Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers-ville

I'm going to come right out and say it and consequences be damned. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers remind me of an updated version of a cross between Neil Diamond and Jimmy Buffet. There, I said it. Strike this blog from your list of blogs to visit while killing time at work if you will.

Now that I've got that out in the open, I'll continue in my confessional manner. Growing up, my favorite musician was Neil Diamond. That's right. Going through my father's record collection, I would often choose Diamond's albums to look at and play. I don't know if it was his name or his music, but he was the first musician that I can remember liking.

So what does all this have to do with the matter at hand? Good question. Simple answer: Roger Clyne's voice instantly sparked memories of listening to Neil. Where does the Jimmy Buffet part come in? Close your eyes while listening and the general feel of the music will put you on a beach somewhere in Baja California holding a mixed drink with an umbrella sticking out of it . It's that simple.

If Roger's name sounds familiar to you, it might be from his involvement with The Refreshments (and their composing the theme song for King of the Hill). When the band split up, Roger and P.H. Naffah went on to form the Peacemakers. Since then they've put out five albums, with the fifth, No More Beautiful World, released this last March. It's got a definite earthy southwestern feel to it which prominantly runs throughout the album which means you either like it, or you don't. The whole affair has got an air of fiesta time in a mexican cantina, regardless of the seriousness of the lyrics (try Wake Up Call below to see what I mean).

If you like what you hear below, for those of you who still believe in having the CD in your grimy little hands, you'll get a second disc with 80+ minutes of bonus video content if you buy it. Regardless, give the following a try:


Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Maybe We Should Fall In Love : No More Beautiful World

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Wake Up Call : No More Beautiful World

Visit their website and become their friend on MySpace.

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Neil Diamond - Thank The Lord For The Night Time [Live] : Glory Road 1968 To 1972 [Disc 2]

Jimmy Buffet - Margaritaville : Songs You Know By Heart

The Refreshments - King of the Hill theme song : King of the Hill