Name: (the) Schramms
Album: Walk to Delphi
Year:1989
Style: Folk-Country
Similar Bands: Yo La Tengo, Jayhawks, Wilco, Neil Young, Uncle Tupelo
One Word Review: Twangy Rodeo Rock
Based Out Of: New York City
Label: OKra, Rough Trade
Walking To Delphi - Cover & Record
Walking to Delphi - Back, Liner Sheet
Walking to Delphi (1989)
- Walk to Delphi 3:47
- Out of the Earth 3:16
- Living in Confusion 4:59
- Letdown Later 4:30
- It's Not What She Wants 4:22 /
- Big Stink 3:30
- Everytime 3:58
- The Way Some People Die 4:03
- Number Nineteen 3:50
- Gusano Verde 3:25
- Of All the Souls 2:53
Album Rating (1-10): 5.5
Members & Other Bands:
Dave Schramm - Vox, Guitar, Harmonica (Yo La Tengo, Kate Jacobs, Chris Stamey)
Terry Karydes - Keys, Vox, Drums (Yo La Tengo)
Ron Metz - Drums (The Human Switchboard, Yo La Tengo)
Al Greller - Bass (Peter Stampfel & Bottlecaps, Yo La Tengo)
Mike Lewis - Bass (Yo La Tengo, Lyres, DMZ, )
Tom Quinn- Mandolin (Jack Lord;s Hair, Mud Pie, Mud Pie Sun, Rocknoceros, The Real Gone)
Pete Linzell - Sax (Andy G & The Roller Kinds, Los Primos, Devil Dogs)
Todd Novak - Guitar (Cowlicks, The Cycle Paths, The Dragsters, Kevin Salem)
Peter Moser - Cover Art
Gary Arnold - Producer
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I really like the cover art and backing photo artwork. Makes me think it will have an earthy, folksy feel, but still have a worldy, and interesting intelligence about it. I'm expecting a Los Lobos meets Half Japanese feel.
Album Review: So the Schramms,
originally a placeholder name when they found out their previous name was already
in use, have a lot of ties to Yo La Tengo’s very early years. Founding and
namesake member Dave Schramm left Yo La Tengo after their first album and many
other band mates were involved with the early years as well. Their US
distribution was through Rough Trade, which coincidentally folded just as they
were beginning their first album push.
“Walk to Delphi”
is a county rocking song with exaggerated, drawn our vocal syllables. It never
really deviated from its pace or tempo, only building a little to go into the
chorus. The instrumental at the end relies heavily on country style, mixed with
rock, to make the definitive alt-country style.
“Out of the Earth”
continues with the twangy vocals, and a slower story-song style, with slide
guitar, quiet backing vocals, and harmonica instrumental section.
“Living in
Confusion” is light, and features wood block percussion. The long vocal notes
rise and fall, offering a defined country style. The instrumental at the end
features slide guitar heavily.
“Letdown Later”
is all acoustic guitar in the beginning. Then it launches into a jangley
stomper with a defined verse-chorus structure. The instrumental features a
shrill keyboard section that honky’s up the tonk (this sounded like a good
description in my head).
“It's Not What
She Wants” is a slower ballad, relying on organ-like notes held. It picks up in
energy after a minute goes by, and continues the upward momentum with an almost
rocking out chorus. Once it finds the hook and momentum, it rides it out for
the rest of the song.
“Big Stink”
starts side two as a theatrical western instrumental, with an upbeat tempo and
plenty of slide guitar and organ in the latter part of the song.
“Everytime”
shuffles along with a quick drum beat, sort of like the tempo of a train. Jangly
guitar and drawn out vocals make up the rest of the songs motivation. The
momentum is held though out the whole song, until the train makes it to the
destination, and the instruments are peeled back
“The Way Some
People Die” is a harmonica heavy, jangly singer-songwriter tune. The chorus melody
is catchy, reminding me a little of the Violent Femmes (and the Bluebells), as
it builds. It’s probably the most approachable and accessible song on the
album.
“Number Nineteen”
is a slowly building song with a swaying, sing song melody, and dual
harmonicas. It kinda makes me imagine what John Linnell (of They Might Be Giants)
would sound like singing country. The instrumental section slows down to a
near-stall, before guitar kicks it back into gear. This song is more folky than
country.
“Gusano Verde” starts
as a double dose blast of chaotic, echoing rums and guitar. Then a slower, heel
dragging section that also comes off as very cinematic, rolls along, kicking up
dust in a small western town’s dirt road and blowing it into mini tornados. The
instrumental continues along, with peaks and valleys of emotional and somewhat
progressive musical sections until it just gives out.
“Of All the Souls”
wraps up the album with acoustic guitar, and sloppy lyrical presentation that
hits at drunkenness. It is very folky in execution, and a church organ kicks in
about the 2 minute mark to finish out the song and album.
Stand Out Track:
The Way Some People Die
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