LIVINGROOM LEGENDS

Music:

Member Since: 11/28/2006
Band Website: livingroomlegends.com
Band Members: MINDY STEPHENS (vocals, bass guitar, keyboard, cool little percussion toys);KEN STEPHENS (Mindy's husband, songwriting, vocals, guitar, harmonica, lots of stuff when recording)JOHN BENNETT (vocals, 6 and 12-string guitars) (John's also plays guitars and sings in the Vellotones, another local rock band);BPOPS (aka Steve Allen) (drums, percussion)
Influences: Mom and Dad's old country records. This kid I knew in elementary school named Victor Cox who could play a little guitar, and let me make copies of his parent's Elvis records by putting my cassette player up to the speaker. (SSHhh! We're recording!) We're influenced all the time by music we like, by our kids, and what life throws at us.
Sounds Like: What follows is an independent review by a guy we do not know, nor have ever met. We sent a CD off to a site for review, and this fellow reviewed it. We are glad he loved our music, but we didn't pay him to say this. But we must admit, he's one smart and insightful person. *** "Lovin' Left," the first track on this husband and wife duo (Mindy and Ken Stephens) from Grovetown, GA's debut album is a catchy, soft rocker in the finest tradition of The Byrds or Soul Asylum. And if there's a dry eye in the house after hearing the gut-wrenching "Whitney LaRue," then you don't have a heart OR a soul. Fantastic stuff, despite possibly qualifying for the misinterpreted lyrics hall of fame: for the longest time, I thought they were singing, "Rent Me A Room." But before you start wallowing in self pity, put those handkerchiefs away and set those toes a-tappin' to the hard-driving rocker, "Colorado Wind," with a subtle guitar solo that'll have you Roger McGuinn freaks bowing in tribute. If the label had Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers name on it, this'd be a million-selling, number one hit single.The soaring harmonies and swaying melody of "Fool" should be the benchmark for husband-wife duets for years to come. Hell, it should be required listening before ANY couple start recording. "How Could You?" is vintage New Riders of the Purple Sage dreamily crossed with Sweethearts of the Rodeo-era Byrds, and the Honeymoon just keeps getting better with each passing track. Special attention should be afforded "Another Number," one of my favorite songs of the year and, perhaps, the best song that (Lindsey) Buckingham (Stevie) Nicks never recorded.Suffice it to say that if you're into gorgeous harmonies, stoney, good-time country-rockin' vibes and jingle-jangle mornings, you'll want to join me in anointing Honeymoon as one of the Top 5 albums of the year. Add this to that Desert Island Disc collection that includes the first New Riders of the Purple Sage album, Soul Asylum's Grave Dancers Union, The Traveling Wilburys Volume 1, Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, 5 Chinese Brothers' Singer, Songwriter, Beggerman, Thief, Blue Rodeo's Five Days In May, and your favorite Byrds, Wilco, and Jayhawks albums. It's not only that good, in some cases, it's better.Jeff Penczak - www.FakeJazz.com
Record Label: Possum Gobbles Dumplins Records
Type of Label: Indie