Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup

All month I had been looking forward to this show. I'd heard rumor that Travis had been writing a few new songs and that they'd been recording some as well, and I was hoping that was true. As it turns out it was true. They did indeed have a few new songs to play and a 7 song CD of some of the studio stuff, but more on that later.
We got to Dans a bit early but that's ok since that meant I got a good seat. I also took some tequila with me so we can toss out the concept that I was going to take "Pro" level photos that night. Hell it's Dans so lighting pretty much negates being able to do really good photos anyway. I have to shoot a very high ISO and the stuff still comes out underexposed and grainy. So they basically chronicle the show but they'll never be album covers or magazine shots. But if I'm right about things someday I'll be able to shoot these guys at Verizon or someplace like that. As long as they remember to give me a photo pass that is.
Big Al opened up the show with Rock Romano on Bass, Terry Green on Guitar, and that drummer guy from some other band... Talk about an all star lineup of Houston legends. Worth the price of admission alone. I shot a bit of it.. I was still semi sober.

Earlier when we had gotten to Dans they were doing soundcheck and I noticed that they had to turn Too Tall's mic up a fair amount to be able to hear him. The first time I saw Too Tall, I could hardly hear the vocals at all but each time I see them play he seems to be getting a bit stronger and more confident in that area. I don't know exactly how long they've been together but it can't be a very long time. Either way it's cool to watch him find his voice on stage.

The new songs are sounding pretty good I think, honestly I think they have enough stuff to put out a great album. The 7 song demo I've listened to now, at least on my computer which has decent enough speakers but I'll withhold final judgment till I can listen to it on headphones. The demo sounds decent enough but it's missing something. The energy of live is only part of it. Maybe banjo? I don't know for sure but I can't say I heard the banjo at all on the first listen, again headphones may be needed. The drums are muted or just not "quite right" I realize this is just demo studio stuff and not really mixed so I can't complain to much. On the other hand it is my page so I can review as I see it, right? That being the case.. Rebel Woman sounds pretty good and since I've only heard it played once live I can't compare it to the demo as easily. It fares favorably vs the live. The second cut I'm going blank on what this instrumental is called. Don't like the studio version at all. It's almost too much "how many more notes can I play in this space" it doesn't flow as well as the live version and at the same time lacks the energy of live. Track 3, is maybe my favorite song of theirs, Melody Maker, so it's gonna be hard to please me on this track, that being said the biggest problem with this cut is the mix between the drums and guitar, the drums sound muted or flat to me. It sounds more like a soundboard recording of a live show.. you know since the drums aren't usually mic'd through the board you only hear what spills over. (then again what the hell do I know?). Track 4 is Redneck Woman, the vocals sound great. The drums almost are there. Track 5 another instrumental but this one isn't as different from the live version as track 2 was, all it needs is a better mix and it's ready for CD release. Track 6, is a new one or at least one I'm not familiar with. I like it a lot. Track 7, another of my favorites, but the demo/studio cd is missing a couple of things I think it really needs. Big Al on the 2nd guitar would be one of the biggest ones. It sounds ok but having heard it with full band it pales in comparison. All my bitching aside I think when they do get a finished CD out it's gonna be great, hell this demo is pretty damned good don't get me wrong. It's just that Too Tall and the Guilty Lineup are one of those bands that make live shows worth going out for.
Satyr
11/26/2005