Bob Schneider

Don't tell Bob Schneider Texans only listen to country and rockabilly. An Austin songwriter with attitude and spice, Schneider leaves the stereotypes out to dry before climbing onstage. His first major label release as a solo artist, Lonelyland, is a dust storm of acoustic guitars, horns and brief beautiful female operatic vocals.\nAfter various bands and independently released titles, Schneider took on a solo career. This was a good move.\nSchneider does not have a problem with repetition. In fact, he mixes such a complex blend of different musical tactics I was left to wonder just where this guy learned to write. Instead of creating an album of songs that muck together under the same formula, he mixes the best qualities of many free-flowing forms.\nWith his acoustic guitar and smooth vocals, Schneider presents his soul under the guise of talent and style. Opening the disc with a mildly flavored rock type sound complete with keyboards and synchronized vocals, the title track sets the tone of the album. All of the other songs mix interesting techniques and personal lyrics for a hypnotic quality.\n"Bullets" opens with the line I gots to freak, I gots to flow to let the dance begin. Horns fill in the coolness while the rhythm section throws in the groove. Schneider's raspy vocals make the strut-funk mood complete. \nRight after letting out the swagger, Schneider tones it down a notch for "The World Exploded into Love," a quieter discourse on love that's fit for spring. \nThis is the game plan of the Lonelyland album: play song, go in entirely different direction than before, repeat. \nSchneider further eliminates the boredom problem with Latin influences and introspective lyrics. Singer-songwriter has taken on a new meaning with these tracks. \nSometimes the best music is undiscovered. Thankfully, this Lonelyland was.