Reviews

You would think, judging by the luckless, 100-proof subjects on this album, that Scotland Barr has seen the underside of the bar and the soul-crushing side of relationships far too often to have retained a sense of humor, let alone to have enough unpickled brain cells to recall more than a blurry kaleidoscope of disjointed disasters. Yet All the Great Aviators Agree, this Portland, Oregon, sextet's second disc, is chock-full of near-cinematic, often hilarious details served up with self-deprecating charm via Barr's rugged, Tom Russell-esque rasp.

There are countless memorable couplets citing wife-stealing, flat-chested women and naked waltzes, plus wry descriptions, from the Vatican (“It's a lot like they all say – it's big”) to some of the most loveable, laughable losers in recent memory.

Barr's stories, tunes, and vocals would be more than enough to sustain a crackerjack solo act, but it's all backed up by a fluid, fluent combo boasting ace chops and well-placed harmony vocals. The Slow Drags' sound – highlighted by Chris Hubbard's rippling-water piano flights and the deft guitar interplay between Zach Hinkelman's electric and Bryan Daste's pedal steel – seems weighted toward country-rock, but the overall flexibility and collective catholic tastes recall the heyday of British pub rock.

-Jim Musser, No Depression

Music that punches the heart like a fist with brass knuckles . Barr and the boys should feel proud of producing something some great bands never pull off: an attractive, wholly listenable album that hits all the right chords with powerful, painful and beautiful accuracy.

-Joshua Sommers, the Oregonian

What struck me right away about Scotland was his voice. It's one of those smoky, scratchy and very distinctive voices that really demands you pay attention. Of course the songwriting and fine work by the Slow Drags make sure you pay attention to more than the vocals!

-Don Zelazny, americanaroots.com

Overflowing with raw, rough and tumble reality that made me feel the pain and truth with lyrical grit and presentation in a class of its own, which is saying a lot considering all the quality music that I receive.

-Eddie Russell , Outlaw for Peace radio , TX

Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags make roots rock with an uncompromisingly independent spirit. With a sandpaper voice that's far from pretty enough for country radio, Barr's not writing for a top 40 demographic; he's spilling his guts, dropping the bile on the table.

-Michael Sutton, CDreviews.com

The first five tracks on this CD are so strong that it makes one wonder why the group has not been picked up yet. Roots rock rarely achieves the lyrical and musical heights that Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags reach here.

-Kyrby Raynes, Ink 19

Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags is not your typical rock band; for one thing, their lead singer's vocal cords sound as if they were marinated in a gravy of whiskey and chewing tobacco... Barr and the Slow Drags offer impressions of dark nights, lonely places and flashes of love affairs gone awry. Taking in their music is like dragging on a Clint Eastwood hand rolled cigarette at the bar of a dangerous saloon .

-Nathalie Weinstein, Daily Barometer, Corvallis

Sounding world-weary and out of luck, Barr catches the downcast, drunken mood of a burned-out cowboy, linked to folk in its spirit but more to the lonesome country of Hank Williams, Sr. in its delivery.

-Alternative Rock Review

Scotland Barr takes us down the road of broken dreams - burying those lost dreams in the bottom of an empty glass. "So you just line 'em up in those paper Dixie cups" on the excellent Saving Grace...Scotland should visit AA.

-Americana UK

Scotland Barr reminds us that the art of good songwriting and lyric crafting are not dead. This is poetry with all the rough edges of life left on. LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE is an astounding accomplishment and is destined to put Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags on the Americana map.

-Rob Stroup, Producer, The Imprints

These songs have got the universal truths covered in all ways, on all planes , in all galaxies, in every language known and otherwise. These songs are fantastic. The recording is fabulous too, but I am more caught up in the "call the radio station and find out who did that song" emotional response right now.

-Allison Picard, Lucky Duck Productions

Eclectic, sincere music of this type is the reward we spend our time looking for. The whole enchilada here folks!

-Chris K, Happi Skratch Entertainment