The Boswells - Play Fair

It`s been 3 years since The Boswells` debut, "Planet Nine" graced these pages and with "Play Fair" it`s right to not only tout this bands` special blend of their influences but recognize them as one of the better unheralded bands in modern-day power pop. It`s time more people heard of The Boswells and "Play Fair" is the disc that may achieve this hope. Fans of The Connells, 80`s R.E.M., Grapes Of Wrath, Semisonic, BoDeans and Crash Into June will enjoy, nay *love*, all the right touches of acoustic/electric guitars layered on top of rich, earthy vocal melodies and jangly rhythms. The back porch charm is easily explained as the band is from Arkansas so it was an earthy feel wrapped around it`s relaxed band bonhomie.

There`s layers of sweet, mellow guitar lines, slippery riffs and a strong smatterings of sensual, arousing hooks. Sounds tasty? Well, it`s not the type of album that smacks you over the head and says "ENJOY!", but it`s one that`s polite, but direct and confident in disposition and "Play Fair" stitches such cool guitar patterns off of simple chords, razor-edged harmonies that it`s hard to not pay attention. Grade: "A".

"Weve been fortunate to have some great musicians singing cool backing vocals on some of the tunes". - Greg Holland

Roger Manning Jr. (Jellyfish/Imperial Drag/Moog Cookbook/cool new solo album), Roger sings on the track, Any Other.

Dean Dinning (Toad the Wet Sprocket, Lapdog), Dean sings on the tracks, Trampoline and the Big Star cover, The Ballad of El Goodo.

Hop Litzwire(Bobgoblin/Adventures Of Jet), Hop sings on the tracks, Empty Seat, IIn the Ground, and In Good Light

Andrea Zonn (Vince Gill, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Allison Krauss). Andrea is a well-known Nashville session player and recently toured with James Taylor. Andrea sings on the track, Valentine

Any Other - mp3

Empty Seat - mp3

Trampoline - mp3

Peter Buck - mp3