Reverb Reviews

1.16.08

All the Love You Need

By Ari Bendersky

Coming of musical age alongside jam bands
like Dave Matthews Band and Blues
Traveler can pigeonhole your sound with
potential negative repercussions. However,
Todd Park Mohr, aka Big Head Todd (he of
the Monsters) should not be written off so
quickly. The bluesy guitarist with the deep,
sultry vocals won over fans through
constant touring. Unfortunately, other than
diehards, many people forgot about this
Colorado-based outfit. With the release of
their eighth studio album, All the Love You
Need, BHTM is about to get reacquainted
with and introduced to a whole mess
of people. Following the lead of Radiohead
and Prince, BHTM is giving away 500,000
copies of the album through radio-station
partnerships and via free download on
their website (because they feel art should
be free). The 11 tracks build from the band’s
earlier oeuvre but don’t stray so far as
to turn off fans. Lead track “Her Own Kinda
Woman” thunders in, featuring aggressive
drums, funky New Orleans horns and
intricate, layered guitar riffs. “Cruel Fate”
introduces a playful country twang and
pedal steel. But the band is at their best
when bluesy and twangy, like on the
upbeat “Fortune Teller” or the buoyant
“How Easy” or “Spanish Highway,” likely
the album’s strongest song. Overall, this
is a band that time has sadly swept aside,
but this album again proves they shouldn’t
be overlooked.