Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man

by Guadalcanal Diary

Overview

Like R.E.M., the B-52's, and Pylon, this fine Marietta-bred band came up in the Athens, Georgia scene. The long jangle pop shadow of R.E.M. is extremely strong on this release, with seven of the ten tracks showing either full or partial influence of that group. Fortunately, the songs here are excellent, exhibiting much variety within this style. "Trail of Tears," a haunting anti-war number, sounds the most like their Athens counterparts. "Fire from Heaven" is more up-tempo, intense, and dynamic, while "Sleepers Awake" is an ominous, slowly unfolding song. "Ghost on the Road" is primarily a fast country-punk number that saves its R.E.M. stylings for its yearning chorus. "Gilbert Takes the Wheel" and the title track are jangly instrumentals, the former being a fast rocker with a thudding beat, the latter being a lengthy slow-tempo selection exhibiting noticeable psychedelic traits. Other territory is touched on as well. "Pillow Talk" is a winsomely energetic Everly Brothers-influenced song. The brilliant "Watusi Rodeo" is a jumpy pop number sporting over-the-top surf guitar licks and inspired hilarious-yet-uncomfortable lyrics about "Ugly American" cowboys in Africa. There's also an eccentric cover of the missionary hymn "Kum Ba Yah," complete with appreciative background audience shouting, an energetic drum solo, and extreme contrasts of loud and soft dynamics (sometimes within the same verse line). This odd yet strong album is well worth hearing. ~ David Cleary

Product Details

Release Date:	01/05/2024
Label:	Rubellan Remasters
UPC:	0783970001719
Rank:	31872

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Guadalcanal Diary   Primary Artist
Jeff Walls   Guitar,Vocals,Autoharp,Lap Steel Guitar
Murray Attaway   Guitar,Vocals
Rhett Crowe   Bass
John Poe   Drums,Bongos

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Chuck Berry   Composer
Jeff Walls   Composer
Miriam Makeba   Composer
Murray Attaway   Composer
Rhett Crowe   Composer
John Poe   Composer
Coral Kordecki   Composer