MUCKRAKERS-Front Of The Parade/LOUISVILLE KY.Hammond B3

It's hard to badmouth a band generous enough to turn over a track on their first major-label album to another group who happen to be their friends, as the Muckrakers do with a (barely) hidden track tagged onto the end of 2005's Front of the Parade. And with Front of the Parade as evidence, the Muckrakers sure seem likeable as all get out — the songs are bright and tuneful, the playing is sharp and cleanly executed, Rob Carpenter's lead vocals are all winsome sincerity, and the production adds a clean layer of polish to their performances. Front of the Parade is almost aggressively competent, but that virtue is also the Muckrakers' Achilles' heel; as craft, this music is polished and professional, but the material lacks a needed soul and personality. Sounding like a cross between Barenaked Ladies and Matchbox 20 with a dash of Dave Matthews for seasoning, Front of the Parade is the sound of fresh-scrubbed college students playing sincere and energetic pop music that never rocks too hard, and even the hip-hop breakdown in "When the Morning Comes" is clean, spunky, and well-mannered. But while the Muckrakers sound like they'd be fine roommates (bet they'd never be late with the rent and always do their dishes), this album never gets out of emotional or musical third gear, and the sameness of the Muckrakers' 12 songs begins to wear long before the album is over. There's nothing wrong with Front of the Parade, but that's part of the problem — for all the obvious talent on display there are precious few chances taken, and one senses a bit of grit and tension in the right places would do the Muckrakers a world of good.

 wayyy great, January 18, 2009
By  Bradley N. Halleck (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
    

This review is from: Front of the Parade (MP3 Download)
heard one song on the XM Cafeand was floored way good a very lucky find wish they were still together ! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    Amazing!, September 13, 2006
By  J. Brandner "jab24" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
    

I had the privilege of meeting these guys when I helped put together Valleypalooza (a Western Ky. University event) several years ago and then seeing them perform at Happy Inn later that very night. Their songs and sound are amazing and in purchasing this album you won't be disappointed. They are by far, the best that I have heard in a VERY long time! I hope to hear more from them in the very near future. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    The Muckrakers Are Awesome!, September 4, 2006
By  BelleFromGa - See all my reviews

This is an awesome cd! I especially love "Working My Way"! I hope y'all will check this out, you won't be disappointed. Great job and kudos to The Muckrackers! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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   3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 From Muckrakers Day to Parades, November 26, 2005
By  Jason Shawn "fistagon7" (Manassas, VA United States) - See all my reviews
    

From Smother Magazine - [...]

Louisville, Kentucky has had a "Muckrakers Day" as proclaimed by the mayor after about 800 people showed up for a pre-release concert there. AAA pop-rock band The Muckrakers are still getting used to all the attention. With "Front of the Parade" they continue down the well traveled road of musical influences with Barenaked Ladies, Matchbox 20, and Crowded House among their inspirations. The music is riddled with pop hooks and was produced by Todd Smith whose previous work has included Smash Mouth and Days of the New. The Muckrakers are fine alternatives to what is plaguing modern pop radio today. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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   1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Finally, November 18, 2005
By  Travis Best "T Best" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
    

After many years of hearing them in bars, events and even Happy Inn, finally they have made it. Absolutly increadable cd. Very happy with the purchase. A classic road trip or sit around the house a chill album. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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   2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
 Best Album yet!, November 4, 2005
By  jefftb (Bowling Green, KY) - See all my reviews

I've been following The Muckrakers since the band formed at Western Kentucky University. They have gotten better and better with each album. This, their third album, is awesome! The Muckrakers are now a big hit in the Louisville music scene and are bound to go further than that!

Grab this CD and enjoy the rich lyrics and fantastic sound! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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   1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Best album of 2005, October 19, 2005
By  D. Blake (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
    

Every song on this record is outstanding. Go out and buy this record, you will not be disappointed. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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   5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
 Excellent national debut effort, September 16, 2005
By  D. Belcher (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
    

After being a popular act in the local scene around Louisville and the rest of the Kentucky for years, the Muckrakers have finally gone national with "Front of the Parade." A curious pop-rock act, the Muckrakers manage to combine traditional arrangements with interesting melodies, great chord progressions, pop sensibilities, and memorable lyrics.

The album opens with one of the highlights, "Cigarettes and Magazines." This tune brings together all of the band's strong points into one irresistable masterpiece. It's a toe-tapper with a smooth, catch melody and excellent interplay by the band. Clean electric and acoustic guitar mesh to provide a smooth but powerful lead. Behind that, the Hammond B3 organ, played by producer Todd Smith, highlights the great chord changes that bring this song together. And the same holds true for the next tune, "Through My Door." The band is incredibly tight in this radio-friendly number with lyrics that burrough into your mind and won't leave.

"Breathe In Breathe Out" is another high point of the album; it's minor key and dark arrangement make it a truly beautiful song. Todd Smith again shines in the background on a subtle electric piano (presumably a Fender Rhodes) that really accentuates the atmosphere as acoustic guitar notes takes the forefront with saxophone filling in the gaps occasionally. Label X labelmates Code Red appear on When The Morning Comes, one of four songs on the album that have appeared on previous locally-released Muckrakers efforts. The rapping rather than singing in the second stanza detracts from the song for many people, but it might appease a more Top 40 radio friendly crowd.

Frontman Rob Carpenter brings us "Slip Away," a beautiful, heartwarming tune in the latter half of the album. Written for his high school sweetheart -- and now wife -- this number is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter what your mood. Later, we hear another redone Muck classic, "Working My Way." This song is, in fact, the song that led to this album getting picked up by a record label. We immediately are treated to another remade song, "Happy Inn." A tribute to their roots, the Muckrakers first began playing gigs as a band at The Happy Inn restaurant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (A hidden track after this showcases a song by another labelmate, Digby, entitled "One Hundred Percent Free")

A few songs feel a little too familiar or a little too forced, but they're still very listenable efforts. Plus, considering this is the first time that these guys have had a chance to do something of this magnitude, a few mistakes are expected. Nevertheless, the Muckrakers are a breath of fresh air in today's music scene. They manage to bring together many elements to make one enjoyable experience. With excellent sound quality and top-notch production, things feel professional and tight, but very natural and dynamic. After hearing this album, it's no surprise that over 700 fans were present at the local CD release party in Louisville in July -- it was even officially declared Muckrakers day by the local government. Therefore, as one of the people at that incredible show, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this album. And keep an eye out for these guys in the future. I'm sure they're not done putting out great music yet! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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   4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 A DEFINATE MUST BUY!!!, September 15, 2005
By  Jaclyn Knight "Muck Fan" (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews