Bonepony's release passes pop, but less than Iggy

No, this is not a remake of the classic Iggy and the Stooges album from the early 1970s. Quite the opposite, in fact. Instead of the Stooges' distorted, wailing guitar noise, there's a laid-back yet invigorating acoustic fare from Scott Johnson (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Nicolas Nguyen (guitars and bass) and Tramp (fiddle and mandolin).Yes, that's right, Tramp. As if the rock world needed another lame, one-word name.\nAnd there's yet another gimmick -- the CD's sleeve is made out of hemp. It's true. The band even urges listeners to "use it." Far out, man. \nAnd the music? Eh, we can take it or leave it. Fun House represents Bonepony's third release, and the band's first live CD. Recorded at concerts in Tennessee, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, much of Fun House is run-of-the-mill, happy-go-lucky acoustic-rock niceness that, at the very least, won't put you to sleep.\nThe album works best when Tramp (how come I shudder every time I use that name?) is displayed prominently, giving the music a strong and effective Celtic feel. Still, even on that count, there are better bands out there. (Three words: Great Big Sea).\nThe album's high and low points come with the same song, the 10-minute-plus "Feast of Life." The cut is a smorgasbord of styles and influences; the band wisely appropriates a portion of Johnny Cash's seminal "Folsom Prison Blues" to liven up the thing.\nThe low point comes when, well, the song drags on for 10-plus minutes. What are we, Blues Traveler? I don't see any big fat guys with harmonicas, do you? It's not that Bonepony is a bad band. They're certainly better than three-quarters of the junk being played on popular radio today. \nBut then again, that's not setting the bar very high, either. I'll take Iggy any day.