Big in Iowa – Bangin’ ‘n’ Knockin’
An album that opens with a song called “Neil’s On The Radio” and finishes with a cover of “Cinnamon Girl” sort of telegraphs the gritty, post-grunge wavelength this Cincinnati band uses to beam us aboard their rattling pick-up truck. Hence, there are not many surprises, but the trip is worth the effort.
Bob Burns, who plays rhythm and sings, and bassist Ken Glidewell create solid rock structures — as in “Don’t Be Mad” and the modern-rocky “Miss You” — and layer them with top-heavy stacks of guitar roar amid Jeff Wilson’s propulsive percussion. Rick House adds guitar, mandolin, and bellowing sing-along choruses.
One of the best cuts is time-proven: “Two Lane Highway” features ringing lead guitar from Larry Goshorn, who also played on the original version of the song recorded by Pure Prairie League in 1975. It might be more satisfying next time to alter the formula with more League and less Neil Young. But, then, that may be blasphemy.