Personnel includes: Bob Schneider (vocals, guitar, tambourine); Stephen Bruton (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb, Christian Fernandez (guitar); Carlos Sosa (saxophone); Fernando Castillo (trumpet); Rolo (trombone); David Boyle (keyboards); Bruce Hughes (bass, background vocals); Yoggie Musgrove (bass); Mike Longoria (drums); Carl Thiel (percssion, loops); Jose Galeano (percussion); Gary Franklin (loops); Lisa Tingle, Helga Bullock (background vocals).
Recorded at Carl Thiel Studios, Austin, Texas.
Personnel includes: Bob Schneider (vocals, guitar, tambourine); Stephen Bruton (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb, Christian Fernandez (guitar); Carlos Sosa (saxophone); Fernando Castillo (trumpet); Rolo (trombone); David Boyle (keyboards); Bruce Hughes (bass, background vocals); Yoggie Musgrove (bass); Mike Longoria (drums); Carl Thiel (percussion, loops); Jose Galeano (percussion); Gary Franklin (loops); Lisa Tingle, Helga Bullock (background vocals).
Recorded at Carl Thiel Studios, Austin, Texas.
Lonelyland is an entertaining, occasionally impressive effort that bodes well for singer/songwriter Bob Schneider's future. The LP kicks off with "Metal and Steel," an acoustic number that is vaguely reminiscent of Paul Simon at his most Dylan-esque. Before the album is done, however, musical styles will twist and turn along the way, reminding one at times of everyone from Lenny Kravitz ("Jingy") to Bill Withers ("Bullets") to Elvis Costello-meets-Hootie & the Blowfish ("Better"). Schneider's lyrics speak of broken relationships, angst, and drug abuse, though there are hints of humor and happiness that shine through from time to time. Some of his imagery is awkward -- "Jingy" is about a metaphorical monkey on one's back, but the monkey sounds more like it's of the circus variety. Schneider needs to tame the occasional tendency to be too cute for his own good, both with his words and stylistically eclectic music. Apart from that flaw, the album is a pleasant, listenable set of adult alternative music. ~ Mary Grady
Entertainment Weekly (4/13/01, p.76) - "...Schneider has emerged as a genuine song-writing talent....playing roots rock with a twist or two..." - Rating: B+