CONTEST: Win tix to The Schomberg Fair's CD Release Show and a copy of their latest CD 'Gospel'

CD Review: The Schomberg Fair - Gospel

For many, the phrases "gospel" and "punk rock" should never be lumped together unless one is having a discussion about opposites. But one listen to the latest release by The Schomberg Fair, and you come to realize that there really isn't any other more fitting description than to classify these roots rockers as an unusual amalgam of dirty punk and speed gospel. Although this seems to be a new concept, if you do a little digging you'll see that it really isn't.

Artists like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and even Uncle Tupelo have always incorporated tales of good verses evil into the lyrics of their songs, but it seems that many modern artists that fall under the alt-country tag have strayed away from that subject matter for one reason or another. This is what is so uplifting about the sounds of The Schomberg Fair. They know that this classic battle is timeless and makes for great storytelling, as do the sounds that it inspires. Gospel sweats, it shakes, it quakes and more than anything else, it rocks!

Although they incorporate several traditional numbers throughout the album, it is the band originals that really impress. After a brief introduction, the album gets started with Angel's Wings which is an authentic sounding bluegrass number with the banjo taking center stage, although the number races along at a frantic pace that is highly infectious. That song is just one example of the rampant energy that invades the entire album. Songs like Tall Grass, Pretty Bird and Heaven's Rain are destined to be cow-punk classics with their pounding drums and distorted bass lines, not to mention the deep barritone backing vocals of Nathan Sidon. When they take it down a notch, like on Strange Kind Of Grace, for example, the effect is not any less potent as it allows the listener to take a breather and focus on Matt Bahen's deeply personal and poetic lyrics, showcasing the fact that, although he is an impressive vocalist, his major talent is to be found in his songwriting abilities. My favourite song on the album is Drunkard's Prayer, a song that is laced in such impressive authenticity, that I could've sworn that it was another traditional number that the band had simply put their own unique spin on. Surprisingly this is not the case, as this song is actually another band original, although if it gets the publicity that it deserves, then mark my words, we will be singing it around the campfire to our grandchildren forty years from now.

That is actually, a perfect way to sum up this album, in the sense that is boasts an energy that is new and uncharted, while still showing enormous respect and homage to what has come before. The Schomberg Fair have really come a long way, and it'll be interesting to see where the journey takes them next.

Myspace: The Schomberg Fair
Download: Drunkard's Prayer mp3


CONTEST: The Schomberg Fair are having their Gospel CD Release Party at the El Mocambo on Saturday October 24th. If you've ever seen them live then you know that their show is one of the best parties in town. The cost is $8 and they've got a couple of top notch supports in The Speaking Tongues and The Unsettlers. Thanks to The Musebox, I've got the following to give away to one happy winner:

1) Two tickets to the October 24th show at El Mocambo
2) A copy of Gospel on CD

To enter, just send an email to quadb2001 [at] gmail [dot] com with "I wanna sing the Gospel of The Schomberg Fair" in the subject line, and your full name in the body.

Contest is now closed. Congrats to Morgan D. and thanks to all who entered.