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The 77's
Holy Ghost Building
©2008 Fools Of The World, Ltd.
www.77s.com
Having followed Mike Roe and the 77's career since the early 1980's, eclectic blues is a word best describing the brunt
of their music. From the early new/alternative rock sound (Ping Pong Over The Abyss, All Fall Down) to the late '80's/early
'90's alternative/ pop sensibility/blues concoctions (self-titled, 88, Sticks & Stones) to early/late '90's hard rock/acoustic-infused/blues
combinations (Pray Naked, Drowning In Land With Sight) to the present decade's slightly experimental/dream/loop-based/acoustic
blues (Fun With Sound, Orbis), Mike Roe and company's eclectic blues have been an undercurrent throughout their lifespan.
With the connections made, Holy Ghost Building is a tribute to the early gospel blues writers who unknowingly would lay
the foundation for the early rock and roll movement of the '50's and '60's. Mike Roe has stretched the envelope for his fans,
though those of us staying the course for years tend to accept wherever he stretches it.
The disc is one of their strongest to date. It had to be a project full of covers to pull it off. They seem to do well
with cover songs. Those in attendance at this summer's Cornerstone may agree with this, as evidenced by their Doors cover.
My absolute favorite cuts are the slide guitar venture, "You're Gonna Be Sorry" and "I'm Gonna Run To The City
Of Refuge". The one cut not belonging is actually the only one written by the 77's, "A Lifetime Without You".
It is a good song though, just not in the groove of the album. On just about any other disc of theirs, it would fill in perfectly.
This is another solid effort by veterans of this Christian rock scene.
9.5 of 10 clicks
thecannyshark
August 2008
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