Strohm makes Caledonia his most distinct and musically fulfilling work to date, and you might never know it was the same person if you didn't see his name on the cover. Here, Strohm throws his sombrero into the Americana ring, and it lands dead in the center, earning him instant legitimacy in the Triple AAA/Americana genre. Strohm and his band set up fam'Powderkeg'), including buckets of guitar, pedal steel and fiddle, yet songs like 'Slip Away,' 'Tangelo' and 'Freightliner' are so well-written and catchy with tangible pop undertones (not unlike the rootsy rock of Pete Droge and Dan Baird), that they leave Caledonia to shine brightly in the growing crowd of generic, formulaic bands. Guests include ex-bandmate Freda Love (whose band, Mysteries Of Life, is releasing a 7' on the same label) and Lisa Germano, but it's the wondrous songs, which become less honky-tonk and more pop by the album's end, that will make this as sweet and digestible as anything from yourf avorite Americana songwriter. Caledonia is an instant contender: 'Someone Besides Me,' 'Backseat Driver' and the beautifully tender 'See You Around.' - Glen Sansone: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 506 - Jan 27, 1997
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