AMG Review of American Born

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

Unlike their other albums (which reflect their penchant for funk/punk/reggae tunes), Bargain Music's 2006 release American Born is a solo acoustic affair. Lead singer/guitarist Josh Fischel is featured front and center here, and despite the stripped down setting, his droll lyrics are still prominently on display throughout, as evidenced by such tracks as "Billy." However, almost half of the 11 tracks on American Born are cover songs (and quite an eclectic mix, to boot), including one of the album's highlights, Peter Tosh's "Till Your Well Runs Dry," as well as Tears for Fears' "Head Over Heels," the Who's "I've Been Away," and Lyle Lovett's "Family Reserve." For fans wondering if Fischel has ditched the rest of his Bargain Music mates in favor of a permanent solo/acoustic direction, the quartet remains intact, and plan to follow up American Born with a full-band release. But one thing that American Born makes clear once and for all, Fischel is the band's main man.