Lost Dogs

Item: Green Room Serenade, Part One
Author: Andy Soell

Green Room Serenade, Part One

(1996)

Reviewed by Andy Soell

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Label Brainstorm ArtistsThe LighthouseJuly 1996

alternative country americana roots rock

When I heard that the Lost Dogs were working on a new album, I was genuinely excited. There are few groups about which I can say that I literally can't wait for them to come out with a new album, but this band is one of them. The rumors I had heard about the upcoming project ranged from it being a two-disc boxed set to it only being a couple of previously unreleased demos. The truth is closer to the first-however the second album will release this fall.

Green Room Serenade, Part 1 is the third project from the collaboration of Derri Daugherty of The Choir, Gene Eugene of Adam Again, Mike Roe of The 77's, and Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies fame. With this combination, fans have come to expect not only a variety of great singing voices, but also quality lyrical content from Taylor and amazing guitar work from Roe.

From the R.E.M.-sounding "Cry Baby" to the Elvis-esque "Close But No Cigar" to the remake of their own "Breathe Deep" off of their first disc, Scenic Routes, this effort covers a great range of musical styles. It is next to impossible to classify the Dogs as a certain style of music, but all the lyrics on the project are of the same quality as those of the individual bands, such as these from "Sweet Work Of Love:"

Who told you Jesus was a rich man That he stayed in the best hotels? Who sold you living water, then put poison in your wells? No, your wealth could never save you Can't fill a river that's run dry You can't bribe a camel to go through a needle's eye

This is followed by a sentimental, slow-paced cover of Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will" and a great praise song, "Reasonable Service." Another track on this album that stood out in my mind is "Waiting For You To Come Around," which is the story of the unconditional love between friends, even when they drift apart:

When times are tough and they make us cry We've lost some friends and we don't know why Some pass away, some grow apart And though I haven't seen you lately, You still own my heart

The only downside of the album is the remake of their own "Breathe Deep," which sounds pretty much like the Scenic Routes version. The only reason I can think they included it here would be due to the rarity of their first release.

There are very few discs I own on which I don't skip any songs, but this is definitely one of the exceptions, despite the diversity of styles. It has not been unusual for this disc to go in my CD player and not leave it for days.