The LoneTones: Press/Reviews

What a charming little album!

The LoneTones' Nature Hatin' Blues sounds modest. But despite the album's title, most of the songs, 8 written by Steph Gunnoe and 5 by Sean McCollough, comment on the imperiled state of nature. Their relaxed pace gives the group's sound an ease, a placidity. Their melodies ring. The Knoxville, TN group is a gentle, peaceful delight.

LONETONES SHINE ON NEW CD

I am grateful for whatever divine force brought Steph Gunnoe and Sean McCollough together. In addition to their marriage and family, their union has also spawned incredibly beautiful original Americana music....

The Lonetones’ sophomore effort will not disappoint. There is plenty of what we’ve come to know, love and expect from the band, but their contemplative mood on “Nature Hatin’ Blues” demonstrates thoughtful growth in their new work. Diehard fans and new comers will not be disappointed.

(To read the entire review, click below.)

REVIEW OF NATURE HATIN' BLUES

The Lonetones occupy that most treacherous area of folk music - the dreaded land of the sensitive singer-songwriter. However, prejudices need to be swept aside for The Lonetones. The band's music is absolutely charming. The vocal songwriting core of the quartet is made up of married couple Steph Gunnoe and Sean McCullough. Although the couple write songs separately, they know just the right touch to add to the other's numbers. McCullough's guitar on "The Soil We Grew Up In" and his banjo on "Lonely Skin" are perfect complements to two of Gunnoe's best numbers, and Gunnoe's harmonies on McCullough's "Heart Shaped Box" flesh out one of McCullough's prettiest songs. And bassist Maria Williams and percussionist Phil Pollard add subtle accent to the songs' words and melodies rather than dominate them.

Gunnoe's voice has the sweetness of Nanci Griffith, without the preciousness. It's Appalachian and honest and never overused. Likewise, her melodies and lyrics are smart, catchy and distinctive. McCullough's song contributions tend to be a little more overtly folkie. However, they provide a good contrast to Gunnoe's works. His bittersweet portrait of living in Knoxville, "Shine On" (with uncharacteristic electric guitar), is instantly lovable.

Give The Lonetones a chance and you'll find yourself humming their songs despite yourself

PERFORMING SONGWRITER DIY TOP-12 PICK
Simple country melodies and beautifully executed three-part harmonies weave the songs on Useful together like a necklace of wildflowers.

Best of 2004 Ballots
• Useful: for top ten albums on Nashville Scene ballot
• “Little Thing”: for top ten singles on Nashville Scene ballot
• “Little Thing”: for top ten singles/radio cut on Village Voice ballot

RECORD REVIEW
Longtime Knoxvillian Sean McCullough and relative area newcomer Steph Gunnoe combine talents in the act the Lonetones with excellent results. The harmonies, both instrumental and vocal, are sweet, and the songs are charming. The two revive the innocence of the singer-songwriters of the early 1960s without becoming precious. McCullough has been in many band configurations, but, with Gunnoe, he may have found his perfect partner.