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Gringo Star

All Y'All

(My Anxious Mouth; US: 4 Nov 2008)

A nice name, isn’t it, you see…oh nevermind. This Atlanta band sounds like The Von Bondies and other garage rock groups of that ilk. However they seem to possess a bit more spit and polish on the opening title track and “Up And Down”, both of which resemble a poor man’s version of The Kinks. Produced by Ben H. Allen (he of Animal Collective and Gnarls Barkley fame), the record also has touches of Sun Records chugging rockabilly on “Ask Me Why” and the simply, Fratellis-ish “Come On Now”. But they definitely shine and show a new side on the gorgeous alt.country-tinged “Transmission” and the kooky but clever “All Day Long” and “Holding Onto Hate”, the latter sounding like it came from Spoon’s songbook. Another little gem here is the rootsy “Eve Of Your Expression” which also is a keeper. On the whole, it’s something Ringo would be proud of.

Rating:

Originally from Cape Breton, MacNeil is currently writing for the Toronto Sun as well as other publications, including All Music Guide, Billboard.com, NME.com, Country Standard Time, Skope Magazine, Chart Magazine, Glide, Ft. Myers Magazine and Celtic Heritage. A graduate of the University of King's College, MacNeil currently resides in Toronto. He has interviewed hundreds of acts ranging from Metallica and AC/DC to Daniel Lanois and Smokey Robinson. MacNeil (modestly referred to as King J to friends), a diehard Philadelphia Flyers fan, has seen the Rolling Stones in a club setting, thereby knowing he will rest in peace at some point down the road. Oh, and he writes for PopMatters.com.


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Gringo Star - All Y'all
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12 Dec 2011
Gringo Star is a harmless power-pop group with a fondness for the British invasion. Despite their playful name, their music lacks the sense of fun or the absolute devotion to '60s song-craft that such a name might suggest.
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