TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Skeleton Crew" - Madisen Ward And The Mama Bear (2015)

"Skeleton Crew" - Madisen Ward And The Mama Bear (2015)

     “All I need is a sip of cherry cola and pie.”  Madisen Ward is a "know thyself" singer-songwriter who, together with Mama Bear, mixes up a fresh and timeless square of acoustic alt-folk rock that mesh beautifully.  Madisen's lyrics are original, honest, and on the sleeve—simple but never throwaway.  And much like Tom Waits or Geddy Lee, Madisen Ward also has a unique left-field vocal style that one will either embrace or defer.  As for me, I found the vocal tones and harmonies so warm and comfortable that I easily forgot about it and just sat back and enjoyed the music.

     I didn't expect "Skeleton Crew" to rent so much space on my turntable, but the duo's debut is a good one.  I have nothing that sounds like this. The album is dusted with atmosphere—haunting one minute, uplifting the next.  This may be a Kansas City son-and-mother act, but this is not a one-trick pony.  They are legit.  And "Skeleton Crew" is a solid square that will age well long after the freshly baked pie.

"Skeleton Crew" - Madisen Ward And The Mama Bear
(back)

"Skeleton Crew" - Madisen Ward And The Mama Bear
(custom sleeve front & back)

Favorites include:
"Live By The Water"
"Down In Mississippi"
"Silent Movies"
"Dead Daffodils"
"Sorrow And Woes" 

     "Skeleton Crew" has a textured cover and comes on orange vinyl held in a custom picture sleeve.  I found a brand new copy with a half-off price tag.   Having already heard "Live By The Water," I knew I was getting a great deal.  The vinyl pressing didn't disappoint, either.  Sounds fantastic.  

Glassnote label

Cat #
GLS-0173-01
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
GLS 017301-A  WG/NLP  Ⓤ 
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
GLS 017301-B  WG/NLP  Ⓤ

"Silent Movies" - Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear / "Skeleton Crew" (2015)

TRACKS:
A1  "Live By The Water" 5:24
A2  "Silent Movies" 3:19
A3  "Modern Day Mystery" 4:40
A4  "Dead Daffodils" 5:04
A5  "Whole Lotta Problems" 3:26
A6  "Fight On" 7:41
B1  "Yellow Taxi" 4:15
B2  "Daisy Jane" 3:32
B3  "Been In A Ditch" 0:51
B4  "Undertaker And Juniper" 4:11
B5  "Down In Mississippi" 7:05
B6  "Sorrows And Woes" 3:28

PERSONNEL:
Madisen Ward - vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass
Mama Bear - vocals, acoustic guitar
Jon Estes - bass
John Radford - drums, percussion
Micah Hulscher - harmonium, electric piano
Matt Parks - pedal steel guitar
Jim Abbiss - piano, organ, percussion
Zach Casebolt - viola, violin
Larissa Maestro - Cello

Good stuff.

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