With a name like Troutband, one might expect an album full of corny fishing tunes, the likes of which might be found playing during the opening credits of a Saturday morning tv fishing show. That is, unless you know that one of the minds behind Troutband is that of James Prosek, the "Trout" man himself.

After spending the past few weeks spinning their latest CD, Love For A Dollar, there is one particular aspect that I love about their music; it has absolutely nothing to do with trout or fishing!

I've long been a fan of Prosek's literary and artistic works, so I was curious to see what he and Joe Dochtermann had created in their latest musical release. Troutband started out as a coffeehouse band, and they stay true to those roots in Love For A Dollar with songs such as Good Morning and Bar Maids in Heaven. In addition, this album includes a heavy dose of other musical influences. From one song to the next there is often little in common, yet the album flows together beautifully. Not Suited For Anthems invokes images of a couple guys playing music on the tailgate of a pickup truck with its harmonica and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, whereas Gas Pump and Mission on the Ground have more of a college rock sound. Keeping tradition from their first album, the Troutband boys also threw a cover tune in the mix, this time with Jimmy Cliff's Sitting In Limbo.

Overall, Troutband has delivered an incredibly addictive album that you can enjoy without fear of it becoming played-out on the radio. For purchase information, drop an email to troutband@yahoo.com and tell them River and Reef sent you!