Drunk On Crutches
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"A real gem of an album..." - Beat Surrender
"People Places. Things. will be high up on my list for Best of 2010 when that time comes." - Hør nå... Hør nå!
"The words and sounds will reach out to anyone..." - alt ohio
..."It sounds a lot like early Lone Justice, which is high praise. California rock, with a little country flavoring."
-Kent Newsome - GoodSongs
Have you ever decided to listen to new CD, not knowing what to expect? Sure you have. And when the first song starts, you are not only surprised, but ready to hear what’s next? Well, that’s what happened to me when I began listening to Drunk On Crutches’ new release ‘People. Places. Things.’
Even after I was thrown on my ear by the strong guitar intro, I wasn’t ready for the soulful rasp of Georgia native turned Los Angeles songstress Jennifer Whittenburg. The opening track, ‘Tupelo’ sent my mind reeling back to the first time I laid ears on Sheryl Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club in 1993. Soon after I was knee deep in the next 11 songs, never once thinking about skipping ahead in fear I would miss something. ‘Using Me Up’ slid right into an excellent mix of gritty guitars, a sharp harmonica, blended harmonies and a heart pounding backbeat. Jennifer then came out of nowhere with a guitar and keys driven number entitled ‘One Night Stand.’ From the very first line, “Living with this disposition, it’s hard to keep myself in line,” I found myself feeling she had tapped into my thoughts, or I had been living someone else’s songs.
When I finally thought that there was no way Drunk On Crutches’ songwriting and Jennifer’s sultry voice could possibly be showcased any better, I was awestruck by ‘Oh Well’. A powerful ballad that not only proved me wrong but also was reminiscent of a personal conversation that she is having, with you, her listener and new friend. By the time I was tapping my foot to ‘Apt. 16’, there was no doubt I was all in, and had become a fan.
From ‘California, You’ll Have To Wait’, which made me want to roll down the windows and hit the highway, to a cover of Neil Young’s ‘L.A’, People. Places. Things. left me wanting nothing more than to start the CD over. All the way down to the closing track ‘We Like It’ (and we did), this release couldn’t get any better. There is even a hint of the infamous Whiskeytown , as one of the many special guests is percussionist Curt Bisquera.
So, while reading this and planning your next musical purchase, I would put Drunk On Crutches at the forefront of my list, because who really doesn’t like People. Places.,or Things. - Americana Roots
Discography
LP - People. Places. Things.
(2010)
Photos
Bio
Under The Influence With Drunk On Crutches' Debut Album
Los Angeles, CA: Jan. 2010 Let's face it, we don't need another record with some fragile singer hiding behind their scenester rules and lo-fi ethics. This is why Drunk On Crutches exists. Lead singer and songwriter Jennifer Whittenburg stepped into the legendary Hollywood recording studio, Grandmaster Recorders, Ltd. (Stevie Wonder to Tool, they've all been there) with producer/engineer Andrew Alekel (Foo Fighters, No Doubt) to record People. Places. Things. Joined by a close circle of friends that include drummer Kurt Bisquera (Whiskeytown, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt), keyboardist Rami Jaffe (Foo Fighters, Wallflowers), singer/songwriters Sally Jaye and Brian Wright, members of Matt Costa's band and more, Drunk On Crutches debut release is a celebration of rock and roll Americana.
Jennifer Whittenburg explains, "The songs came along while I was bouncing around between L.A., Atlanta and Nashville. I knew the songs were personal, but at the same time, I didn't want anything to sound too fancy or precious. I wanted to make a record that anyone can relate to, because those are the records I like to listen to." Determined not to be confined with the modern singer/songwriter formula, Whittenburg and Alekel approached the record with the intention of keeping a band feel, letting the players play to their strengths and let the songs speak in the best possible way. "If you look at bands like Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, clearly someone is in charge and writing the songs, but what the other guys bring to the table is undeniable," says Alekel.
Also included on People. Places Things. is a recording of a song written by one of Drunk On Crutches heroes, Neil Young. The song L.A. first appeared on the long out of print live LP, Time Fades Away. "We all love that song and it just fit the feel of the other songs so well. Kurt learned the song on the spot and we tracked it really fast and I feel we did it justice," says Whittenburg.
With the release of People. Places. Things., Drunk On Crutches will now be bringing the music to the masses. While playing shows around Los Angeles, including the famed Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, now they will be playing these songs to people around the country.
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