The following review by Nick West appeared in issue 48 of BUCKETFULL

OF BRAINS Spring 1997:



TOM STEVENS "Another Room" Maia Records CD MR04



A splendid piece of Americana here from Tom Stevens, recorded in 1995

and released on Maia early last year.  The former bassist from the

Long Ryders, now a bit of a guitar maestro, fronts a three-piece with

Howard Hilliard II on bass and Jet Redd on drums.  Ex-Green On Red

Jack Waterson produces, replaying a favour: Stevens played on Jack's

solo "Whose Dog".



"Another Room" puts us in the territory closer to Dave Alvin than Sid

Griffin but Stevens shows a mastery of the whole tapestry of

'American Music' across the fifteen songs on this collection.  He's a

great songwriter, an intelligent lyricist, and there's really no

slack or padding in evidence.



There's a hit single waiting to be discovered in 'It's Alright', as

neat a slice of psychedelic pop as you're likely to be served up

these days.  A bow to his former compadres in 'In Betweens'; he calls

it a "post-Long Ryders drinking song" and it's the only tune that

patently has that ensemble's imprimatur over it.



The spirit of Mr. Dylan makes itself felt on a couple of tunes. 'Get

There From Here' begins with vocal inflections last witnessed in

'Yeah Heavy And A Bottle Of Bread', down in that there basement,

before turning into a country-tinged number bound to touch the heart

of those who love Jolene and Wilco.  'Too Much To Lose' is a road

song coming straight from a Buick 6 and that could be Mr. Bloomfield

riding shotgun.



Lastly two slow songs worthy of particular note.  'Anything For You',

a emotive love song that wouldn't have been out of place on "Beggar's

Banquet" and really shows Primal Scream how it should be done.  And

'Young Man In Prison' a heartfelt song of regret for a guy who's

banged up, either because he's been framed or because he's guilty of

something that shouldn't be illegal.



This record is a typical example of the hidden gems on the bi-ways of

American music.  You wonder whether these people are too talented for

their own good.  Tom Stevens is worth the searching out and we wait

excitedly for his new album due any day now.