Bob Schneider - Lonelyland

Sounds Like Texas

The best music in Texas,
heard 'round the world.

Bob Schneider - Lonelyland

Track Listing and mp3 samples

1. Metal and Steel
2. Big Blue Sea
3. Jingy
4. Bullets
5. The World Exploded Into Love
6. Round and Round
7. Moon Song
8. Madeline
9. Tokyo
10. Under My Skin
11. Blue Skies For Everyone
12. Better
13. 2002
14. Oklahoma

Buy from Amazon.com

Bob Schneider - Lonelyland

Lonelyland
Hear a CD Sample
Near CD-quality MP3 file
Click on the album name above,
or for information on how to
listen to the file, click here.

Check here to find out how to submit new release material for possible inclusion on Sounds Like Texas

Review

Bob Schneider - Lonelyland
(A Must Have)

Austin, TX has been an incubator for some of the best music to never be heard, for several generations. Every now and then, one of it's offspring break through the pop shell. There has been, in varying degrees of popularity, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Eric Johnson, Arc Angels, Charlie Sexton, and many who used Austin as a home away from home. The next breakout is Bob Schneider.

Bob Schneider's signing with Universal could be considered his coming out party, even though the record they just released, Lonelyland, has been a bestseller at Austin's Waterloo Records & Video for over a year. That's typically the way it works in Austin. Artist becomes a big local name. Artist wins many Austin Music Awards. Artist sells boxes of their self-released records at Waterloo. Labels start swarming. One label wins bidding war. Incubation period over.

Bob Schneider deserves all the prosperity he desires. His music is completely embraceable, charismatic, crafty, and radio friendly. Lonelyland is one of those classic records that after the first listen you're not sure what you just heard, but you know you've got to hear it again. The second listen you grab your favorite beverage, go to your favorite music room or car/truck, and give it your full attention. You may have done this with other classic "coming out parties", and you'll do it with Lonelyland.

“My favorite songwriters never wrote songs that sounded the same or had the same general feel", is Bob's comment about his song sequencing. This comment was completely unnecessary as the record changes gears more times than a driver in a grand prix. It's a good thing though. He goes from funky white guy rap, to warm classy melody without any explanation...and it works. The one time leader of some of Austin's better "unheard" bands uses this solo platform to take many chances not afforded a member of a band...and it works.

Cuts from Lonelyland have received heavy airplay on Austin's KGSR, since it's independent release. "Round and Round", "Metal and Steel" and "Big Blue Sea" are now hard core recurrents in Austin, but are sure to be #1 singles on Adult Alternative radio stations across the country. The songs on Lonelyland are not shallow, pop songs by any means. This songwriter spills his guts throughout. He knows how to craft a song, melding serious lyrics with serious music. When the result cuts like butter you've got a hit song. Or in this case, hit SONGS.

If you have an open ear, this is a must have record. Expect a roller coaster ride (holding onto the lap bar is optional), and expect to ride it over and over again. Lonelyland is a brilliant coming out for another one of Austin's nurtured souls. If you like your records predictable and easy listening, you should shy away. This coming out party is not for the faint of heart. Bob says he wrote many of these songs during his days with Joe Rockhead, Scabs, and Ugly Americans, but they didn't fit into those bands repetoires. It appears he was saving the best for his own private party.

Gary Moore

Back to New Releases

Home