Let's start with the cover, a night-time photo of dozens of dolls and statues on the hood of a red pickup truck. The cover is five panels long (four folds). Sounds like country rock, southern rock, western rock, or southwestern rock. That narrows it down pretty well. "Hold Me Girl" actually sounds like The Knack. "Talk Louder" is reminiscent of Commander Cody (you're getting old, Bob), or ’50s southern rock. (Commander Cody is from the '60s - I'm not that old.) "Dreams Die Hard" sounds like something you’d hear at night on the range. As I describe these tunes, I will add here that they are all good, so far - but no hits yet.

"Angelina" is a hit, southwestern punk (new Bob category number seven). "Kept Woman" is good ’ol country rock. "Firewall" is (new Bob category number eight) western punkabilly. Check out the super oscillating vibrato bar. Track seven sounds like it could be a Stones renaissance acoustic instrumental. I think I hear a clavichord or harpsichord. The card says there is a timpani in there. "After You Left Me" could be Seger soft rock. "Buick City Blues" has a sort of blues sound. "’65 Tempest" is ZZ Top-meets-The Eagles.

The last tune is another good country rock tune. Cidy Zoo is a must for any serious country rock collector. If the songs don’t get you, the categories will.

Bob D (Jam Rag Magazine - vol. XIII February, 1998)

Jam Rag Magazine

This album really struck a chord with me, going back to my rock roots with the likes of ZZ Top and Ted Nugent. A definitely first-class album all the way. This is one of the best produced pieces of work to come out of Michigan. The instrumental work on "Dreams Die Hard" and "25 Strings" sounds clean and clear, and blends well into cuts like "After You Left Me." The final cut "Punks" really rounds out this album with a hard driving rocker that will make anyone want to listen to this album again and again.

SH - (Jam Rag Magazine)