Dependability is an overlooked concept in music when we're all looking for the newest bright, shiny object. Even The Blues is the fifth disc from The Kickbacks, and it's another high-quality offering that might be their best yet. Despite hailing from Boston, Tad Overbaugh & Co. have the mid western rock sound down, kind of a golden mean between Paul Westerberg and Tom Petty. It's not always easy to be rocking and tuneful, but The Kickbacks most certainly are. The one-two punch of "Figure You Out" and "Going Out to Get Home" tell you all need to know about the band, but they do throw in some twists. "Motel Stars" (the title of their previous disc) has some Stones-y swagger to it, "Getaway Car" is a gentle ballad in the vein of "Skyway", and "Isolation Blue" has a jangle to it. Kick back with the Kickbacks, you won't regret it." - Absolute Power pop (November, 2008)
"Yeah! The Kickbacks have delivered! Like their last album, fans who dig the sounds of `87-/90-era Replacements, early 90`s Lemonheads, and The Gin Blossoms, you will definitely *not* want to miss out on checking out The Kickbacks on “Even The Blues”. I would add there are some Tommy Keene ghosts floating around inside many of these songs, as well. All the songs here splendifically drift from gentle roots-pop jangle and open chorded sounds to sweeping, accessible and good-natured melodies always evoking the Westerberg influence in a fresh way. What
is not to enjoy here for fans of this style of pop? Nothing!. Yes, indeed – EXTREMELY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" - Not Lame Recordings (November, 2008)
"The Kickbacks offer the kind of lax, carefree, twinkly-yet-hefty guitar pop that made "college rock" seem like such a spot-on reduction for a few fond years. It doesn't hurt that singer Tad Overbaugh adds a heaping tablespoon of Matthew Sweetener to each track on their latest offering, Even the Blues." - The Boston Phoenix (November, 2008)
Biography: Never far from his
notebook and hand-held recorder, Kickbacks' songwriter, Tad Overbaugh is not
one to miss out on capturing a good lyric or melody when it comes. "I don't
count on getting good ideas, so when I get one, I want to remember it", says
Overbaugh laughing. "The inside of my car has been good to me. Most of my
songs have been written sitting in parking lots or while driving. I don't
recommend driving and writing though".
The Kickbacks debuted in 1998 with the release of Longitude, and soon after, the
Blue Man's Collar EP (2000). The band received favorable reviews from critics
for Blindside View (2002) and Motel Stars (2006) for, as one reviewer put it,
"songs that ring with depth, authenticity, and plenty of hook-infused power."
The new album, Even The Blues (2008), was produced by
guitarist/multi-instrumentalist and "partner-in-crime" as Overbaugh puts it,
Steve Scott. The new record again features the Motel Stars (2006) lineup of Matt
Arnold on bass and Perry James on drums.
"Even The Blues is about the concept of trying to enjoy the good moments as they
pass, amidst the struggles that are always there. Sometimes facing things head
on takes you there. Other times it seems some form of escapism is needed, at
least temporarily, to keep going, recharge and get back to a good place." says
Overbaugh.
Description: "Magnificently crafted pop/rock songs come to life under the sterling musicianship of The Kickbacks." - Metronome Magazine "The Kickbacks' songs ring with depth, authenticity, and plenty of hook-infused power." - Pop Culture Press
Dependability is an overlooked concept in music when we're all looking for the newest bright, shiny object. Even The Blues is the fifth disc from The Kickbacks, and it's another high-quality offering that might be their best yet. Despite hailing from Boston, Tad Overbaugh & Co. have the mid western rock sound down, kind of a golden mean between Paul Westerberg and Tom Petty. It's not always easy to be rocking and tuneful, but The Kickbacks most certainly are. The one-two punch of "Figure You Out" and "Going Out to Get Home" tell you all need to know about the band, but they do throw in some twists. "Motel Stars" (the title of their previous disc) has some Stones-y swagger to it, "Getaway Car" is a gentle ballad in the vein of "Skyway", and "Isolation Blue" has a jangle to it. Kick back with the Kickbacks, you won't regret it." - Absolute Power pop (November, 2008)
