Born Under
| Born Under | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Genre | Country rock[1] | |||
| Label | Rykodisc[2] | |||
| Producer | Martin Zellar, Steve McKinstry | |||
| Martin Zellar chronology | ||||
| ||||
Born Under is the debut album by the American musician Martin Zellar, released in 1995.[3][4] Its first two singles were "Lie to Me" and "Problem Solved".[5] The album was rereleased, with bonus tracks, in 2004.[6]
Production
[edit]Recorded in Northfield, Minnesota, the album was produced by Zellar and Steve McKinstry.[7][8][9] Soul Asylum's Dan Murphy played guitar on "Lie to Me".[10] Many of the songs were inspired by Zellar's wife and son.[11] The album cover photo was shot in Grand Forks, North Dakota.[12]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [9] |
| The Republican |  [14] |
| The State | [1] |
Trouser Press stated that "Zellar has a grit-strewn voice with a mannered catch better suited to the harsh honesty of his lyrics than the placid curves of his melodies."[10] The Chicago Reader wrote that the album's "not the sort of recording that's going to perk up your next party, but it is exactly what a lot of people say there isn't much of these days: adult, smart, perceptive, and emotionally genuine rock music."[15] The Milwaukee Journal determined that "Zellar's nasal, angular voice is a ragged standout here against all manner of plaintive backing, from lonesome guitar pings and mournful cello drones to swoopy organ fills."[16]
Stereo Review deemed Born Under "as moving a piece of confessional pop as you're likely to see these days, a tuneful, lovely-on-the-surface song cycle of reflective country-rock musings that only barely conceal some rather world-class emotional turmoil beneath."[17] The Santa Fe New Mexican noted that on some songs Zellar "sings in the voice of a drunken lout, albeit a drunken lout with a conscience that is only slightly weaker than the demons who hold him down."[18] The Los Angeles Times declared that Zellar "writes blue-collar tales about hard times and hard lessons that are reminiscent of the eloquence of the Blasters in their prime."[19]
AllMusic panned Zellar's vocals, but also wrote that "twangy roadhouse rock alternates with unabashed honky-tonk balladry, and real-life working class concerns dominate the lyrics."[13]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lie to Me" | |
| 2. | "Something's Gotta Happen" | |
| 3. | "East Side Boys" | |
| 4. | "Falling Sky" | |
| 5. | "Problem Solved" | |
| 6. | "Cross My Heart" | |
| 7. | "Lay This Down Gently" | |
| 8. | "Summer Kind of Sad" | |
| 9. | "Force a Smile" | |
| 10. | "Let Go" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Miller, Michael (March 17, 1995). "Back-to-Basics Fever Is Contagious". The State. p. D12.
- ^ Stewart, Alison (Mar 1995). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 19. p. 44.
- ^ Rassenfoss, Joe (January 20, 1995). "Martin Zellar's Country-Rock Mix Is a Perfect Blend". Rocky Mountain News. p. 22D.
- ^ Bream, Jon (November 25, 1994). "Martin Zellar's debut solo album...". Star Tribune. p. 4E.
- ^ Anderson, Kurt R. (January 26, 1995). "Zellar Glows on His Own". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 15.
- ^ "Martin Zellar Born Under". Exclaim!.
- ^ Bream, Jon (22 Jan 1995). "Shifting Gears". Star Tribune. p. 1F.
- ^ "Album reviews — Born Under by Martin Zellar". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 6. Feb 11, 1995. p. 62.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1267.
- ^ a b "Martin Zellar". Trouser Press. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Walsh, Jim (January 24, 1995). "Growing Up in Public". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 8B.
- ^ Green, Carissa (January 27, 1995). "Solo Career Hits High Gear". Grand Forks Herald. p. C6.
- ^ a b "Born Under". AllMusic.
- ^ O'Hare, Kevin (January 22, 1995). "Martin Zellar, 'Born Under'". The Republican. p. D8.
- ^ Wyman, Bill (February 16, 1995). "Martin Zellar". Chicago Reader.
- ^ Maples, Tina (9 Feb 1995). "Country-rockers bask in glow of new fans". The Milwaukee Journal. p. D7.
- ^ Simels, Steve (Apr 1995). "The confessions of Martin Zellar — Born Under by Martin Zellar". Stereo Review. Vol. 60, no. 4. p. 79.
- ^ Terrell, Steve (27 Jan 1995). "Terrell's Tune-Up". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 16.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert (26 Feb 1995). "Martin Zellar, 'Born Under'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 66.