The best singing and songwriting partnerships involve a respectful give and take, whether it's in the trading of lyrical or melodic ideas, an exchange of guitar riffs, or the blending of vocal harmonies. More than 25 years ago, Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas initiated such a partnership in Waukesha, Wisconsin when they formed the BoDeans. As front men for what would become one of America's premier rootsrock bands, the duo forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies, and ringing guitars. The distinct sound of the BoDeans first emerged on their critically acclaimed debut, "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams," which saw production by the legendary T-Bone Burnett. Released on Slash/Warner Bros. in 1986, the album reached #115 on the Billboard charts and quickly propelled the group into the national spotlight. This initial success for the BoDeans would soon be surpassed by their 1987 release, "Outside Looking In," which broke into the Billboard Top 100. A tour with U2, an appearance on Robbie Robertson's self-titled debut solo album, and being named "Best New Band" by Rolling Stone magazine that same year only added fuel to the group's already-blazing fire.
As if to verify the status they had achieved, the BoDeans went on to release yet another Top 100 best-seller, 1989's "Home." The record was followed by "Black And White" in 1991, and by 1993, there was an urge for the group to return to their roots. The BoDeans decided to re-enlist T-Bone Burnett for the production of "Go Slow Down," which ultimately yielded the "Party of Five" theme song, "Closer to Free." In 1996, around the time their sixth studio album, "Blend," was released, "Closer To Free" found a home in Billboard's Top 10. The song catapulted the BoDeans to even greater heights, and earned an ASCAP award for being one of the most played songs at radio that year.
After releasing both a "best of" and a "rarities" collection in the early 2000s, the BoDeans returned in 2004 with "Resolution" on Rounder/Zoe. The album's single "If It Makes You" quickly jumped into the Top 10 where it resided for several weeks, and further confirmed the Wisconsin group's national significance.
