CD Review
    The Snakehips
    This is Hip Music
    (Independent)
    by Lisa Gault
    Review date: May 2002
    1999 KBA Award Winner
    Achievement for Blues on the Internet
    Presented by the Blues Foundation
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    blues picture Mastered in Memphis and engineered in St. Paul, the Snakehips album, "This is Hip Music" rings of Southside Johnny meets Daisy Dillman! (Remember the Daisy Dillman Band?) While this is not a true blues CD, the album is intriguing, fun and worth a listen!

    Kip Mertens sets the style for the Snakehips, with his raw yet tender vocals, which are reminiscent of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. The opening song, "Jumping on the Moon" is a great little dance tune! The rhythm section of Joe Dowdall, Matt Frid. Greg Johnson and Eric Strom serve up a strong opening set! The band plays with excitement and confidence, setting the stage for a solid set of songs. "Dad's New Teeth" is a fun rhythm and blues tune, and a little humor in the lyrics adds a little fun. "Lies That the Gypsy Tells" is a strong song, with a memorable, haunting melody.

    Guest musician Peter Ostroushko adds some lively strings on several of the songs. He mirrors guitarists Pat Lesney and Jon Shaffer on "Saint Croix" then winds around Mertens' vocals. His mandolin playing on the last track, "The Blue Window" adds a delicate layer of sweetness to this slow ballad. Mertens' vocals are especially strong on cuts like, "My Time" which is almost anthem-like. The guitar and bass playing are also solid on this tune.

    The Snakehips' album, "This is Hip Music" features a variety of tunes, ranging from ballads to rhythm and blues....to a touch of country meets Elvis! This band would be great fun to catch live sometime!

    Web site: www.snakehips.org

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