High Hat (6 String Drag album)
High Hat | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1997 | |||
Studio | Room & Board | |||
Label | E-Squared[1] | |||
Producer | the twangtrust | |||
6 String Drag chronology | ||||
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High Hat is the second album by the American band 6 String Drag, released in 1997.[2][3] The album cover was created by drummer Ray Duffey.[4]
The band broke up the next year, before reuniting in the 2010s.[5]
Production
[edit]Recorded in Nashville, the album was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy, under their twangtrust production name.[6][7][8] The band spent five weeks in the studio, over two sessions in late 1996 and early 1997.[9]
The songs were written or cowritten by frontman Kenny Roby.[10] "Over & Over" incorporates elements of Dixieland music.[11] "Ghost" was recorded live, in one take.[9] Earle guested on "I Can't Remember".[12]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Baltimore Sun | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Orlando Sentinel | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
St. Paul Pioneer Press | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The State | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Chicago Reader determined that "the tunes are catchy and the execution is succinct, and while singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter Kenny Roby has yet to develop a distinct musical personality, he’s got the raw material to do so: his nasal croon carries him from fragile ballads into full-tilt rockers and his hooks sink in."[18] The Washington City Paper concluded: "Like the Bottle Rockets, 6 String Drag plays country-tinged rock not only for the meaning but for the fun of it. In a Son Volt world, that’s a big deal; better to err on the side of the lightweight, as High Hat occasionally does, than to romanticize 12-pack-sodden gloom."[19]
The Orlando Sentinel labeled "Elaine" "a pretty pop tune vaguely reminiscent of both Roy Orbison and the Everlys."[15] Stereo Review stated that "6 String Drag fits into the alt-rock category but moves away from boring melodies, cryptic lyrics. and half-dead vocals to fuse a rootsrock/country fest of infectious hooks and literate writing that is not just winning but inspiring."[20] The State deemed it "a gritty, rough-around-the-edges record that crackles with instrumental spontaneity and hearty singing."[17] The St. Paul Pioneer Press praised the "endearing Junior Brown-goofiness."[16]
AllMusic wrote that "6 String Drag expands their sound to include the influences of Dixieland and Stax/Volt-era soul; combined with their already impressive grasp of country and rock, High Hat is an exciting crazy-quilt of styles."[13] Reviewing the 2018 reissue, Goldmine called High Hat "one of alt-country’s cornerstone albums."[21]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Bottle of Blues" | |
2. | "Elaine" | |
3. | "Gasoline Maybelline" | |
4. | "Guilty" | |
5. | "Red" | |
6. | "Driven Man" | |
7. | "From Me to Clayton" | |
8. | "Cold Steel Brace" | |
9. | "85 on 85" | |
10. | "Ghost" | |
11. | "I Can't Remember" | |
12. | "Over & Over" | |
13. | "Top of the Mountain" | |
14. | "Keep on Pushin'" |
References
[edit]- ^ Martin, Richard (Nov 1997). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 51. pp. 51–52.
- ^ "6 String Drag Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (22 Jan 1998). "A tale of two bands (and one city)". Austin American-Statesman. p. 12.
- ^ Schulman, Sandra (2 Sep 1997). "Americana". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3E.
- ^ Seely, Mike (March 21, 2018). "6 String Drag's Kenny Roby on Alt-Country Band's Reunion, Working with Steve Earle". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Verna, Paul (Jan 10, 1998). "High Hat". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 2. p. 69.
- ^ Allen, Jim (March 28, 2018). "6 String Drag Gives Alt-Country a New Spin on Top of the World". Indy Week.
- ^ "6 String Drag – Carolina, In The Pines". No Depression. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ a b Credle, Melanie (August 29, 1997). "6 String Breaks – Look what that cat Steve Earle dragged in...". Preview. The Herald-Sun. p. 12.
- ^ Bernhardt, Jack (August 29, 1997). "Raleigh's 6 String Drag offers just enough twang with their lyrical rock to qualify as alternative country...". What's Up. The News & Observer. p. 12.
- ^ a b "6 String Drag High Hat". Features. The Baltimore Sun. 9 Apr 1998. p. 10.
- ^ Franco, Jose (September 5, 1997). "6 String Drag's indescribable sound". Herald-Journal. p. D9.
- ^ a b "High Hat". AllMusic.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1023–1024.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (17 Oct 1997). "Roots-Rock – Musical Antidote to Grunge". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 8.
- ^ a b Walsh, Jim (September 12, 1997). "Go Ahead ... Become a New Member of the Alt.Country Club". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 1E.
- ^ a b Miller, Michael (September 5, 1997). "Clemson Connections". Weekend. The State. p. 12.
- ^ Margasak, Peter (February 12, 1998). "6 String Drag". Chicago Reader.
- ^ Wright, Rickey (November 7, 1997). "High Hat". Washington City Paper.
- ^ Nash, Alanna (Dec 1997). "High Hat". Stereo Review. Vol. 62, no. 12. p. 122.
- ^ Thompson, Dave. "Reviews: Six String Drag". Goldmine.