The Groobees

The Groobees, natives of Amarillo, TX, are an excellent pop-folk band with strong country leanings. Their eponymous debut album for Blix Street Records showcases excellent and tasteful ensemble performances. They are led by Susan Gibson's excellent vocals, which at times are reminiscent of a countrified Mary Travers. Very nice. The band is a five-piece, and the arrangements are augmented by excellent playing from Scott Mellot, who switches effortlessly from keyboards to guitars, which he often plays with Gibson and Gary Thomason. Gibson's songs are well-crafted, highly personal country-pop affairs, with just a hint of funky rock & roll to keep the whole thing moving forward. "Wide Open Spaces," a song written by Gibson (which ended up on their self titled second release), was recorded by fellow Texans the Dixie Chicks and went on to be a country hit, eventually winning a CMA award in 1998. Buy One Get Eleven Free followed in early 2001. ~ Matthew Greenwald, All Music Guide