January-February 2001
Beaver Nelson: Little Brother
By David Greenberger, No Depression

The second album by Austin's Beaver Nelson is a subtle charmer. Its scruffily rocking grooves are completely honest, with the opening two tracks, "Fallen Down" and "Your Little Girl" playing the congenial host, wooing you in through the door.

Once he's gotten your attention with the earthy honky-tonk bred riffs, Nelson dims the lights and quiets down for the melancholy beauty of "Scattered". On that song in particular, as well as on others, he pushes his voice into places just out of his reach. Far from falling on his face, he underscores the heart of the song's emotional core. As he leaps to a higher register, his voice thins down to its essentials, bearing the words he's come miles to deliver, through wind and cold.

Free from affectation, the songs are sturdy and durable. The small combo accompanying Nelson (guitarist Scrappy Jud Newcomb, bassist George Reiff, drummer Mark Patterson) plays everything through the filter of what's best for the song.