Learning How to Live

Amazon.com
Find some alt-country falling too far on the rock side to satisfy your yearning for twang? You won't have that problem with Mike Ireland & Holler's debut album, which brings to mind Dwight Yoakam's Bakersfield revisionism, with occasional forays into terse string arrangements inspired by George Jones's '70s hits and even Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe." Ireland recognizes the eloquence of those records, and borrows some of it for himself. While most of this music is understated in its pain, Ireland occasionally gets as wild-eyed as the great Texas honky-tonker Gary Stewart, who'd be proud to put his name to the bitter "Don't Call This Love." Not that sentimentality doesn't get its due: hear "Christmas Past" and the cover of Johnnie Ray's 1951 hit "Cry." --Rickey Wright

Country Music
Vocally easygoing and natural, their mix of traditional and cuttting-edge individuality, with its fresh, sleek feel, sets him and the band apart and could attract mainstream fans without compromise. Sure, their flair for integrating new ideas into classic formats may be quirky, but it always succeeds.

Learning How to Live

Tracks:

House of Secrets
Worst of All
Headed for a Fall
Biggest Torch In Town
Don't Call This Love
Banks of the Ohio
Christmas Past
Graveyard Song
Cold, Cold Comfort
Some Things You Lose
Cry
Learning How To Live

Amazon.com

Find some alt-country falling too far on the rock side to satisfy your yearning for twang? You won't have that problem with Mike Ireland & Holler's debut album, which brings to mind Dwight Yoakam's Bakersfield revisionism, with occasional forays into terse string arrangements inspired by George Jones's '70s hits and even Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe." Ireland recognizes the eloquence of those records, and borrows some of it for himself. While most of this music is understated in its pain, Ireland occasionally gets as wild-eyed as the great Texas honky-tonker Gary Stewart, who'd be proud to put his name to the bitter "Don't Call This Love." Not that sentimentality doesn't get its due: hear "Christmas Past" and the cover of Johnnie Ray's 1951 hit "Cry." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Great Modern Countrypolitan.......2002-08-08

This is a great album. Mike is a great interpreter of classic country music. His voice is strong and smooth, and his lyrics are crafted with poetic imagination.

I agree that Mike deserves to be grouped with Yoakum and the Mavericks, as other reviewers have, in that he hews to what's best in the country tradition while maintaining his individuality. He differs stylistically, however, from Yoakum and the Mavericks. Mike follows the "countrypolitan" tradition of Charlie Rich and Billy Sherill. He does use strings more sparingly than traditional countrypolitan does, so the music never sounds overproduced.

This Dog Wont Hunt.......2002-04-20

What am I missing here? OK, Mike has a sweet enough voice, but to be valid, roots/alt country music has to have some edge to it. This CD is sandpaper smooth with nothing but slick rounded corners. And with a name like "Holler," the backup group is guilty of monumental misrepresentation. Comparing this guy with Dwight Yokum -- as does one of the Amazon editorial reviewers --would be just plain laughable if it weren't such a travesty. Dwight should sue for slander. The melodies here are mostly jingles and the lyrics mostly lame. I got this CD used and cheap -- and feel cheated nonetheless.

Dont call it alt-country-rock.......2001-09-07

I was more than a little disappointed when Mike's previous band The Starkweathers broke up, but due to his wife's infedelities with a bandmate I guess I understand. His agony and grief from dealing with that experience are laid out on this album. The result is a heartfelt sound that harkens the days of Jimmy Rogers and classic country sounds. Its a beauty.

This one will knock you out........2000-09-17

By all means, pick up this gem by Mike Ireland & Holler. It will get into your head, under your skin and stay there. If not for "World Cafe," a very fine alternative music program on public radio, I never would have heard of Mike Ireland. I'm very glad I did. This CD has as much emotion as the best 1960s country hits and any of today's retro work, Dwight included. It's that good. Really.

Ireland Shares A Haunting Lesson.......2000-04-20

I was amazed when I first listened to this CD, and I continue to be in awe everytime I play it. It's an all too rare case of simplicity equalling complexity. Ireland's straightforward style makes for an album that never sacrifices "listenability" for depth. I hesitate to call it country music because it's best described as GREAT music. Ireland will have you humming the tunes and feeling the heartache at the same time, a feat that few artists ever achieve. BRAVO!

Average customer rating:

Learning How to Live
Mike Ireland & Holler
Manufacturer: Sub Pop
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000024Y47
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

House Of Secrets
Worst Of All
Headed For A Fall
Biggest Torch In Town
Don't Call This Love
Banks Of The Ohio
Christmas Past
Graveyard Song
Cold, Cold Comfort
Some Things You Lose
Cry
Learning How To Live

Music Album:

Music Album