I will admit that I wasn't sure about this one the first couple of listens. It was good, but it didn't really grab me (notice a theme here or what?). What it needed was some attention - the world has enough paint by numbers simple pop artists out there who don't have anything to say - 77s are craftsmen, so it deserved a proper listen or thirty.

So I put it on the CD player in my room. The one that plays when I get up, and the one that plays while I read in bed. It's the one that plays when I fold laundry. Basically whatever is one upstairs gets played - a lot. This one stayed on upstairs for over a month.

Unlike my first exposure to the band with Direct, this is a rock and roll record, and the three boys are an amazing trio (new member Scott Reams who appeared on the radioactive singles disappeared as mysteriously as he appeared). This is not just Mike Roe restickered. I'm hard pressed to pick the standouts as they work together so well. Mr. Magoo is an obvious best track since it's the most commercially appealing (did I say that?) but the rest of the tracks are great.

They put a great deal of effort into all aspects of this one. The production is great, and the packaging (yes people still pay attention to the package - MP3s are okay, but I don't raid the internet - I want it all) is first notch.

It's a bloody shame that these guys have been relegated to the small market indie arena. I know that they had their shot at the brass ring in the 80's, but shoot, these guys are really good.

~ banophernalia.com



 

In a better world, the tasty blues licks and challenging theme of "Related" the first single off of the latest 77's platter, would be playing every two hours on your favorite radio station. A challenging treatise on the role of accountability in the lives of believers, this track is just too honest to be given much play on mainstream Christian airwaves, which, of course, pretty much describes the 77's 18 year relationship with Christian music industry at large. While AGFORC contains some of the most CCM friendly lyrics on any 77's disc, it certainly does so without compromising the blatant angst, conflict, challenge and resolve that have become a Mike Roe trademark. The music is a scintillating blend of the poppier elements of Pray Naked and the rougher blues textures of Tom-Tom Blues, and ends up sounding like the most accessible music of the Seven's long career. Encompassing everything from jazz to gritty, blues-rock to majestic, chiming pop, A Golden Field of Radioactive Crows delivers everything a devoted fan of Roe and company expects from a 77's record and should appeal to anyone who just needs a shot good ol' faith based Rock & Roll.

~ 7 Ball magazine