| June 2007 |
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RVA Magazine Album Reviews Mason Dixon Disaster "Two Doubles" Not that it ever went away but there's been a noticeable resurgence of Southern music here in the Capital of the South. Leading the way, Mason Dixon Disaster's honky-tonk rock delivers a beer bottle to the head of today's pop-country. Returning to Red Planet Studios to record their full-length debut, Two Doubles builds on the success of their sold-out 5-song EP. Mason Dixon Disaster keep the twangy melodies simple and straightforward, not unlike the many bands in a typical alt-country namecheck. They effortlessly tear through Southern rock ballads ("Best Intentions"), pining Americana ("Dixon Creek"), outlaw country anthems ("Endless July"), and rollicking rockabilly barn-burners (" Thirteen Steps"), letting their punk roots shine throughout. What sets MDD further apart from the pack, both creatively and musically, are the dual female/male Erin Bryant and Fred Pinckard. Respectively rich and raspy, their smokey, soulful voices will have you envisioning a fantastic collaboration between June Carter Cash and Social Distortion's Mike Ness. Two Doubles, the Southern music of Mason Dixon Disaster will no doubt stir your mind, your heart, and your drink. - Mike Rutz |
| July 2006 |
| Mason Dixon Disaster is the result of a collaboration between two friends evolving into a full-time band, but sounds like if Tom Waits fronted an alt-country band. Its a great recipe for success, and in fact not disaster as they would have us believe.
- Nanci Raygun |
| June 2006 |
| march 2006 |
... I'd heard they were southern rock, and this wasn't far from the truth. There was a decent amount of country mixed into their sound as well, but the foundation was rock n' roll. There are plenty of bands playing this style right now, but I haven't really head of any in the Richmond underground scene, so I was a little worried that Mason Dixon Disaster would attempt to get by on novelty, but it was obvious once they'd played a few songs that they were not just trying to do something different but do it well. With the rare exceptions, the playing was not flashy; the musicians in the band kept what they played simple and made sure it served the song. The songwriting, though, showed creativity and inspiration from the various other genres the members of Mason Dixon Disaster have played over the years; at times, they could even be said to have breakdowns, but there more hardcore influenced touches were integrated smoothly into their overall alt-country sound, which reminded me of the Drive-By Truckers and Whiskeytown. - No Signal Magazine |