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Reviews of The Coyote Problem’s album “California”
The simple presentation and honest sentiment of
California is The Coyote Problem at its best – just three men delivering
songs that do what great songs do – make you feel the joys and pains of
being alive. Singer-songwriter Peter Bolland is, quite simply, in the
class of artists like Jackson Browne, Steve Earle and John Hiatt who built
Americana before it had a name.
-- Ed Burns
The San Diego Troubadour
The Coyote Problem obviously knows how to craft a
good song. Each tune takes you on a fulfilling journey…
-- Nina Garin
The San Diego Union-Tribune
California is a likable, radio-friendly country-rock
hybrid…lovely melodies and truly memorable hooks. What’s most remarkable
about this album though is how fully integrated the band’s sound is. Yes,
Bolland’s slightly raspy vocals are a major component of the band’s sound,
but so is the casual, loping rhythm of drummer Danny Cress and the tightly
woven interplay between Billy Fritz’s bass and Bolland’s guitar, as are
the vocal harmonies of Bolland and Fritz. The band itself has a
personality apart from that of its three members. “Into the Mystery” is a
good example of that personality. The song opens with a Mexican-tinged
guitar opener before Bolland's attractive tenor singing voice takes the
lead atop a gently rocking guitar-bass-drums backbeat. "She's Alone Again"
is another gem: plush-pile vocal harmonies, gorgeous melodic theme, as is
"I Still Believe."
-- Jim Trageser
North County Times
Reviews of The Coyote
Problem's album "Wire":
• Album of the Month on
www.ebong.org
The Bakersfield gods smile when the Coyote Problem plies their wickedly
enjoyable brand of beefy Americana. Lead singer, guitarist & chief
songwriter Peter Bolland leads the crunchy, red dirt power trio. Their bio
says they trust "the mysterious center of things is best revealed by
uncluttered music, direct lyrics and child-like honesty." As manifestos
go, this one has my full support. This set is as warm & dangerous as an
old flame that blows in on a whim. A few cold ones and who knows where
things might lead. Opener "Any Port In A Storm" updates "Take It Easy"
drawing water from both of that song's authors, Glen Frey & Jackson
Browne. It's one of many tunes on Wire that makes one wonder why Bolland
isn't already an industry darling. Might be that he rocks a bit too
raunchily especially with a chooglin' CCR like rhythm section like the one
here. There's a bit of the classic '70s outlaw country vibe, a touch of
Butch Hancock & Rodney Crowell's unvarnished poetry, Johnny Irion's open
road sensibilities, a heaping spoonful of vintage boogie a la Savoy Brown
& Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and a smidgen of all-over-the-place variety
that does Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show proud. Oh sure, the rest of the
Golden State's honor roll (Byrds, Gram Parsons, Neil Young, etc.) rear
their sun bleached heads but the Coyote Problem isn't retro. With little
effort you can imagine these songs brightening up modern radio. If Trisha
Yearwood sang "I'll Let Go" it'd already be platinum. And I'm waiting for
Bolland to team up with Willie Nelson on a duet version of the hyper
infectious one-hitter "It's Always 4:20 Somewhere." They can do it on the
Country Music Awards as soon as the Bible Belt gets that hickory stick out
of their ass. The divorced-with-dignity "My Way" recalls the Drive-By
Truckers, and "Pull Me Through" dusts off western swing in a winning way.
There's almost too much to like here. Mainstream country and rock stations
could use this kind of rejuvenation. The same flavors still taste mighty
fine if someone seasons & stirs them with this level of skill & care. For
now, folks around San Diego get to enjoy this Problem but it'd be a damn
shame if they didn't reach more ears.
By Dennis Cook
http://www.ebong.org/060212_hurdygurdy.html
• A masters course in roots rock
style…heartfelt songwriting expertise…a perfect soundtrack for a long
lonely ride out to the desert.
Ed Burns
The San Diego Troubadour
• Three stars…a fine roots rock debut…easy to enjoy.
Tony Horkins
Uncut
• This trio’s second album covers broad ground stylistically, but does it
well. Showcasing front man Peter Bolland’s excellent songwriting that
spans country to riff-rock to soaring pop, the album is deep in potential
singles, particularly the Hammond-drenched “Any Port in a Storm” with the
dreamy ballad “We Got High” a close second. Other highpoints include the
sweet pedal steel weeper “You’re So Damn Pretty” and the storming “Fit To
Be Tied”, a rocker ZZ Top wish they wrote. Best of the fifteen songs here
may be the swamp groove of “Goin’ To Vegas” with its piercing and frenzied
closing guitar work. But if you’re a fan of Americana and its relations,
there’s no shortage of close contenders.
Scoop Stevens
San Diego City Beat
• Wire grabs the real California…full of eccentric characters and sage
blowing over the mountains and dry desert air and trailers with a bondo-ed
Toyota in the sienna-red lava rock driveway. The Coyote Problem makes each
song intelligent, but without tipping its hand. Peter Bolland’s lyric
sensibility, crafty guitar work and “right there” vocals blend well with
the melodic bass lines and liquid harmonies delivered by Marcia Claire.
Drummer Danny Cress comes from the “steady does it school” that’s at the
core of every great rock band in the world. The Coyote Problem makes music
that is so essentially American you’ll wonder why it isn’t being played on
the radio.
Keith Miller
www.sandiego.com
aka Madison, Morning Host
KPRI 102.1 FM
Reviews of Peter Bolland's
solo pre-TCP album Frame:
Four stars…a collection of beautifully crafted alt-country tunes…
Tony Horkins
Uncut
Wise man…young sound…timeless passion, raw emotion and pure drama.
Cindy Baser
SDAM.com
No fancy, specialty-store ingredients were used to create this 12-cut
feast. Still, it’s meat-and-potatoes fare prepared by a master chef. Peter
Bolland has The Gift.
John D’Agostino, Taylor Guitars
Wood & Steel
Grade A…Peter Bolland brings something different to the rock scene –
interesting lyrics.
Bill Fark
North County Times
The lap steel resonates, the harmonica is pure Dylan/Neil and the voice is
singular and soulful. A fantastic record. I am an instant fan.
Kenny Weissberg
Music Without Boundaries
KPRI 102.1 FM
If mainstream country fans had more taste than the bumps on their tongues
then Peter Bolland would already have hits galore. His work is polished
but maintains a barroom rock kick. That is when he isn’t quietly breaking
your heart.
Dennis Cook
www.jambase.com
Along with his debut album, singer-songwriter Peter Bolland offers a word
of advice for listening to his music: “It sounds good loud.” Not only does
it sound good loud, it sounds good period.
Mary Montgomery
The Reader
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