AmericanaUK

Woodstock air suits one young band

Forget the galaxy of stars the various members of Mechanical Bull have shared a stage with, this is an album that needs no justification or reflected glory.
With a band name like Mechanical Bull you could be forgiven for expecting an album of sawdust strewn, barroom honky tonk, step aside the line dancers are ready.

But this an album born out of Woodstock. Chase Pierson, Avalon Peacock, Adam Widoff, Dave Malachowski, Chris Zaloom, George Quinn, J-Bird Bowman, Josh Pierson and John Medeski followed the inspiration of The Band and holed themselves up in a house only to emerge with A Million Yesterdays fully formed.
Don’t run away with the idea that the members of Mechanical Bull are comparing themselves to such legends - although Malachowski has worked with Garth Hudson – and A Million Yesterdays is not Music From The Big Pink but it has to be said that the Woodstock air has worked its magic again.

Firstly this isn’t a country. Americana or particularly any other genre of album, it’s all of the above and the result makes the result none of them.
On Dreamy Days Avalon Peacock rips the heart out of the song and snaps your soul with its beauty. It alone would cement her place at the top table of torch song singers, male or female, a feeling heightened by the atmosphere she creates on Lukewarm Coffey which hangs in the air like storm clouds ready to burst. Then along comes Chase Pierson grabbing the country rock of Debts by the scruff of the neck, shaking and playing it in the same way a cat does a mouse.

A Million Yesterdays is about the realization of possibilities. A vocalist who growls his way through a song bolstered by a razor sharp riff isn’t new, here it sounds as if it might just be. Mechanical Bull bring a freshness and excitement to what should be very familiar.

When Mechanical Bull do go a little bit country, it’s the mean, dark, deep kind of country, the kind that comes with an inbuilt threat, although the exception that proves the rule is Biggest Nerd In The Class. However even this seemingly light piece of whimsy has a substance and flesh that sets it apart.

A Million Yesterdays is an undeniably powerful album, whether overtly as in the case of Left Turn In Jersey or more opaquely as with Goodbye Woodstock. The emotional contrasts within the album are given by voice by the stark difference between Pierson and Peacock - definitely not two Ps in an ipod .

What A Million Yesterdays shows beyond any doubt is that Mechanical Bull is not an ‘instant band’ just add water for catchy country. There is a real sense of root about the music, it comes from somewhere meaningful and it has heart as well as soul.

Any listener willing to make the effort will be well rewarded by a young band with energy and fresh perspective.

Date review added: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Reviewer: Michael Mee
Reviewers Rating:

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And More Again

There is not one good or authentic country & western song in the entire movie, but there's still Debra Winger riding the mechanical bull like it was meant to be rode and that's enough.
-- Don Graham, Giant Country



Mechanical Bull, A Million Yes-
terdays, Woodstock MusicWorks

The name conjures up images of Debra Winger in Urban Cowboy (you know, simulating sex on the barroom fixture
in question). I'm not sure that's such a good thing, although
your mileage may vary. Nonetheless, this Woodstock sextet
does put a citified spin on country, so it seems somehow fitting.

Yet describing Mechan-
ical Bull's second full-
length as country or alt-
country is rather reductive.

I'm reminded more of Fleetwood Mac in the way Chase Pierson and Avalon Peacock (the daughter of composer Annette Peacock) harmonize. They've got a Lindsay Buckingham/Christine McVie thing going on, except Pierson sounds more like Steve Earle than Buckingham.

A Million Yesterdays conjures up California's country-rock scene of the '70s combined with the Paisley Underground's more independent-minded approach—except for that West Coast part...and those mountains of cocaine. Nice touch: Medeski, Martin and Wood's John Medeski contributes Hammond B3 organ to the torchy "Luke Warm Coffee."


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Metro Spirit review

MECHANICAL BULL
"A Million Yesterdays"
Woodstock Music Works


AUGUSTA, GA - The band Mechanical Bull delivers an unusual blend of classic rock and roots rock with a hint of country.

Bull’s style is individual and also original. The main sounds that seem to stand out on this groups' CD are the unique vocals and guitar playing and distortion and tremelo. This gives Mechanical Bull it's own signature. In my opinion, “A Million Yesterdays” is a recommended listen to classic rock fans.

The song "Crazy Lady" has a rockin’ guitar beginning that sounds similar to Kenny Wayne Shepard and the Marshall Tucker Band. It's cool to hear some accompanying lead guitar throughout this song. This is one thing that has disappeared from much of the current music on the radio. This song could easily be a hit tune played on Top 40 Radio. Mechanical Bull is a band of accomplished musicians.

"Find a Home" has even more great lead guitar and signature rock vocals and harmony. Bands such as the Bull give listeners hope that rock ‘n’ roll is still alive, but just unorganized. This band strengthens my belief that we are on the verge of a rock-guitar-based band resurgence!

This group was a bit of a surprise, especially with the two tracks that were mentioned, because it’s a band that has found its own sound. If you're a fan of classic rock and roots rock and you like a touch of country music, try Mechanical Bulls’ new CD "A Million Yesterdays" available at woodstockmusicworks.com.

Cable and Tweed review

Mechanical Bull - A Million Yesterdays
Well, crap. I drove from Athens to Atlanta last night to see Beat the Devil, only to learn that their van broke down and they didn't make it. Wound up seeing Cloverfield instead, which was underwhelming. At least I got to listen through some more albums while on the road.



Avalon Peacock and Chase Pierson of Mechanical Bull

Woodstock, New York, country/folk sextet Mechanical Bull released their A Million Yesterdays [buy] in November. The band's blog documents numerous positive reviews from press in their home state and beyond, and I'll join those voices with a qualification.

A Million Yesterdays is generally impressive -- the songwriting and instrumentation are top-notch, and the band pulls in master organist John Medeski to guest on "Luke Warm Coffee." Dual vocalists contribute to the record, with band head honcho Chase Pierson taking the male lead and Avalon Peacock the female vocals. Peacock's voice is angelic, and I wouldn't mind it featured more; that's primarily because I'm not as enamored with Pierson's singing. When it's understated and hushed it's effective, but at times his raspy vocals are too much like Widespread Panic's John Bell for my tastes. Certainly a promising sophomore effort with some real gems.

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4 Stars (out of 4)

The Daily News review was four out of four stars, and it reads: “OK, I admit it. I’m a sucker for the boy-girl singing dynamic. Always have been. Add Mechanical Bull — with the fantastic one-two punch of Chase Pierson and Avalon Peacock sharing vocals — to the list of original, under-the-radar artists taking residence on my iPod....From Peacock’s soaring, almost angelic vocals on “Dreaming Days” and “Desert Air,” to Pierson’s growling drawl on “Debts” and the hilariously off-beat “Biggest Nerd In The Class,” there aren’t many missteps on this 12-track collection. Additional keepers include “Crazy Lady,” “Luke Warm Coffee,” “Left Turn in Jersey” and the disc-closing “DJ Dancer (Isa’s Song),” a tune about Pierson’s 7-year-old daughter. It’s worth giving this Mechanical Bull a ride.”


Jeffery Sisk McKeesport PA Daily News 01.10.08