Flatbed, Self-Titled: Good Stuff
Flatbed appears to have stuck to the basics on their debut, self-titled CD (Flatbedmusic), and I for one am glad they did; this is a really good CD.
Made up of Derek Bassett on vocals and guitar, Daniel Smith on guitar, Michael Tinsmon on bass, Joelle Labert on vocals (and tambourine), Ted Chubbuck Jr. on drums and John F. Brady on mandolin, dobro and vocals, Flatbed has incorporated a few more sounds to its roots rock sound, with more country and even jam and old-timey music coming to the forefront. The CD opens with "40 Miles," fast, chugging country rock with Labert singing of lost love and hope and her eventual broken heart. Her living in the country separates her from most people, her friends and the man she loves, and she takes to drinking away her problems, to no avail. Smith plays a nice, short solo. "Ride" is a jangly rocker of a relationship not working out; Bassett likes or loves her, but he loves the road more and his motorcycle is calling; Smith's solo is a bit punchier.
Labert's other songs feature her fine voice; "To Sea," a quieter, mostly acoustic song, has Joelle missing and praying for her man, who has gone to sea; "Roulette" is an upbeat two-stepper where she admires a Texan on the dance floor, apparently hoping he has moves elsewhere as well. Nathan Montague adds a fun harmonica solo.
Labert really steps out on two less country/rock tunes: the bluesy "Liver and Kidneys" is a great, slow jazzy/bluesy song where Joelle just wants to stay in for one night, knowing that if she goes out she'll be drinking and who knows what else, leaving her body sore again. Tinsmon adds some nice, smooth bass. "Big Winds Blow" is a cool old-timey song with touches of jazz and country (Bill Brandau's piano adds some magic); Labert sounds great as she seems to be watching life go by, as if she is recovering from the end of a relationship or hangover, possibly both. Bassett also sings on two lighter country rockers, "Lame Excuse," with a touch of southern rock, and "Lonely Dispatch," the tale of a rural vehicle dispatcher.
Flatbed can be contacted at: www.flatbedmusic.com or www.myspace.com/flatbedmusic.
Made up of Derek Bassett on vocals and guitar, Daniel Smith on guitar, Michael Tinsmon on bass, Joelle Labert on vocals (and tambourine), Ted Chubbuck Jr. on drums and John F. Brady on mandolin, dobro and vocals, Flatbed has incorporated a few more sounds to its roots rock sound, with more country and even jam and old-timey music coming to the forefront. The CD opens with "40 Miles," fast, chugging country rock with Labert singing of lost love and hope and her eventual broken heart. Her living in the country separates her from most people, her friends and the man she loves, and she takes to drinking away her problems, to no avail. Smith plays a nice, short solo. "Ride" is a jangly rocker of a relationship not working out; Bassett likes or loves her, but he loves the road more and his motorcycle is calling; Smith's solo is a bit punchier.
Labert's other songs feature her fine voice; "To Sea," a quieter, mostly acoustic song, has Joelle missing and praying for her man, who has gone to sea; "Roulette" is an upbeat two-stepper where she admires a Texan on the dance floor, apparently hoping he has moves elsewhere as well. Nathan Montague adds a fun harmonica solo.
Labert really steps out on two less country/rock tunes: the bluesy "Liver and Kidneys" is a great, slow jazzy/bluesy song where Joelle just wants to stay in for one night, knowing that if she goes out she'll be drinking and who knows what else, leaving her body sore again. Tinsmon adds some nice, smooth bass. "Big Winds Blow" is a cool old-timey song with touches of jazz and country (Bill Brandau's piano adds some magic); Labert sounds great as she seems to be watching life go by, as if she is recovering from the end of a relationship or hangover, possibly both. Bassett also sings on two lighter country rockers, "Lame Excuse," with a touch of southern rock, and "Lonely Dispatch," the tale of a rural vehicle dispatcher.
Flatbed can be contacted at: www.flatbedmusic.com or www.myspace.com/flatbedmusic.
posted by Kevin J. Hosey at 3:11 PM
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