THE SONGS OF ROUTE 66
(Lazy SOB)
“It winds from Chicago to L.A.,” and this comp goes in reverse order, starting
with the noir-sounding theme from the TV show and Bobby Troup’s cocktail-y
original. Before Charles Brown’s R&B reprise of that song finishes things
off, this tape winds through country and roots territory — there’s Kevin Welch
and Mary Cutrufello comin’ up on your left, and on the right we have Red Dirt
Rangers and Jimmy LaFave. Great driving music, not just for 66 but for any
highway. —Christopher Gray
BOXCAR PROPHETS
Little Tortures (Anti Freeze)
Led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeff Winter, Austin’s Boxcar Prophets are a
gimmick-free, AOR trio, whose debut rests comfortably on professional studio
production and performance. And while rock this air-tight may not be downright
invigorating, there’s enough smart songwriting here to satisfy. — Andy Langer
THE KNIEVELS
[[exclamdown]]Que Sabor! (Sweatbox)
Here’s a young, fresh local trio subsisting on nervous poptones topped
with weepy vocal harmonies. Though their new wave and college radio influences
are blurred well, these 10 songs remain somewhat undistinguished. The sound is
that of a rough draft, and the songwriting needs focus, but there are subtle
hints of promise in them there hills. — Greg Beets
“Bonus Tracks” reviews all local and Texas-based releases commercially
available: Send to “Bonus Tracks,” The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066,
Austin, TX 78765
This article appears in June 14 • 1996 and June 14 • 1996 (Cover).