ARTIST: Bob Collum & The Welfare Mothers
TITLE: Set The Stupid Free
LABEL: Self-released
GENRE: Rock
TIME: 40:36 min
SIZE: 51,3 MB
RIP DATE: Dec-27-2007
RELEASE DATE: Jan-08-2008
WEBSITE: n/a
Track List:
01. Set The Stupid Free 03:49
02. Virginia Mystery 03:37
03. Mean River 03:52
04. Damaged One 02:55
05. Disco Jesus 03:20
06. Nevermore 03:01
07. Jennifer Jones 03:49
08. Well Runs Dry 03:23
09. Cemetery Blues 03:40
10. A Little Wind 03:45
11. Brought Up Wrong 03:04
12. Katie I Agree 02:21
Release Notes:
When Bob Collum released his last album "The Boy
Most Likely To.." in '04 one reviewer remarked that
this is what the pop charts in heaven must sound
like.es
The pleasures of the afterlife becomes more
attainable with the release of its follow up, "Set
The Stupid Free", in January 2008..and you don't
even have to die for the privilege!
Having released two albums stateside (1997's "More
Tragic Songs of Life" and 2000's "Low Rent Romeo"),
at the turn of the millennium Bob waved a fond
farewell to his Tulsa Oklahoma abode, and exiled
himself in South Essex, conveniently on the fringes
of the capital and the underground Americana music
scene. He then set about commandeering the tight
rhythm section he could find in Dan Wilkinson (Bass)
and Paul Quarry (Drums) to give his new songs the
tougher propulsive edge they demanded. The Welfare
Mothers were born and through gigging extensively,
began to build a following both around and outside
the UK.
After a few cracked-hearts, snapped guitar strings &
many memorable live shows along the way, we find
ourselves in 2008..."Set The Stupid Free" opens with
one of those attention-grabbing simple statements of
intent, and a brief invitation to what follows. A
simple guitar crash, understating the bands Who-like
comprehension of exciting rock dynamics, before
being swiftly seduced by the playful crying steel
guitar (provided by the legendary BJ Cole), and a
melodic, Byrds-ian country-edged soul, so central to
Bob & the Mothers sound.
Elsewhere on this emancipation ride, the breadth of
Bob's song-writing and the band's reach takes in
earthy rock grooves (Virgina Mystery), intimate yet
universal confessionals (Katie I Agree) and a
hypnotic musing on the likelihood of second-coming
quitting all that sanctity lark and setting up a
mobile karaoke unit (Disco Jesus).
Ultimately, "Set The Stupid Free" marks a turning
point, where a promising talented band steps up to
command attention. Inviting, compelling you to sign
up for the cause.