R.E.M. meets Bob Dylan and the two have some beer -- or at least it sounds like that's where Larry O. Dean originated this strange mix of alt-country, folk, and 1960s rock & roll. Dean's unique mixture of American cultural music on Sir Slob is quite nice. For those who enjoy good old-fashioned classic rock-based music, Sir Slob hits the mark. This is a decisive and cohesive recording that seems to bring the landscape of America to life. One can almost picture a guitar player and his backup band singing away the blues of life on some bar's stage somewhere in Middle America. Dean's work is unique, warm, and quite evocative, painting pictures of the world all around us and bringing together the best of an emotionally conscious and roots-based musical recording. Truly though, Dean's music is most reminiscent of Neil Young's collection of 1970s recordings and, in a lot of ways, their styles are very similar, pairing grit and truth with guitars and low, almost pleading vocals. Larry O. Dean has crafted a fine recording, and one that is certainly worthy of attention.
© Matt Borghi /TiVo