1995
1996
AllMusic Review by Stephen Cramer
The Simple Ones (bassist Jim McDermott, drummer Roy Berry, and guitarist/singer Jared McStay) had humble beginnings in the band's home of Memphis, TN. Their debut full-length, Worth the Weight,
was released in 1995. After the short instrumental first track, "Hubba
Hubba," the sly coolness of "Rift City" and "The Wrath of God" introduce
the listener to the Simple Ones and their reserved and relaxed variety
of mid-'90s southern indie rock. Taking some obvious cues from fellow
Memphis band the Grifters (Tripp Lamkins of the Grifters makes an appearance on the disc), Worth the Weight
was a debut that showcased the band's confident and unpolished sound.
The distortion and fuzzy sounds are slightly cleaner than the Grifters, but the focused and playful attitude hidden behind the sound is easily comparable to the Grifters.
The pace finally slows down on the sixth song, "Left in Space." The
song features modest acoustic guitar at the beginning, with more
instruments being added to the mix throughout. The song is followed by
the distorted instrumental "Disco Infernal." The disc hits its stride on
tracks 11 and 12 with the songs "Ms. Ogyny" and "T-Shirt (Hell on
Wheels)." The band's calm yet rollicking musical demeanor is seemingly
effortlessly executed, which is admirable. The catchy "Toothpaste" was
previously a single on Shangri-La Records. The disc comes to a close
with the inventive and chaotic "Clearly, Hebert." The album was recorded
at Easley Studios in Memphis, in addition to other locations.
Worth The Wait
Two Cups For A Tale
Worth The Wait
Tracklist
| 1 | Hubba Hubba | |
| 2 | Rift City | |
| 3 | The Wrath Of God | |
| 4 | Drunken Kiss | |
| 5 | Pen | |
| 6 | Left In Space | |
| 7 | Disco Infernal | |
| 8 | On My Nerves | |
| 9 | Watch This Sucker (Come On, Let's Go!) | |
| 10 | Jim's Total Hell | |
| 11 | Ms. Oygyny | |
| 12 | T-Shirt (Hell On Wheels) | |
| 13 | Pleasure Finger | |
| 14 | Toothpaste | |
| 15 | Chains, California, USA | |
| 16 | Clearly, Herbert |
Two Cups For A Tale
Tracklist
| 1 | Forget You | |
| 2 | Minutes To Play | |
| 3 | We Are ... | |
| 4 | Nathan Bedford, What Has Become Of Your Tan? | |
| 5 | Dealing For Now! | |
| 6 | Heavy-Lidded | |
| 7 | Three Point Two Percent Sorry | |
| 8 | Star Machine | |
| 9 | Speak In Tongues | |
| 10 | They're Everywhere | |
| 11 | Testosterone | |
| 12 | Found The Answer | |
| 13 | Archipelago | |
| 14 | Sick And Tired |
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