Critic's Review
Richard Foss, All Music Guide
The highly textured rock of the Coffee Sergeants' full-length release has a curiously beguiling character. Bandleader and guitarist Carey Bowman obviously listened to lots of Eric Clapton when he was younger, and the guitar on many songs is reminiscent of Derek & the Dominoes. It is high praise to say that the rest of the band is equal to the task of supporting Bowman's ambitious compositions, and that Bowman himself is an effective and listenable vocalist. Mike Barnett's keyboards merit special praise, particularly his strikingly effective piano on "Streets of Heaven," in which he plays wonderful ornamentation all around the main theme without ever repeating himself. The moods on the album range from folksy to jazzy and psychedelic, all while maintaining a distinct character and stylistic stamp. The Coffee Sergeants deserved major promotion and a mainstream audience, as they set a very high standard for literate, beautifully arranged rock. This CD is well worth seeking out.
