Review: Alabama 3 - ColdHarbour Lane (1997)

[DudeAsInCool]

Slum Goddess tipped me to these guys. You may have heard their theme track on The Sopranos. This band hasn't swept the USA yet, but it should. Here are some unsolicited rave reviews from Amazon:

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This London exponent of "sweet, pretty country-acid house music"--formerly Alabama 3, until someone remembered the similarly named country-pop group--makes its hybrid work on this debut album. In fact, Exile on Coldharbour Lane sounds like the record U2 wanted Pop to be. Fronted by one Reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love, A3 prove their seriousness about roots music with a mournful version of John Prine's "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" while sprinkling the rest of the disc with blues harp and acoustic guitars. Dr. Love's schtick is a bit silly, but his commitment to saying something about the utopian rave culture's potential for waste is obvious in songs like "You Don't Dance to Techno Anymore"--in which a DJ watches a girl overdose in front of his booth. --Rickey Wright --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Fughettabouit! A Great Techno Rock Album, July 26, 2002

Reviewer: Brian D. Rubendall (see more about me) from Oakton, VA

Those who like the theme song for The Sopranos but that are hesitant to purchase this CD thinking that the band is nothing but a one trick pony can put your fears to rest. "Exile on Coldharbor Lane" contains at least a half a dozen songs that are the equal to "Woke Up This Morning." The album is, in fact, the best techno rock album released in the 1990s by anyone not named Trent Reznor. Combining elements of rock, country, blues and yes, even gospel into their funky beats, these guys know how shake your booty while also challenging your frontal lobes. They also get the prize for managing to turn a John Prine song ("Speed and the Sound of Lonliness") into a house dancefloor number.

With lyrics ranging from fundamentalism to Marxism, all firmly tongue-in-cheek, the other great performances here include the truly funny "U Don't Dans 2 Techo Anymore," which sounds like Big Audio Dynamite meets Merle Haggard. Also terrific are the socialist rant "Bourgeoiusie Blues," "Ain't Goin' to Goa," and the closing hilarity of "Peace in the Valley." They are even adventureous enough to risk a number with a name like "Mao Tse Tung Said," and succeed! Only a couple of clunkers late in the proceedings keeps the album out of five star territory.

Overall, a hip, funny and engaging album that belies the notion that A3 are merely a one song wonder. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition

Who Are These Guys Anyway???, July 26, 2002

Reviewer: Phyllis B. Horowitz (see more about me) from Margaretville, ny USA

I, like many unsuspecting others I'm sure, purchased Exile on Coldharbour Lane because I couldn't get enough of Woke Up This Morning just hearing it weekly on the Sopranos. So, I bit, hoping that I'd discover a couple more equally dynamic tunes on the CD.

What I surprise I got when I discovered that practically every song in the collection is worthy of a Five Star Rating. In fact, it's the only CD I've wanted to listen to since I purchased it weeks ago. Does the description country/acid house/gospel/techno mean anything to you? Not until you listen to this CD, and then it means the world. Their music is driving, compelling, unique and brilliant.

So, where has A3 been all my life? I've looked on the Internet and can't find out a thing about who they are, where they are, etc. amazon.com doesn't even carry their CDs directly. Anyone have any answers? Drop me a line at [email protected]. You must hear this album.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00...6440765-7381706

[slum_goddess]

OMG, what a surprise (thank you very much, DudeAIC). alabama 3 was inadvertently instrumental to us ending up living/stuck in EU. no time now but i'll be back later to talk about my fave subject, the closest thing to a reason to believe that i can muster.

you've all been warned.

[slum_goddess]

in short, after hearing this album back in august 2000 (bought solely for 'Woke Up This Morning,' the themesong from the Sopranos), we googled for 'alabama 3' and got nothing. but we kept at it and in early november found out they were in the states, saw them in NYC (the night before the last presidential 'election') and then flew out to San Francisco and saw them again. we were totally knocked out by their music, their stage presence, their wit and by how friendly they are. in all the years i've been going to gigs, i've never seen any band w/the power to move so many different kinds of people, a huge cross-section of everyone apart from the narrow-minded.

Exile On Coldharbour Lane reviews by the Converted.

[slum_goddess]

This band hasn't swept the USA yet, but it should.

yes but they won't, if clear channel has anything to say about it (too political, too many light-hearted cursing and drugs references for mass consumption in the states). their gigs are like contagious spectacles--it's impossible to stand there unmoved. :P

here's the very reverend d wayne love B)