The Mudhens - "CRICKETS"
Various reviews
Boston Soundcheck
issue 23
Debbie Catalano
Introduction to The Mudhens 101 - From track 1 you will be eased right on into a fresh musical experience best described as rhythmic, warm, textured pop, layered with world rock music beats and nuances, and strong hints of folk and country. Stay with this course of musical action and you will only find your attraction growing for the truly original band called The Mudhens.
I was more than happy and surprisingly refreshed by the music of The Mudhens. Their jangly, catchy sounds caught my ears on the first track, 'High Tide In Tucson', but as their CD Crickets (their third) progressed, I found my attraction getting pulled more and more strongly towards their music. By just about the halfway point, track 6's 'The Wheel', I was hooked.
The Mudhens, by this point, proved that you can have all the benefits of a comfortable, earthy, rhythmically warm country/folk rock band, while being an ultra cool, hooksy pop group with creative world music flavors all at once.
The Mudhens have been establishing themselves and their sound the last few years without, evidently, giving in to any trends whatsoever. They groove, they bounce, they sashay, they rock, they pop, all with catchy, thoughtful lyrics and talented performers. O.K. time for credits that I feel must be given: excellent work on the parts of all the members - Carla Ryder, vocals; Mike Smith, guitar; Tom Groleau, drums/vocals; Pete Chandler, bass; and Dave Ford, euphonium, accordion, trumpet, and keyboards. Compliments to a production staff that includes individuals I already know are amazing - producer Anthony J. Resta and engineer Chris Lannon, with mixing by Bob St. John and Dan Tarlow, who engineered as well.
With tracks that consistently and intriguingly changed song to song, there's not enough room to adequately describe the different musical vibes of each, but I will single out my faves: 'The Wheel' (modern, hip, different), 'Burn All The Clothes' (atmospheric, cool, textured), 'Ponce DeLeon' (features beautiful guitar playing), 'Laredo' (surfa-billy, Latin flavored rock), and the tasty treat at the end of the CD, the hidden track 'I Hate My Life' (the title of which I only know from reading their press materials!).
I wish The Mudhens the best; they are truly talented, and I would love to see originality and good music like this recognized.
© Boston Soundcheck
Instant Magazine
April/May 1998
Probably one of the most critically under-appreciated bands in Boston. There have been several bands over the last few years who have had huge followings locally but the critics hate them and in most cases it was deserved. However, there is much more to the Mudhens than most of the bland pop and funk bands I just alluded to. The Mudhens have amazingly strong musicianship well written songs, and a solid presentation. They have worked to get to where they are-the local popularity certainly has not happened overnight. This new CD sees the Mudhens get a bit more experimental with their sound. The standard rock format is there, but the players seem to have opened up a bit, they seem to really be having fun. No band can consistently put out the same record over and over again-changing styles and sounds is the key to success and it seems like the Mudhens took a chance and succeeded-in a big way. This will be the record to put them over the top.
© 1998/Instant Magazine
North Shore Magazine
Thursday, April 23, 1998
Kelly Shaw
Its easy to see why Boston's underground quintet The Mudhens were selected to perform at last summer's .O.R.D.E. tour. They're fun and good. Quite good. Formed during the grunge heyday of 1993, they are more about pop and rhythms than flannel and heavy guitars.
'Crickets' is the band's third CD, a playful blend of original songs, except for Blondie's 'Sunday Girl', where Carla Ryder bends her voice into a Blondie sound-a-like. But usually, Ryder's full, rich voice follows in the footsteps of Natalie Merchant. Among the gems are 'High Tide in Tucson'. 'The Wheel' features a creative mechanical trick that sounds like she's singing on a muffled AM radio station. Spanish influences abound on the song appropriately called 'Ponce DeLeon' for the music style.
© 1998/North Shore Magazine
Campus Calendar
May 1998
Tim McCarney
Damn good sounds, The Mudhens deliver the goods -and then some- on their latest disc (excerpts from) 'Crickets', the new CD from local faves The Mudhens, opens with 'High Tide in Tucson', an effervescent pop gem anchored by an infectious chorus and mesmerizing vocals...
There's a lot more to The Mudhens - made up of Ryder, Pete Chandler, Tom Groleau, Mike Smith, and Dave Ford-than a few cool riffs and a catchy chorus. 'Crickets' is, in fact, packed with a wide and diverse range of influences-everything from straight-away pop ('Hide Me') to guitar-driven rock ('The Wheel') to a few countryish jangles ('Guys Night Out', 'Laredo') to lush, dreamy folk ('Ponce DeLeon')...
"Everybody in the band has different musical tastes, which contributes to the diversity of our sound," says Ryder, on the phone from her home in Brighton. "Mike is an amazing classical guitarist with a flair for Latin music. Dave is a trained symphony musician, and I'm a folk junkie. There are a lot of different styles converging here." And it works brilliantly. Throughout 'Crickets', the band is in top form, drawing from its members' individual musical prowess and delivering a unique, potent sound. Completing the package are Ryder's gorgeous vocals-distinct and positively mesmerizing...
Judging from their increasing, loyal fan-base and the tight, eclectic sheen of 'Crickets' (the bands third CD), the Mudhens appear to be on the verge of something big...
© 1998/Campus Calendar
Cheeseball Magazine
Volume 1, Issue 13
This combination of folk an roots rock combo is just a heartbeat away from a major signing. This new collection finds the bands formula of songs propelled by strong vocal and lyrical lead of Carla Ryder. One decent singer does not a good band make and this band has the support goods to make what would be just amusing little ditties into full fledged album material. 'High Tide in Tucson' has just the right amount of production to invite radio play without compromising the dynamics of the song. Where the first record leaned a little on the lounge side, this record seems to rely more on a country twang as on 'Guy's Night Out'. 'Sunday Girl' takes a stab at a girl group 60s sound that is sweet and melodious. The most challenging, and in turn, rewarding track is 'Burn All the Clothes' that slips between 'The Story' and a more edgy Suzanne Vega. A slick and rewarding release by a band still refining their identity, keep your tabs of these guys and gal.
© Cheeseball Magazine
© 2000 Funky Vibe Productions / bopnique musique