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The Austin Chronicle
March 17, 2006
Long in the Sun
By Jim Caligruri
Since the breakup of Loose Diamonds in the
late-Nineties, Troy Campbell's been the type of songwriter
that will only release his songs when they're ready. Long
in the Sun is the Austinite's third solo album, and it's
filled with tunes that have obviously been carefully
distilled. It also reveals a new side to the local
journeyman. Campbell flexes some creative muscle with a
version of Woody Guthrie's "Along in the Sun & the Rain"
that raises a shimmering haze, while the straight-ahead
"Town to Town" is his hardest rocker since the Diamonds
days. When he allows his sweet, clear voice a rough edge on
the dusky "Killing Time in Texas" and twisted blues of "Ball
and Chain," the effect is startling. Both are augmented by
producer Gurf Morlix, who uses some of the exact same grit
he applies to his work with Ray Wylie Hubbard. Campbell's
sunny side shines through on songs like country-rockin' set
opener "Famous" and the infectious "Birdsong." Although his
career has had its share of detours over the years, Long
in the Sun proves Campbell remains among the elite of
Austin songwriters.
The Austin Chronicle
July 26, 2002
American Breakdown
By Jim Caligruri
With American Breakdown, his second solo album, former Loose Diamond
Troy Campbell has finally made the album he's always seemed capable of
but could never quite pull off. A great deal of credit for the
success of this CD goes to the fine touch provided by producer Gurf
Morlix. On a majority of American Breakdown's songs, Morlix is the
sole credited musician except for drums, and he plays with his trademark
finesse and understated sensitivity. Meanwhile, Campbell has
written some of the best songs if his career, singing them with a rare
passion. Judging from the dark and weary tone of most of the
songs, its easy to hear that Campbell has been through a rough personal
time. The imposing quiet yet forceful nature of songs like "Sorrytown"
and "Pacific" are offset by the mountain stomp of "Rosabelle" and the
energetic country rock flavored "Sad Truth." Underneath it all,
Campbell sings about the bewilderment life often hands us, and the need
to break those chains and emerge even stronger. As he sings on the
disc's brooding title track, "When love breaks through, I count on you,
to take me out of this place." American Breakdown is full of
similar moments and proves Campbell to be a rate songwriter, one with a
singular vision, a commanding way with words, and a knack for melodies
that just won't quit.
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