4 Way Street

Pretzel Park

2004-04-06

Boy, talk about guts.
Copping the name of CSN&Y's quintessential disc makes this quartet of singer/songwriters (Ben Arnold, Jim Boggia, Scott Bricklin and Joseph Parsons) an easy tartet for those who think that lofty mountains can't be climbed again. Fortunately for them, they get well into the foothills with well-crafted songs and sublime harmonies.

Unlike The Thorns who perfected the three way harmonies but forgot about writing songs that stick with, this accidental group (they hooked up at an open mic night) digs in a bit deeper lyrically and adds enough grit to the harmonies to keep them from sliding by unnoticed.

Echoes of the Jayhawks, Wilco, Tom Petty and, yese, even CSN&Y creep into the mix. With songs addressing everything from self-efficiency, to a timely anti-war protest to an eastern-inflected trip into Bombay, there is much to like here.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 10/2007

    THE NAYSAYERS
    Come Into Focus

  • reviewed 03/2009

    J.J. CALE
    ROLL ON

  • reviewed 08/2010

    THE STEREOFIDELICS
    You Are Having a Wonderful Time

  • reviewed 04/2014

    ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
    Now + 4EVA

  • reviewed 07/2006

    CUT CHEMIST
    The Audience's Listening

  • reviewed 01/2007

    GREAT BIG SEA
    Live: Courage & Courage & Patience & Grit

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.