Can't Complain

by

Basin Brothers and The Bacon Brothers

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In naming their first CD "FOROSOCO," the Bacon Brothers told us that they enjoyed exploring the intersection of many musical styles. "Can't Complain" continues this tradition and adds a stronger interplay of Michael's classical music training.

The Brothers put their interplay interest to great use in the song, "Paris." The basic song, in the folk rock genre, tells of the paranoia of culture shock. Playing against this is the string quartet's intro and background playing. Listen carefully, and you can hear echoes of "An American in Paris," in which a tourist had a much happier reaction to the City of Lights.

Meanwhile, a straight rock approach tells the story of a teenage boy going to Woodstock 99. He should have been appalled by what he experienced, but it was the best time he ever had.

As in their prior CD's, the stories and characters are as interesting and varied as their music. Kevin tells us of his love for his tour bus while Michael reminds us that the "60's weren't so great by referencing Ira Einhorn, the "Unicorn Killer."

I'm glad the Brothers continue to share their enthusiasms with us.

The Bacon Brothers are an actual rock band and not the vanity project so many other bands with movie star front men turn out to be. Kevin Bacon sings with authority and when his lack of range betrays him, he still attacks each song with gusto. Michael's voice is well suited to the more folk-like sound of the songs he sings lead on, but when he tries to rock he does not quite carry it off. The songs themselves range from bad ballads like "Paris" and Heart Half Full" to cute numbers like "Baby Steps" and "Leave the Lava Lamp On For Me" to truly good numbers like "I'm So Glad I'm Not Married" with its solid rockabilly sound and Kevin's ode to the tour bus, aptly titled "Bus." And with "Summer of Love (Woodstock '99)" Kevin writes a classic with a song that neatly sums up that particular disaster. This band is worth checking out and even though there are rough spots; you definitely get the feeling these guys are working hard.