NRBQ
NRBQ (Rounder)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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30 years down the rock 'n roll road from their first release, NRBQ is still at it, it being their unique blend of rock, pop, jazz and even the occasional tilt toward the R&B that inspired their middle initials (though it's been a long time since they were actually billed as the New Rhythm & Blues Quartet. They're hardly new anymore, there's really not that much rhythm & blues involved, and sometimes they haven't even been a quartet...) For their 30th anniversary album, NRBQ stays pretty close to the pop side of their formula, though there's some hard rockin' to be had and more than a heaping helping of the wacky (sometimes corny) sense of humor that has been a regular feature of their sound.

Don't let the simplicity of the sounds on this new one fool you - NRBQ is still fully capable of and highly likely to rip into a Sun Ra space out at a show. There's nothing quite so extreme here. This is a great one to get started with, even if you're getting started way too late in the game. It's absolutely no place to stop, but there's no need to worry about that, because the Q shows no sign of slowing down. There's plenty of time to get used to this disc, get caught up on everything else (Rounder has had an NRBQ reissue campaign underway for awhile) and catch them live, which is where they truly shine.

Of course, if you're part of the legion of NRBQ fans, you were waiting in line the day this was released. If you're not, well, either you've never heard them or there's something seriously wrong with you. So get this one, get ready to smile and get on board for the next 30 years.

Track List: Ain't No Horse * Sail On Sail On * Pain * Housekeeping * Breakaway To My Dreams * Puddin' Truck * CM Pups * Take Me To Your Secret * Blame It On The World * Birdman * I Want My Mommy * Careful What You Ask For * Tired Of Your Permanent * Love Came To Me * Termites

(C) 1998 - Shaun Dale