REVIEWS, THOUGHTS & OPINIONS

From EDITOR, http://www.smother.net
"Politically toned pop rock that casts aside notions of simple themes for bigger, better, and gratuitous lyrics that are not just well sung but extraordinarily cerebral. But getting people talking about the issues and stories and tales that are weaved in and around "Talking with the Dead" isn't the only subject worthy; the music itself is very compelling. The bouncing between female and male vocals is nifty and offers more transcendental reflections. It's not often that independent music by a duo gets you thinking about all sorts of things so when it comes around you've got to really hang on and pay full attention."  

From Rambles, Nicky Rossiter
published 2 April 2005
"The sound of the Rusticators is an eclectic combination of many genres from pop to traditional, but the result can best be described as "great." The lyrics are well written and on most tracks are messages to anyone living in the modern world.

This CD of 13 tracks -- it's amazing how many albums have that superstitious number of songs -- is a brilliant showcase of this talented duo of Chris Amsler and Abbey Linfert, with all the numbers coming from the performers, jointly or as solo writers.

One of my favourite songs, "Journey to War," is an beautiful evocation of how the wars we see so blandly on TV impact the participants. It reminds us that the casualty, physical or emotional, from either side is a human being just like you or me.

"Wicked Ways" is a fascinating song about unfaithfulness and betrayal. The power of words is evident on "Jersey Street." You can visualise the scene, feel the heat and tension of meeting and the joy of companionship.

The title track, "Talking with the Dead," is a strangely upbeat song. On first hearing I thought it was a modern take on "The Lover's Ghost," but then I wondered if the person is dead or just gone. It certainly bears close attention and is a very melodious track. The ambiguity continues into "Son of Mine." It sounds like a letter from the afterlife to a child from departed parents, but it is far from maudlin. Then again, is it a father who simply deserted the child? The magic is that you do not know.

On the final track, "Silver Toes," we are not in such doubt. This song is dedicated to Paul Olsen and, with lines like "We miss you down here, wisecracks and the kindest heart, you still make us smile," it certainly sounds like a tribute to a lost friend who has gone to better things.

The entire album is a joy to hear. The lyrics, production and performances are top class and deserve to be heard by a wide audience."

Shut Eye Records
"We always enjoy listening to new music in the mornings and your collection of Americana sounds were a perfect compliment to our tastes in music....I absolutely loved 'Silver Toes'.  This song is a timeless representation of American ideas about life and thereafter.  It is upbeat and sweet which draws the listener in.  The sounds are both rich and enchanting.  Very cool.  I also enjoyed the keys injected 'Talking with the Dead'.  With vocals reminiscent of the Indigo Girls and the jamming that ensues with the various instruments, a true good time has been created!  Thanks for the treats for my ears.  I greatly, greatly appreciate the tunes!"

 "Talking with the Dead" 
   $10 ~ ORDER TODAY    

HIGHLIGHTS of RUSTICATORS' AIRPLAY
 AROUND THE GLOBE

A BIG THANKS to the DJs and stations who are supporting The Rusticators'
musical efforts by playing our music!

IN NORTH AMERICA
CFBX, Kamloops, B.C., Canada
CJLX Sunday Coffee House,Belleville, Ontario, Canada
CKCU, Window of Opportunity, Kanata, ON, Canada 
CKLN, Acoustic Routes, Toronto, ON, Canada
KAXE, Grand Rapids, MN
KEDM, AmericanaRama, Monroe, LA
KEOS, Hickory Wind, College Station, TX
KDVS, The Saturday Morning Folk Show, Davis CA
KKUP, New Wood, Santa Clara, CA
KKUP, Friday Folk-Off, Santa Clara, CA  
KMUD, Wild River Folk, Redway, CA
KMXT, Acoustic Music Hour, Kodiak, AK
KPFT Roark in the Afternoon, Houston, TX
KPRG, Folk Wave, Mangilao, Guam
KSMU, Moraga, CA
KSUA, Talkeentna, AK
KUAC, Fairbanks, AK
KUNV Women's Voices, Las Vegas, Nevada
KUSP, Dreaming of Babylon, Santa Cruz, CA
KZFR, The Lonely & The Damned, Chico, CA
M4Radio, Kissimee, FL
Penguin Radio, San Rafael, CA
Utah Public Radio, Fresh Folk, Logan UT
WBGU, The Folk Music Show, Bowling Green, OH
WBRS, Phat Pholk, Waltham, MA
WDIY, Meanderings with Truman Ingalsbe, Allentown, PA
WIAA, Interlochen, MI
WICN, Contemporary Café, Worcester, MA
WJUL, Almost Acoustic, Lowell, MA
WSIU, On the Edge, Carbondale, IL
WUWG, Appalachian Trail - Vaguely Folk Music Show, Carrollton, GA
WXXE, Radio Liberation Front, Syracuse, NY
WZBC, Sunday Morning Country, Boston, MA

IN EUROPE
Radio Milo, Somewhere Between. Leopoldsburg, Belgium
Planete Indie, Etalle, Belgium
BCB Radio, West Yorkshire, England
Fenland Studios, Lincolnshire, England
Radio Lynn, FOLKUS, Norfolk, England
Folks & Roots, Lahiradio, Helsinki, Finland
Ems-Vechte-Welle, Germany
Folk & Country Corner, Germany
WWCM, World Wide Country Music, Internet Europe
Clanrye Radio, Newry, County Down, Ireland
Sounds from the New West, FreeRadio, Waterford, Ireland
The Jolly Roger, Waterford, Ireland
Radio Voce Spazio, American Folk & Roots, Alessandria, Italy
Alt Country Cookin' , Radio Winschoten, The Netherlands
Crossroads, The Netherlands
Folk Roots, The Netherlands
Radio Fedra, Serbia & Montenegro
La Otra Musica, Cadiz, Spain
RadioB92, Yugoslavia

IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Acoustic Music, Moruya Heads, Australia
Blue Country, Logan City, Queensland, Australia
Come All Ye, Bathurst, Austraia
Focus on Folk, Sydney South, Australia
Only Folking, Subiaco, W. Australia
Plains FM, Christchurch, New Zealand
The Folk Show, 5UV Radio, Adelaide, S. Australia
Town & Country, New Zealand, Belmont, New Zealand

Email us if you hear our tunes on any station not listed above.
Please put "AIRPLAY" in the subject.  Your help is appreciated.