Producer: Jeff Cole, Engineer: Jeff Cole, Tracks: Sugarfee; Harmony; Blood of the Wolf; Brother Franklin; Big As Life; Pep Rally; Z-RoXX; Dead Man's Float; Piccolo Joe; In the Neighborhood; Open Up the Gates; Get in the Game
Hamell On Trial (Ed Hamell on guitar & vocals with a few appearances by others to round out some of the sound in the studio) is a pretty intense performer if this recording is any judge. He's a fiercer version of Lois Maffeo with the very un-slick guitar sound. He's as intense as Liz Phair and approaches the intensity of Roky Erickson. Throw in a little of the Austin, Texas influence and you come away with an extremely interesting recording from an intriguing performer. I can imagine that his stage show must be rather manic. To somehow contain that into a cohesive form in the studio is a fair accomplishment.
Rating : ***