Reviews
HOME		 Reviews
BIO 		Reviews
MUSIC 		Reviews
GIGS 		Reviews
REVIEWS 		Reviews
GALLERY		 Reviews
CONTACT

,



Indie-Music.com Review of Straight Up

Review By Les Reynolds
December 19, 2001
Steve Elliott and Lucie Walker prove -- once again -- that Nashville's not IT in country music -- anymore. The Canadians can do country just as well as anybody, maybe better. (Terri Clark, for instance.)

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based duo has released "Straight Up," a 10-song collection of soulful and passionate harmonies, danceable tunes and some rip-roarin' country rock. It's all done with high energy (although some tunes are a bit more laid back) and one gets the impression these two are really havin' some fun.

Steve and Lucie have only been singing together for about three years, but it sounds like ages. Their voices blend together beautifully to make these country tunes really stand out. It's Lucie's voice, however -- strong and pure -- that really carries the songs.

Instrumentally, this is pure country -- a perfect blend of traditional and modern. Two guys stand out from the talented mix of musicians: steel guitar player Charlie Hase and slide guitar player (and multi-instrumentalist) Jim Foster. It's the tunes that really rock which stand out -- the tunes where Jim just lets go and really lets 'er rrrrrrrrip.

Melodically, several of the songs are memorable -- i.e., you'll be hearing them in your head long afterwards. The opener, a rocker called "Feel the Fires Rage," is one such tune. Here, Charlie and Jim team up for some excellent guitar work.

Lyrically, the tunes are pretty standard fare, covering love and desire, love and loss and one tune about a redneck bar. But literary intricacy or thought-provoking social commentary aren't always what make a song good. Sometimes, the whole picture needs to be viewed. Commercial country music appeals to the gut-level emotions through basically simple lyrics and inviting melodies.

The long and short of it is just this: This CD has several smash hit possibilities -- commercial, Top 40, mainstream country radio. There's every reason in the world for it to happen.



TOP

Back to Reviews