Moreland & Arbuckle Release Their Much Awaited Follow Up To Flood, “Just a Dream”
The Independent On Sunday, (Nick Coleman), October 2, 2011
(4 stars) Tom Wait’s “Heartattack and Vine” gets a run-out…if you know that small masterpiece, then you’ll know the M&A vibe.
Guitar & Bass, November 2011
With one of the coolest throbbing guitar sounds we’ve encountered, M&A instantly have our undivided attention.
Amazon Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Raw and Bold, Rock and Blues, 30 Aug 2011
By Dr. Debra Jan Bibel “World Music Explorer” – Published on Amazon U.S.
This review is for: Just a Dream (Audio CD)
This music grabs you from the outset: raw rock, gritty electric blues, deep Southern guitar, harmonica, keyboards, voice, and pounding drums. This music is thick as molasses. Not an expert on blues, though much appreciative of the various regional styles, I soak in the notes, the emotional rhythms. These three musicians conjure an atmosphere of heat, a rural bar scene, a crowd of head-nodding and torso-shaking listeners. The 48 minutes and 11 tracks speed by and I must . . . listen . . . again. This is an impressive, strong album.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Band…Better Live, 16 Sep 2011
By Dr.Bob Cohn – Published on Amazon U.S.
This review is for: Just a Dream (Audio CD)
Saw these guys about a month ago in Alexandria Va. They opened for Eric Johnson. I was really not ready for the amount of sound these guys created as a 3 piece band. Their back to roots blues is awesome…and they can wail!!!
I suggest picking up this album…It’s great.
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Moreland and Arbuckle!!, 25 Aug 2011
By Dylan Argyle – Published on Amazon U.S.
This review is for: Just a Dream (Audio CD)
This album is classic Moreland and Arbuckle. There is not a weak song here; every tune is a rocker. They do repeat a song: “So low” which originally appeared on the “Floyd’s Market” album (it’s a different version there), but it is such a great song, I don’t mind. The group is growing and expanding and exploring into new territory, but it is still the great sound that they are known for. If you’ve liked any of their previous albums (or are into the Black Keys, or Joe Bonamassa), you’ll love this one!
CD Description
Since their beginnings in the Kansas heartland a decade ago, guitarist Aaron Moreland and vocalist/harpist Dustin Arbuckle have captured the visceral spirit of the early 20th century Delta blues and the raw energy of post-World War II urban blues and distilled it all into a hard-driving and powerful garage-rock configuration of guitar, vocals, harp and drums. Moreland & Arbuckle build on that solid foundation with the release of their second album, ‘Just a Dream’, which features special guest Steve Cropper on one track.
The 12-song set showcases Moreland’s dynamic and compelling guitar work – two tracks were recorded on his cigar-box guitar consisting of three guitar strings and one bass string – Arbuckle’s emotionally charged vocals and edgy harp, and drummer Brad Horner’s rock-solid backbeat. The album is comprised of 8 new songs written by guitarist Aaron Moreland and vocalist / harpist Dustin Arbuckle, including the title track “Just a Dream” and the hard driving “Purgatory”. Also included are “Heartattack and Vine” by Tom Waits and Steve Cropper’s “White Lightnin’”, a track that the legendary guitarist makes a special guest appearance on. ‘Just a Dream’ adds a few layers of sophistication to the rootsy sensibility previously captured in the band’s acclaimed 2010 debut, ‘Flood’.
