Welcome, Guest

Staff Picks

See All

The Skygreen Leopards

Disciples of California

Email This

Review

Rated

by Merlin on 12/13/2006

It’s hard to pass judgment when a band so convincingly imitates a musical icon. Most bands of the Elephant 6 Collective did it, and did it well. The usual target is the Beatles. But, over the last ten years it’s been a handful of bands from the late 60’s and early 70’s. Do you love it ‘cause it reminds you of some of your favorite music? Or do you dismiss it for its obvious lack of vision? Most likely it’s somewhere in between.

On their latest, the Skygreen Leopards take to the skies previously inhabited by “America’s answer to the Beatles,” the Byrds. Whether singing about the laid back lifestyle of Southern California, drugs, or Jesus, the Skygreen Leopards pull off homage to the songwriting skills of McGuinn, Clark, Hillman, Crosby, and Parsons with pleasant attention to detail. From the twelve-string lead of title track “Disciples of California” to the country swing of “I Remember Sally Orchid,” this album serves as a welcome reminder to the genius of the Byrds. But I’m not sure what it says about the Skygreen Leopards.

Disciples of California does show a progression by the Skygreen Leopards in a much more melodic direction than previous albums. And it’s not a complete aping of the Byrds sound. Whether by choice or not, it’s much looser and more sedating than anything the Byrds ever did. I’m sure I’ll enjoy this album for a few months, but I’m afraid it will wind up dust covered on the shelf and I’ll end up going to the “B” section of my record collection when I’m in the mood for the jingle jangle of chiming twelve-strings.

Add Comment

Comments

Downloads

My Mixtape Disciples of California [MP3]

Album Details

Year: 2006
Label: Jagjaguwar/ Cosmos
Producer: skygreen leopards
Musicians: donovan quinn, glenn donaldson, jasmyn wong, shayde sartin

Tracklist

1	Disciples of California
2	Places West of Shawnapee
3	Sally Orchid
4	Egyptian Circus
5	Marching Band
6	William & the Sacred Hammer
7	Golden Pilgrim
8	Jesus Was Californian
9	I Remember Sally Orchid
10	Silvery Branches
11	Hollow Tree

Buy It

The Skygreen Leopards Disciples of California New from: $9.34 Used from: $4.70

Buy from Amazon.com