Silos Susan Across The Ocean CD

Only Walter Salas-Humara and Mary Rowell remain from the band's original lineup, but a wonderful new batch of introspective originals by Salas-Humara and rocking covers of favorites by Lucinda Williams, Jonathan Richman, and pal Michael Hall make this album the proper follow-up to 1987's Cuba. With the frustrations of major label letdowns behind them, the band sounds rejuvenated. Maybe a bit jaded, too. Good for them and their fans. ~ Brian Beatty

SUSAN ACROSS THE OCEAN is possibly the most cohesive Silos album. It was recorded start to finish in 18 days by a band who had road-tested the material for months and essentially made a great studio recording of their "live" show. It is The Silos of 1993 in all their glory. Mary Rowell had returned on violin. Manuel Verzosa had added his effervescent personality, gorgeous voice and dogged work ethic to leader Walter Salas-Humara's thoughtful songwriting and world weary voice. The album burns with the hard won integrity of experienced musicians lurching forward through a blinding epiphany of new found optimism."Let's Take Some Drugs And Drive Around" is a classic tale of desperate kids trying to escape small town boredom set to a soaring rock-soul beat. "Shaking All Over The Place" is an enigma surrounded by a swirly moody groove. "Sounds Next Door" tells the tale of a plot to subvert a neighboring government gone hopelessly wrong. There are rockers, greasy back beats, and great covers including Jonathan Richman's "I'm Straight," but the title track is this disk's masterpiece. Performed simply by voice and guitar, it is a man questioning the worth of his long life. Though he is happily married and has seen his three wonderful children grow up, he still can't help wondering about Susan.

Recorded at Doug Messenger Studio, North Hollywood, California and The Control Center, Los Angeles, California.

Producers include: Walter Salas-Humara, Dave McNair.

The Silos: Walter Salas-Humara (vocals, guitar, percussion); Manuel Verzosa (guitar, harmonica, background vocals); Mary Rowell (violin, background vocals); Scott Garber (bass); Daren Hess (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Additional personnel: Tom Freund (guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Dave McNair (guitar); Jon Dee Graham (lap steel); Joe Simon (organ); Greg Asfar (bass); John McKnight (bass, background vocals); Caitlin Von Schmidt (background vocals).

Rolling Stone (11/3/94, p.101) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...anyone interested in heartfelt, well-made music would find the time spent listening to [SUSAN ACROSS THE OCEAN] fully rewarding..."
Alternative Press (9/94, p.83) - "...One of the better `tears and beer' bands of the Southwest, the Silos make some great strides in understanding human nature in their new album..."