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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Blind Uncle Harry

Visualize Industrial Collapse

Review by Gary Hill

Home-made folk music is probably the best description of this music. I would say that the music works better than the vocals for me, but your mileage may vary. At times, I'm definitely reminded of Arlo Guthrie to some degree. The lyrics of this are definitely topical and make some important points. I suppose that's the biggest compliment for folk music.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022  Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review
Christmas Day In Australia
Didgeridoo starts the track. A folk styled arrangement rises up. We get both male and female vocals on this tune. It has a real down-home hippie vibe to it. There is some pretty inspired acoustic guitar work on this. The Didgeridoo comes back in at the end.
Dopesmokers Of The World Unite And Take Over
Acoustic instrumentation serves as the background for vocals that feel like a group of stoners at a party. This gets a parental advisory on the lyrics.
American Way
The instrumental arrangement on this thing is downright magical. The music has a real traveling kind of groove to it. The instrumental break includes some rather bluesy acoustic guitar work.
I Just Want You To Know
This has some biting lyrics. It does earn a bit of a parental advisory for those lyrics. The music is more energized and driving than anything we've heard to this point. It is still folk based and has some country angles, though.
Burn Down The High School
Still folk rock based, this number turns more electric even than the previous one. It includes a full electric guitar solo.
Fly Away
As this opens it's stripped back just sparse acoustic guitar. The female vocals come over the top as that guitar is intermittent. The male vocals never show up here, The music gets intensified and augmented as this continues, but it never rises to the rock territory of the previous couple songs.
Song For Kori
Another mellow, folk tune, the male vocals are back here.
Jesus Is Coming In A Rat Turd
A live recording a club, the music is based on acoustic guitar and a horn. There are both male and female vocals here. This is a bouncy tune. This gets pretty energized as it continues. This does earn a bit of a parental advisory. This is a catchy song. In fact, I'd consider it one of the best here.
My Daddy Died When I Was Nine Years Old
A stripped back acoustic guitar arrangement is on the menu here. This is poignant and intimate.
You Said
This is a catchy tune that powers up to be more of a rocker. It's a good time.
Hole In The Ground
A fast-paced folk tune, this works pretty well. I really like the energy of it.
Four Days Drive To Chiapas
Another folk song with some country in the mix, this has some of the best vocals (of the female variety) on the whole disc. In fact, I'd consider this to be one of the highlights here. That makes it a great choice for closer. This is another that was recorded live.
 
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