Even before seeing the publicity shots you just know that Jeff Crosby is going to be a bearded long haired dude, clad in denim and check shirts.
He was born and raised in Idaho and is now resident in Nashville although he's not home much as he plays around 250 shows a year.
He's a wherever I lay my hat, Kid Rock kind of guy; happy to drift and turn journal entries into songs over the first coffee of the day. The results are predictably steeped in nostalgia and a unwavering love of the American dream.
He explains that the Magdalena of the album title "is a modern hippie who loves the beach and smoking joints. You can find her dancing in the rain".
You can also admire her "swimming in the ocean, living in the moment" on the opening track - Best $25 I Ever Spent - "wearing nothing but skin, cocaine and a sunhat".
Crosby's retro sound is rooted in a vision of a land where freedom equates to a steady supply of dope, good beer, fine babes and a vehicle always on hand to transport him to the next destination.
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The songs display uncritical patriotism : "I'm dreamin American dreams in the ocean of desire known as the western world" he sings on What Stories, What Light.
One song is called Sunrise Over Iceland (For Lois) but even in this different location he can still be found smoking grass and discussing the merits of The Grateful Dead.
Personally this brand of blue collar rock bores me to tears but if you share his idealized view of the U.S of A as the centre of the universe then I guess you'll be happy to add this as a side order with your burger and fries.
Jeff Crosby's website
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