After 15 years as songwriter and frontman for the alt. country / Americana band The Bean Pickers Union from Cambridge, Massachusetts, Chuck Melchin decided it was time for a reset.
At the same time, he decided his was not a cool enough name to use as a solo artist so formed a new band with the idea of heading in a fresh direction.
Specifically, after keeping on the shady side of the street for so long, Melchin wanted to tap into a more positive mood: “I wanted to create music that was a bit more upbeat. I wanted to make music that will make you want to drive your car faster.” It starts as it means to go on with the pedal to the metal rhythms of Belly To The Bar.
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The songs are full of recommendations for trusting instincts and taking chances. The Girl It Took The Universe is a jangly tune which praises patience (“I’m the man who had to wait”) while Wake Up Suzy is all about seizing the moment without getting bogged down by consequences,
The darker side of life is acknowledged in New Berlin but faced with resignation rather than desperation.
The barroom blast of Bulletproof Man ends proceedings on a defiant note. An example of blue sky thinking par excellence.
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