Good Boy Charm

Maybe you agree with the opinion that music recordings often lack a certain something – something that you enjoy when you hear a band perform live, but that just doesn’t translate onto the CD. It could be the band’s charisma, maybe their energy, maybe their ability to bring a smile to your face when they start playing your favorite song. After all, you have the track list, and once you’ve listened to a CD a couple of times you pretty much know what to expect – you have the lyrics down, and can easily attempt to sing along with the melody. You still love these recordings to be sure, but you will jump at the chance to see the group perform live because you know that in that setting, all those things that get left behind when the transition to CD is made are suddenly back in place. Enter Tripp’s debut full-length album, “Good Boy Charm.” Even if you are able to catch these guys perform live, you truly would be remiss to pass up the chance to own this CD. Unlike many other bands’ recordings, “Good Boy Charm” manages to effectively capture Tripp’s stage presence and personality so that whether you’re listening for the first or fiftieth time, you’ll find yourself smiling (despite the often true-to-life “relationship-gone-bad” lyrics), energized, and discovering new levels of complexity and melodic nuances in every track. You’ll try to sing along with Alex Wilkins’ vocals, but might find it hard to keep up with his ridiculously impressive range. . . and you’ll probably wonder if all of his lyrics are based on personal experience for they so effectively portray situations and capture emotions to which most of us can relate. You’ll be able to envision Hugh Swaso’s blurred fingers and hands as he sweeps over his guitar, swinging his dreadlocks as he spins all over the stage. You’ll tap your feet to Paul Fischer’s driving drum lines, especially on “Everything in One.” And as you listen to the CD, you’ll appreciate the depth and complexity Alex Van Gils’ bass playing provides to each song as he gives an essential balance to the soaring guitar sounds of Wilkins and Swaso. “Good Boy Charm” gives its listeners a taste of the diverse musical capacity of Tripp with some tracks that sound a little bit country, some that are softer and melodic, and still others that provide a strong edge that will undoubtedly lead to speeding tickets if you’re listening in your car. With a strong stage presence and a sound that translates so effectively into their first full-length recording, you will soon be joining the masses of collegians and others from North Carolina who are confident that this group is only a minute away from the mainstream.

i think my title explains it all. 'nuff said. wow, one of my first reviews in a long time which actually sound fanboyish....

This album is EPIC!!! All the songs rock, and the flow of the entire CD itself really compliments the artists and the music itself. Well done

someone sent me this cd and i was blown away. It really has some first class musicians playing on it and it rocks. Lets hope it get heard by the right people and this band gets out to the stream. wendy

I love this album more than life itself. I've been following Alex Wilkins' career for over seven years now and he just keeps getting better and better. This album is his tour de force! An epic journey through all of life's emotions, twists, turns, and pitfalls. Each song is like November Rain and Purple Rain combined into a single mega-track. But Alex isn't the only one on this album who has sharpened his musical chops. Enter Paul Fisher, a drumming ninja beating his snare and bass drum like he is avenging his father's death on a cloudy Friday night in the back of Martini Bar. Paul literally drums new life into some of Alex's old classics, giving them a masculine edge that would be envied by any indie rock outfit. Hugh Swaso and Alexander Van Giles round out the quartet and provide stunning dynamics to Wilkins' soungwriting. Besides being included in Maxim Magazine's Top Ten Coolest People Of All Time for the past three years, Hugh Swaso adds additional hooks to Wilkins' already catchy songs. He also adds at least three scoops of style (eat your heart out raisin brand) with every solo that he busts out. Finally, Van Giles shows musical maturity far beyond his age. Together he and Paul create a stone cold groove riot of sound that makes we want to put on my blue pants and DANCE!!!! Really, I can't say enough good things about this band....but itunes has a word limit. In conclusion, let me tell you this.....when you hear this CD....you will know...."IT'S WILKINS MOTHERF_$&RS!!!!!!"