering and coming back to. But in the days of dwindling album sales and the rise of digital music, crafting an album of ten near-perfect songs wouldn't be the worst thing. Instead, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are hoping this is the album to carry them forward. Let's hope it works.
1. The Bear
2. A (With Love)
3. Shady Esperanto and the Young Hearts
4. See Yourself
5. Oh Adeline
6. Dying Wish of a Teenager
7. All Part of the Show
8. Satisfied Man
9. My Old Man
10. Do
11. Lonely in Columbus
12. Mabeline
13. Born in the Spring
Will Hoge, The Alternate Routes, Kyle Riabko, John Mellancamp, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/sk6ers)
Website (http://www.stephenkellogg.com)
Record Label: Vanguard Records
Release Date: Sept. 9, 2009
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers is in many ways the little band that could. Originally formed in Northampton, MA, the trio is comprised of vocalist/lyricist/chief songwriter Stephen Kellogg, bassist Keith "Kit" Karlson and drummer Brian "Boots" Factor, all of whom met in college at UMass-Amherst in the the mid 90s. The band's biggest claim to fame was their 2005 self-titled effort on Atlantic Records, that met with widespread acclaim. Since that time the band has released 2007's Glassjaw Boxer, named a top five album of the year by USA Today critic Brian Mansfield, and this year's The Bear, the band's fourth full-length album.
A sought after songwriter, Kellogg has co-written a host of tracks with the likes of Mark Erelli, Kyle Riabko, and Todd Martin, to name but a few. The Sixers have developed a moderate fan base by touring almost nonstop year-round. In the last two years, they have performed over 300 shows, and have been steadily moving thousands of copies of their independently released albums. Given these credentials one would expect The Bear to be a veritable homerun. But sometimes the far reaches of hope and ambition can only do so much.
A 13-track, 60-plus minute effort, The Bear is an exhaustive, muddled and highly unfocused effort from a band that's far better than the album lets on. The album's opener/title track is an attempt at folk revue harmony that unfortunately comes across as campy and ordinary. The fact that it sounds like it was recorded in a backwoods cabin is really its only charm. What exactly Kellogg is discussing when he sings, "Sometimes the bear gets you, sometimes you get the bear," is anyone's guess, and why exactly the song serves as the disc's title track also leaves a lot room for interpretation.
Thankfully the disc settles down and finds its groove. "A (With Love)" is a mature offering about a troubled teenager and "Shady Esperado and the Young Hearts," features the laid back nature of the 60s Haight-Asbury folk scene. "See Yourself," is Kellogg's chance at mimicking the Allman Brothers and its a rollicking good time with sensitive lyrics and a touching sentiment. "Oh Adeline" is the album's first attempt at writing an epic and certainly has charm. Cozied by a reeling organ and Kellogg's always strong vocalwork, "Oh Adeline," is a meditation and one of the album's finer points.
"Dying Wish of a Teenager," is another pensive number that seems to be a continuation of "A (With Love)," though it is somewhat more morose, defeated and haggard. Those three sentiments are why the song shines. Few singers can emote and croon as well as Kellogg and he proves exactly that on "Dying Wish." All the superlatives fall to the background on the horribly cliched "All Part of the Show," which is followed by the autobiographical acoustic treat "Satisfied Man." The song is sincere, candid and warm, featuring nothing more than Kellogg's voice and a guitar. Though its probably not commercially viable these are the kinds of songs that Kellogg should sing more often. Unadorned, understated and absolutely gorgeous. The only problem is sometimes Kellogg goes for the jugular and overdoes it.
Case in point is "My Old Man," in which Kellogg attempts to eulogize his father and while the intentions are strong the execution is horribly lackluster. On most discs this would be the album's lost point, but that is unfortunately not the case as the horribly self-indulgent, "Do," follows. A lame attempt at dancehall friendliness, "Do," is forced, awkward and uncomfortable. Did Kellogg really think he could pull this off?
And then, as if to atone for all the album's stumbles, the disc ends with three of the best in Kellogg's 12-year career. "Lonely in Columbus," is a heartbreaking, devastating look at life on the road, while "Mabeline," is a crunchy slice of roots-rock that features a swarm of reverb and an indefatigable spirit that lasts into seven minute territory. The self-effacing "Born in the Spring," bemoans the pangs of being born in the winter and the struggles of making it as a touring musician.
Having been revered on this very site for his work on Glassjaw Boxer, one would hope that this album would be an extension of that. Unfortunately it appears the band got too reckless with its own creative liberties and chose to write an album for itself. As a band who is still without a major label and still tours the nation as a largely unknown act, it's a bit puzzling to think why exactly the band put forth such an unfocused mess.
No, The Bear is not all bad. In fact, seven of the 13 songs are worth remembering and coming back to. But in the days of dwindling album sales and the rise of digital music, crafting an album of ten near-perfect songs wouldn't be the worst thing. Instead, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are hoping this is the album to carry them forward. Let's hope it works.
1. The Bear
2. A (With Love)
3. Shady Esperanto and the Young Hearts
4. See Yourself
5. Oh Adeline
6. Dying Wish of a Teenager
7. All Part of the Show
8. Satisfied Man
9. My Old Man
10. Do
11. Lonely in Columbus
12. Mabeline
13. Born in the Spring
Will Hoge, The Alternate Routes, Kyle Riabko, John Mellancamp, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/sk6ers)
Website (http://www.stephenkellogg.com)