That warm `n` fuzzy feeling for Frog Holler around here has just been officially upgraded to hot `n` fiery with the arrival of Haywire. Darren Schlappich leads this Pennsylvanian group with an amiable tone and lyrical smarts that`ll both wend their way into your head and heart. With your complete approval of course. The band manages to sound both natural and clever through this melody-wise collection of twangy alt. country-pop, roots-rock and folksy acoustic tunes. Twisting on minor with a smoldering sonic edge, Haywire was produced by Brian McTear (The Bigger Lovers, matt pond PA, The Trouble With Sweeney). Along with engineer and co-producer Amy Morrissey (Marissa Nadler), McTear captures the band from one sublime moment to the next; one notable (of many) is the punchy roots-rock gem "Sight Unseen" with its irresistible mantra at the end, "If I told you sight unseen the future`s bright would you believe me?" The answer is undoubtedly yes!! Through four LPs and an EP, the band has proved to be infallible, and Haywire has, despite its title, is in perfectly good working order. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (ZoBird)
