Understate Men Jukebox

Reviews

Renegade King

Ruud Heijjer, Heaven #3, 2009, www.heaven.be

Back in 2002 and 2003 the Dutch Understate Men delivered two cd's that were inspired by Neil Young's early solo albums. Fortunately, like Young, they couldn't decide between acoustic country & folk ballads and emotive guitar rock. Their lyrics were full of social criticism with love never far away. Now, they have unexpectedly released an EP with four new inspired songs. Unfortunately only four. On this release the twosome sound more acoustic than ever. They express their criticism on Diet Coke & Silicone and muse about all the time they have wasted. They pay tribute to Captain Beefheart and to their America, where they travel the Blue Highways up to that mountain in South Dakota where the Ziolkowski's continue to carve out the immense face of Chief Crazy Horse. The Understate Men dream on, but only for fifteen minutes, alas.

Propaganda

Ruud Heijjer, Heaven #1, www.heaven.be, January 2004

[countryrock] On their second self-released CD Dif and jd decker combine mostly socially critical lyrics with acoustic ballads influenced by country and folk or with guitar rock Neil Young style, just like on their debut. Best example of this latter sort is Freedom (!), including a dry popping bass and cutting guitar riff. Expanded with drummer Deadpan Dirk and Pyedog Pete on dobro, mandoline and harmonica they play songs characteristic for these genres, although the double harmony vocals often stem from country rock. Less puristic than on their debut they use an accordeon next to a fretless or double bass too, which leads to ballads with influences from sailors‘ songs. As a result, apart from the rockers there are also perfect pop songs on this CD, such as Underneath and Mourning in June, a stately minuet. Dif more often writes explicit lyrics about the propaganda on Irak, the environment and senseless violence than about love, although he also sings convincingly about that a few times. They can be found on their web site, which is completely in English, undoubtedly because their heroes live on the other side of the ocean. Maybe it is also the case because they find, despite their band name, that the whole world should hear their music.This committed, rootsy and stylish Americana from our own soil indeed deserves to be embraced.

Marcel Haerken, OOR nr.1 January 10, 2004

In their own words, Dif and jd decker played Americana long before it was a common genre name. Given the facts that Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ooutlaws were there heroes 20 years ago and that they both play in a Neil Young tribute band, this is a plausible statement. Although Neil's influence is still there, the dinosaur's sound is less obvious on Propaganda as it is on their nameless first CD. There are some lesser songs on the album but there are enough tracks to enjoy. Backed up by Pyedog Pete (bluesharp, dobro, banjo) and Deadpan Dirk (drums, percussion) this band with the modest name plays both solid rock and folky songs. Bi-vocal singing, all kinds of tasteful string instruments and melancholic accordion are the main characteristics. The Understate Men play adventurous alt.country that reminds of the approach of Lazy Sunday Dream. And to avoid misunderstanding: this last comparison is a compliment.

The Understate Men

Bart Ebisch, Alt Country NL, April 2002

It's funny to hear these seventies influences in the music of the Dutch countryrock/folkrock band The Understate Men. The spirit of Neil young wanders through the opening track of their CD. The fierce guitar work on the second track "Who the Hell is Dow Jones", reminds of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Wishbone Ash. Next, in a muffled setting, this "Rhine Valley" band goes folk which is repeated later on in "Mermaiding" and the epic closing track "Old Pine Drive". Neil Young, during Harvest and After the Gold Rush times, shows up again in the way singer/guitarist Dif sings "Room full of Angels". Recorded somewhere in a shed, the CD has it's good, but also it's weak moments. After an encouraging start - good melodies, tasty guitars - the closing songs are not catchy enough. There is definitly a future for The Understate Men providing they stick to that solid folk influenced countryrock feel and keep away from the rest.

Ruud Heijjer, Heaven #4, www.heaven.be, June 2002

These two Dutchmen share their web-site with Neil Young cover act The Kicking Mule in which they both play. The shack in the forest that served as a studio reminds of the barn where Neil recorded Harvest. Only more modest as is Dif and J.D.Decker‘s music, without the symphony orchestra and the trance inducing guitar solos. Two up-tempo tracks open the album. The lyrics are exemplary of Dif‘s themes (heartbreak and social concern), but the melancholy of the ever inpredictable Young is lacking here. Six of the following nine songs are directly influenced by Neil, either by his country side or by his characteristic slow looming rock. The highlights of the CD, like Row and Mermaiding, are in this much pursued genre. Dif‘s impressionistic lyrics on love are both original and obvious. Peculiar is the sea metaphor as the album was recorded far into the countryside. He also writes more direct and social minded songs. In Who the Hell is Dow Jones he derides the feigned lack of money for humanitarian aid and refugees. In Perfect Scheme he wonders what went wrong with punk. And in Scarecrows he sings of money-thirsty record companies. No wonder the CD was self released but it deserves National distribution at the least.