BoDeans - Resolution (2004)

Country: U.S.A. 

Genre: Pop Rock

Label Number: Zoë 01143 1046-2

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© 2004 Zoë Records

Resolution Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

 Resolution is the BoDeans' first album of new material in eight years and the group's first release on Zoe. The band's sound -- in the past and present -- is built on a combination of American roots music and the songwriting team of Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann. Llanas and Neumann are both fine singers, too, but the duo's specialty is the way their voices intertwine. This is evident from Resolution's upbeat opener, "If It Makes You," a happy rocker filled with high-flying vocals and lots of guitar. This method works so well that the band follows with three more buoyant rockers before slowing down a bit for "Nobody Loves Me." While the program doesn't vary much from this basic blueprint, the BoDeans keep the energy level high and throw in enough variety to keep the arrangements interesting. Strings have been added to several cuts ("Marianne," "Crazy") to good effect, and accordion brings a bit of Tex-Mex to "Wild World." Two of the most effective pieces, "Two Souls" and "Slipping into You," downplay the heavier rock elements for evocative electric and acoustic blends. Resolution finds the BoDeans in good form as the band revisits its distinct brand of Americana, and will be eagerly sought after by fans.

 tags: bo deans, resolution, 2004, flac,